The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-03-01

80 Hs tSeHfSi1Fuft Is stoW III aSSiothS ebC soeS
OF the proposition now before IL. for the con-
sideration of which, be II remembered, 1t was
originally called together. 1t IL, no doubt,
proper that it should i,~thus. The case should
be thoroukhly studied. Every member should
make himself we'll acquainted with all It's in
ciients, and all IT'S bearings. Investigation,
thus far, has proved emiuen,ly serviceahie
toit. 1t Aas been established that the COM
panv is not only abund1ntiy able to execute
this work but any ether work of quadruplc
its magnitude. II has been proved that 1t is
one of the richest as sociaions IN the world
Tha; IL commands the entire confidence OF the
French Government, hae been shown by the
report of Mr.. PAIL, and by many other pieces
of testimony which have been before the Com
mittee. That the parties are able to complete
the work the French Minister al Washington
has added his testimony to that already
alluded TO, to prove. The idea of lis
ocing "Eumbug' is, therefore, an ex-
ploded idea. One hundred millions of
hard dollars do not look like hunbug. That
objection, can 70 logger be relied on
Inc only other is The hold which II is feared
France viii obtain here. by means of this con
tract. II is hard TO deal with such a fear as
this. 1t is Ike the old notion that the United
Englishmen held urge amounts Of stock
fhiT w open. books of subscription tomorrow
for James River stock, and assuredly we
should be glad to hear that it was all taken
We should not be apt 10 enquire whether the
Jakers We're Frenchmen or Americans The
money the thing in such cases The
Frenclman's hundred francs the English
mans -four pounds and the American S TWEEN ty
ldlI ~
are all money, and one is just as good as the
other. The French Government would have
no more interest here than it would have in
any other case where the capital Of its cit-
zens is largely Interested. If we expect
foreigners never 20 take any OF our stocks we
had best stop ali improvements at once.
Upon the merits OF the scheme, in SO far as
IFS results may be anticipated, we have dwelt
until we have become almost ashamed of our
own earnestness. We regard them of iayalu-
able Importance. We can sec reason why
this canal, if sufficiently wide, sufficiently
deep, and sufficiently well managed, should
not command the entire trade of the great
West, Of the Northwest, and of the South
west 10 great exiont. Let any man look a
the country, and he viii see that we do not
speak without probabilities to back us. As
unues 10 be as dangerous as il is-as long as
Lake Erie and the Erie Canal continue to be
frozen up six months in the year, so long will
the trade which they now command hang
trembling in the balance, ready to follow the
hrstrival route that shall present itself That
route is the James River and Kanawha i'm
provement-cheap, safe short, leading to ports
of unrivalied capacity.
We hold this truth TO be self-eyident: That
the State OF Virginia never can be developed
TO lis full capacity until n city shall have
grown up in its eastern quarter which shall
be able to dispose of all its resources This
city must grow as these resources are devel
oped. There must be &c ton and reaction The
development Of resources builds up the city
and the exigeacies OF the city timulat e further
development of resources. Give Virginia the
trade which this canal will command--at Nor
folk, or al York, or some where upon the deep
waters, there will be great commercial city.
1t Will receive and dispose of all the resources
of Virginia. 1t Will stimulate production to
the highest point possible.
We hope the Legislature, when ii does act
will settle this QGestion-so important 10
every part of Firginia--iH 4 manner that shall
ensure her future greatness