Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-03-17
- . -
Norfolk,

Norfolk.
A few days ago We quoted an extract from
Detroit paper, in which allusion was made to the
recent increase in the trade between that city and
foreign ports. We called the attention ofthe Nor
folk merchants to it. and suggested that littc
more enterprise among them would secure for
Norfolk oil the benefits in this respect that De
.roit 10 now rearing. To this article Of ours
the Norfolk Hrild after copying it, replies as
follows:
Such disparaging remarks MS these from jour-
nal occupying the respectable position the Lynch
burg Virginian does, and circulating extensively
in that particular section OF the State from which
by her new railroad connections, Norfolk is to de-
rive the resources for building her commerce are
to say the ioast exceedingly inconsideratc and do
great injustice to our merchants. If Norfolk had
deserved the character here given her for "lamcn-
table lctharyy and morbid drowziness" she would
/ not have burthencd herself with debt of n mil
lion and half, under which her people are liter
ally 'groaning" in order to open avenues Of trade
with the South and West Nor Gun her mer
clients he Justly charged with incrtness and lack
If enterprise; have their commercial operations
been upon diminutivc n SCALE our Lync',hurg
Icotemporary perhaps imaginca they nrc. II Is
true we have no heavy capitalists with means 10
enable them to purchase large cargoes of produce
aud load ships on long voyages to Europe; SIMPLY
because heretofore capital could not advantageous
liz command the produce necessary for such orcra-
tons and the impolicy Of our State in taxing COM
merca capital and enterprise 100 heavily, 1t has
not driven them away hns certainly prevented
their accession tn our city;-but We hop" To con-
vince our friend Of the Vingininn by few facts
and statistics we shall give hereafter that he has
conceived n very erroneous idea If the business
aud enterprise of our city; which, being iairly
l,n. al
will DO admitted to bring her no disrrcdit and if
her commerce does not increase with her conncc-
ton with n thousand miles Of railroad after there
In, been full time 10 test the experiment. the fail
ure must be beyond the possibility Of her correct
ing it.
Our contemporary will certainly acquit us, wo
think, of any intention to do injustice to Norfolk.
| II our columns. for tho last two years. have not
given evidence OF interest in the prosperity of
that city, and our desire to her occupy her
true commercial position, We shall despair If ex-
hbting it in any mode whatever. Without any
special interest in Norfolk or her fortunes, In
simply rs Nirginiaus. anxious to secure for ir-
gna that commercial importance which nature
Intended for her and which of right belongs to her,
We have laborcd, with more Of zeal than of abil
,ty perhaps, to direct attention to Norfolk rs the
best point upon the southern Atlantic Scnl'oard
for the distribution If both our exports aud cur
imports,
When, therefore, in all hin.no~s. ia we said
i'll our first article, We pointed t" IT," enternrse of
pc,roit-an inlnndc,y fifteen hundred n'lcs from
the Oceanby way If stimulating the merchants of
Norfolk to greater activity, we bad No idea IF
being met with the reproneh Of 'nconsideiatc-
ness and 'iniustce." We had no expectation
that our good intentions would lie ,eprcl in n
spirit Of resentment Pcrlnp, it will teach us to
be more careful. ia th- future NOT To allow our
kindly feelings in behalf ofa Virginia city. and
our disnterestcd concern for her prospcriy,tohur-
ry us into the indiscie elton of suggesting hat We
may consider promotye Of her welfare
We beg to assure our contemporary OF the Her.
a'' that we are not unmindiul or gnorant Of the
enterprise Of Norfolk in everything that pertains
10 domestic trade We venture to say that no en-
zen of Norfolk read with greater care aud inter
est than we did the las, Annual Report .! the
Board of Trade Of that city. We are aware of the
increase in her domestic trade but, in view of
the fact that Detroit is conducting prni,ahlo
business with foreign ports. in those very articles
which Norfolk could tho most easily secure, We
are clearly Of the opinion that it indicates some
what fan indifference toher own interests to per
nit the opportunities. viii h she has, to 60 uniln-
proved Perhaps the terms employed To ex-
press our opinion may have bc"n stronger than
,he occasion called for--but the UerdM will sure
~ agree with us that he is always our hes, friend,
who lin all kindness" tells Of what he may
slider our faults.