Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-10

ckn.s but he soon got fairly under way and presented
many enter aiming and stubborn reasons in favor OF the
road He was followed by Mr.. Clifford, whose clear To-
pic, and irresistible speech of itself suhcient 70
stem overthrow and subdue the most determined opec
tions that could be urged Col. Forbes followed with
the assurance that Mr. G. had expressed his sentiments
Col Bondurant gave his views in his usually empnauc
and forcibe Then came several others messfs
Royal, Woodbridge, DIR. Robinson, Col HUBBARD Ed ..
Brown &c &C. Everything was for the Railroad, not
breath against it. Courteous debate calm deliberation
and united action marked the whole proceedings
From among a number Of letters, each breathing
shirt of sympathy and cordial good will for the great
scheme under contemplation Col Forbes read the iolow
ing and they ordered to be published with the Sec
rttary's report: 49,, ,o,o
entlemen-Engagement in another part OF the State
which have long neglected now demand my presence
there and would render my attendance on your propo
ed meeting in Buckingham, 4th July, so very incon-
yenent that must throw myself your indulgence for
being absent occasion OF 80 much interest," botn
as citizen of Richmond and citizen oil virginia, and
"a far more in the latter character than the former as
local interests should in my view, be always suoord-
nate to general interests, warmly sympathize win your
objects You will not doubt how truly, when venture
to revive the recollection that long ago as the rst
meeting of the present James River and Kanawha Com
pany offered in il resolution for the survey Tor
railroad the very route which now after the lapse Oh
more than 20 years. felt length TO be the true
one required by the best interests of the
The ayowed purpose was should the survey and equr-
cd report of the advantages and disadvantages oil the
competing plan Of Improvement prove satisfactory to d.
rect the and energies Of the company at any rate
In the first instance to the construction Of s very line
of railroad nop msditated from Richmond 10 Lynch
6o in lieu of the canal Whether IL should Afterwards
be prolonged as a great central stem, to New River,
thence southwest to the Mississippi at Memphis, and
northwest to the Ohio at or near the mouth OF the IA
nswha superseding the canal If competent to do its
n construction and success,
was TO be reserved for that wiser and decision which
results should afterwards recommend In either case It
was my conviction that this very railroad to Lynchourg
was the work to begin with. The resolution was the
subject of two days discussion participated in by my
brother Judge Robertson Judge Norborne Nicholas aud
others for it. and Mr. Cabel and Mr. Chapman johnson
against it-and defeated BY the signal vote OF some
500 in favor to some or 5000 against But the true
opinions OF many who voted are not correctly shown by
the record If my memory me, Col Rutherford
and Col Muuford being the majority of the proxies Of
the city, who heard the discussion were overrued in
their Judgment by got up instructions Of the City Coun
Gil that had not beardi and though DR.. Brockenbrough
cast the vote Of the Virginia Bank against the reso'
luton vet it was with his full and active concur
renee that l offered it, and his vote not, as |
learned from himself given from any change Of
his original opinion, but because voting last,
az chairman, and after the result was decid-
ed he deemed il best for the interests Of the Bank
and the country that it should be settled, so au-
thoritavely as 10 terminate all doubt and dstrust
about the earnest prosecution Of the work think the
gentlemen referred TO- and whose opinions were thus
overruled when they voted, cast about 1900 votes,
which would have given some 1000 as the minority
vote on the proposition submitted and will add, that
Mr. Johnson who cast vote Of upwards Of 5000, while
still stating that he adhered to the opinion, which he
had for many years entertained of the superior recon-
menda.ions of canal Improvement, said he felt doubt
and perplexity the subject he had never expected
to entertain The OCCASION which assemblies you, would
/ 7 A. nntn nfahl n a
cence il brings back very forciby TO me- some long past
incidents touching the project you have now again
on foot
The lapse of twenty-five years. and their accumulated
experiences have not changed my convictions that the
then advocated would have been best Tor tue
State though il has at the tme solved Tor me the
doubts then entertained, whether the railroad might
not fully supply the place. and do the work OF the canal,
and satisfied that however, by means OF the former
our beloved State might well attain TO high provincial
importance yet the imperial power and consequence
which to be within her destiny, can alone be
achieved through the fundamentally OF an adequlte
through water line from the James 10 the Ohio stu,
the most direct railroad line to the Southwest Is in my
Judgment now more than ever the need of the State,
and capital necessity for Richmond It's construct Ca
can be but question Of time. The time has been, I'M
doubiedy but let slip. The burdens OF the State
were then comparatively light, the resources OF Rich
mond comparatively untaxed much OF the capital oil H.
dlyduals that might have been commanded for It, has
gone into rival lines that never couid nave oceh ou
had this been timely constructed Yet the time will have
come again. whenever the requisite capital eau be rails
ed IL is now, if that be done now. Now or when
soever that can be done for shall rejoice, as in
move in the right direction which turns aud applies the
means and energies OF people alone into the chan
nels on whose improvements depends the highest pros
perity of our State and checking that growing and
perncious disposition TO allow eyes TO be diverted
from our greatest welfare glory and strength ION which
every good citizen should fix them immortality BY the
multiarous influences aud importunate solicitations Of
private aud local interests.
| | am, gentlemen, very respectfully &c.,
| WYNDHAM ROBERTSON.