The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-09-20

have nothing to do. If capitalists can be found
to adventure their money upon the construction
of canal TO connect the waters of the Chesapeake
with those Of the Ohio, we can applaud their
spirit even whilst we doubt their wisdom; and
we can readily understand how much advantage
such a work of internal improvement may be to
the State of Virginia. even though it should
prove losing investment to individuals But
when, more in sorrow than in anger, it is conf
IDENTIFY predicted, that in consequence of the con-
struction of this canal, Baltimore must inevitably
lose the trade Of the Great West and. with it the
chief source of her material prosperity, we can
afford to smile at the enthusiasm which leaps
TO such ominous, yet visionary conclusions.
1t Is popular fallacy to suppose that Figures
twill not lie.' We have seen them do so scores
of times, and are almost every day a witness TO
fresh instances of their exlbility in this respect.
We have not therefore, been very deeply moved
by the formidable array Of statistics by which q
Richmond contemporary has sought to demon
strae to the satisfaction of the inhabitants of that
borough the wonderful manner in which it is to
expand in the future, and to what an extraordi-
nary extent the resources of the Mississippi and
end. We know of but few instances wherein such
paper calculations have beet realized, and we
fear that those which are based upon the carrying
capacity of the James river and Kanawha Canal
partake far more of the speculative than the prac-
teal. 1t should, nevertheless, be satisfaction
to know that our Virginia contemporary really
''does not wish to see Baltimore killed" and we
certainly ought to be grateful, also, for the admis-
sion that her enterprise and publcsprt entitle her
to better fate" But somehow or other these COM
Portable assurances and condolences make no partc-
ular impression either way. We know that the
hare must be caught before it is cooked, and
discovered before it is caught-that the money
must be forthcoming before the canal is con-
structed, and the merchandise COLLECTED Uelore II
can be carried All these things take time,
and even when the canal is completed and the
boats are on it, and noble docks grace the harbor
of Norfolk, and line of Ocean Steamers ply regu-
larry between that port and st. Nazaire, we still
hope, with our sympathizng contemporary, that
Baltimore twill not be injured in the slightest de-
"gree." Nay, more; we are sufficiently sanguine
to believe, in spite of the Vaccinations of our con-
temporary to the contrary, that whatever tends to
increase the prosperity of Baltimore; notwith-
standing the surprising fact which we learn for
the first time, and which rather leads US to doubt
the evidence of our own eyes, that "only small
''coasting vessels can navigate the river on which
Baltimore is situated" With no uneasiness,
therefore, as to the consequences, we say, in all
seriousness, that we should rejoice to witness the
construction of what, if properly carried out,
would really be not only an excellent work in it.
self, but would assist very materially in develop
ing the great mineral resources Of the Old Do
minion. Our only fear is that the project will
fall through. Not that there may not be sincere
desire to consummate it; but because Of the diff
culties which have first of all to be surmounted,
and also in consequence of the extravagant lau-
dations with which the scheme is heralded.