Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-07-04
For the Enquirer.
RIcHMoND-HER POLITICAL IMPORTANCE.

aiouiH ai'' 'SipiSiiS " u. u
y great modern statesman. who for L long
while exercised controlling influence over
Southern opinion, compared great cities to be
sores on the body polite Large cities GER
tanly impo'eriSh distant States and provinces
with which they trade or hold intercourse. but
as certainly enrich and advantage the country
round about them. London absorbs much of
the wealth, the intellect and the mechanic and
artistic skill of Ireland, Scotland India and
of all nations with whom she deals. but IN.
crcases the wealth and prosperity of England
bv distributing at home what she has gained
from abroad. Paris, the centre of fashion.
taste and intellect, levics contributions from
the whole civilized world Paris is often call.
cd France. She deserves the name, for she
governs, and, in great measure, suStans
France. Many Of the little States OF Italy and
Germany have recently been, or are now.
mere city States, such as Venice, Genoa, Flo
renee, Rome, Naples, and the Hans Towns
All modern improvements in lOcomotlcn tend
10 revive ancient ideas and practices as TO cap.
ital cities by the facilities they afford 10 trade
and Capitalization. Every State and nation
must now have great capital city Of its own,
or become tributary to foreign cities with
which 1t deals
The part which cities have played in the
grand drama of human history, is familiar To
almost every one who reads. Indeed, the his
tory of mankind is little more than the history
of cities. Athens. Rome, Carthage, Corinth,
,'ineveh. Babylon, &c, are familiar instances.
1t i. however, capital cities-the seats Of gov.
crnment, not mere large towns--that deter.
Ia;nc the fate Of nations. Rome lost her 20.
i,,,,
was removed to Constantinoplc whilst the lat.
ter city repealed the nva>ions of barbarian>.
and survived Rome for almost thousand
years. Dublin was an attractive city 50 long
as ireland had the scmblancc Of domestic gov.
crnmcnt. Since the union with England, She
has sunk into insigniticancc Edinburgh at.
icctcd by like causes, is rapidly declining
The authors and statesmen the artistic. ne.
chanical and professional skill, the wealth, the
fashion and the intellect Of both Scotland and
Ireland seek homes in London. The greatness
Of lis capital not merely represents. but almost
constitutes the greatness Of nation.
The Greek word '1elis, city, and the Ia.
tin "ciccitus" State or city. ard "urJs,"
Town or city. with their compounds and de-
rlva,ions IN the various languages in Southern
Europe and Of England, such as politics.
'potencsS," policy civIi,y, citizen. ci,il-
cation, urbanity, metropolis, &c, show not
only that the ancicDtS deemed the city the
State but ting. bae moderns have followed OFT
the same ide;. De-:
Ignorance or neglect Of this important truth
will ruin any nation, by making il tributary
and dependent on foreign cities Private Ell.
tcrprise is not sufficient TO build up great capt
tails: and in both ancient and modern times Tex
ccpt in Amcrlca) to erect, people, tortity and
adorn the metropolis has ever been deemca the
first and most incumbent duty Of the govern
mcnt. il would be pedantic 10 cite examples
when they are 80 numerous and well known.
independent Of the historical authority
which admonishcS us that to give to Virginia
character, wealth, population intelligence ana
strength, We must build up metropolis whose
commerce. art science, learning. fashion, manu-.
featuring, mechanic and artistic skill, may
find an attractive home and remuneratvc em
plcyment independent Of these considera-
tons, Richmond, by the many and peculiar
advantages Of her locality, presents the strong
est argument and inducements TO steady per
sistcrce in that course of legislative action
which has been SO ably, zealously and fearless
" carried out by Governor Wise. Except
Philadelphia, the chief cities north of Rich.
mond are 50 situated aS to be rather great for
ci:n agencies and commercial depols, for drain
ing America of her wealth, skill and intellect,
than for centralising, cultivating, improving
and retaining at home whatever advantages We
possess Of natural origin and growth. The
country back Of those cities is like Ireland,
under the influence OF London. impoverished
hy them. In some measure they serve as
mere outlets to facilitate the escape Of wealth,
refinement, learning and fashion from the shores
of America to more attractive houses in Eu-
rope They help TO destroy national Seli'rc-
>pcct and national character, and to hold US in
bondage to European trade and capital. and to
European thought and fashion. II is desirable
not only 10 Virglnianize Virginia, but to Anne
ricanize America. Interior cities, schools, and
resorts for public amusement, promote these
objects, seaboard towns thwart them. Rich
mOnd is not only an inland city, calculated to
retain at home and build up domestic ntc-
rests. but is so situated that our vast cOntcm-
plated scheme Of internal improvements, by
concentrating within her, will most efficiently
promote and develop the interests of the rest
Of the State, beget domestic trade and in
tcrcourSe enrich us by n Southern and
South American trade, build up our Uni
verslty, our watering places, and our Wes-
tern mines and towns. and interchange the
fish and oysters of the East with the rich
products of the West In fine, keep our people
and cur wealth at home. At the same time,
she can command the many fine harbors Of the
Chesapeake, as readily rs Paris commands lla-
yre dc Grace; or Rome, Ostend. Some Euro
pcan trade we must have and Richmond
is the natural entrc-pot for the greater
part Of that trade, as it wcnds its course west
wartlly The railroads from the West that
will build up Richmond, will afford the
most direct and cheap routes for much Of
Western trade and travel to the East. There
are no first rate harbors South Of the Chcsa-
pcake, and these latter will be tributary to
Richmond. Besides she possesses unrvallcd
water power. has coal at her door, and abun.
dance Of the finest iron ore sufficiently hear to
her. She is availinS herself Of her many adj
vantagcs, is distinguished for her many and eX-
ccllcnt manufactures and is growing steadily
in wealth, skill, intelligence and population
She promises 10 become, III the not distant il-
ture, Just what Metropolis should be not
mere trading or manufacturing town, but the
representative, promoter, conductor and head
Of the industrial and intellectual interests and
pursuits Of the whole State.
lIcr Tennessee road and her Danvilie road
place her in favorable connection with the cot
ton Of the South. and part Of the tobacco,
grain. meat and mineral products of the West
She will receive the greatest impulse Of int,u-
cncc. from the Covington road when completed
for that will put her in direct connection with
Cincinnati, Louisville, ST. Louis and the most
wealthy and populous portion Of the Mississp-
pi Valley THIS great work is under the able
superintendent Of Mr.. Fisk, who, fully i'm.
pressed with the magnitude and Importance Of
the undertaking, is steadily and sklllfully pro-
crossing with it, in manner TO suIt
the purposes for which it is intended
1t is expensive and tedious to construct a
road with gentle curves and moderate grades
through the many ranges OF the ALE eshahy' YET
such road he is constructing. Such road Is
cheapest in the end, for heavy freiishts may DC