Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-11-10
The James River Canal.

II was stated In the report Of the President
OF the James River Canal that Governor PEIK-
POINT had written 10 the Governor Of e. West
Virginia on the subject Of the claims of the
French company 10 perfection oftheir incho-
ate rights, but that no answer had been re-
Ceived. Whether the answer has been recciv-
ed since, we are not aware. But the impor-
lance Of the subject renders US nervous, espe-
cially when we recollect that the scheme met
with considerable opposition in the Valley Of
the kanawha when it was first broached.-
What was the ostensible cause Of that opposi-
tion, We do not now remember. PriRa tacie,
any reasonable man would say, that Of all quar-
tiers of the country, that particular region was
the last upon earth TO be the nursery Of any
opposition whatever. Of all others, il is that
which would be most benefited byit. II is one
Of the most favored spots upon the continent.
It contains within itself indeed all the Gle
ments Of great empire. Its mountains abound
in minerals Of every description and its valley
are among the most productive in the Union.
It wants nothing but an outlet 10 the sea to
make It the garden spot OF the world, and this
Gus that we cannot conceive an adequate cause
for their rejection. Their dislike Of the scheme
is the more remarkable from the fact that the
people Of Kanawha had always looked forward
70 the union Of the eastern and western waters
with intense anxiety. Perhaps some doubt of
the ability Of the French company TO
realize their promises may have had its
influence. If such were the fact
at that time, there can hardly be any now.
we should think. The Company offers 10 de-
post q million Of dollars as security Tor faith
ful performance. If they finish the Canal in
the time proposed, they take up the money.
Ii they fail, they lose everything not only the
pledge deposited, but all the labor and expense
they may have been at. Under any circum-
stances, we should think, it would be well to
trv them, since nothing can be lost, sndall may
be gained by making the experiment. The
COMPANY. in the meanwhile is backed by all
the capitalists of France and Belgium, and By
the Emperor himself. There j., Of course,
no mortal enterprise Of which success can be
absolg.s!y predicsted, but we never heard OF any
which presented more chances Of success. o.
lection was made AT one time 10 the auspices
pnasr which the work was TO commence, name
IL those of the French Emperor. IL would, 1t
was said, open the door 70 his interference
in our domestic affairs, &c. We think the
late war will put an end to all fears OF foreign
influence or aggression for the next hundred
wears. NJ least. But if there be still any Jimid
enough 10 have their fears, we beg them 10 be
cornforted. No nation now in existence IS go
ing TO interfere with the domestic affairs OF the
United States. Nations-especially great ma
tions-are always towards, and being such,
sre. of course, always bullies, likewise. They
will snub, harrass threaten and endeavor TO
Cypress small nations like Greece or Mexico,
but they do not undertake such nations as this
If they can help it.
We cannot bring ourselves to believe that
the Legislature of Western Virginia will
seriously oppose this scheme. The interests OF
its constituents are too deeply compromised and
they understand them too we'll. II offers
facilities By which millions upon millions OF
tons Of Western produce may be brought 10y
the shortest and cheapest route 10 the seaooard'
Its influence upon production must be Ineon-
ceivably great. The wealth Of the country
must be advanced beyond imagination
Western Virginia must become the richest
country in the world. II can easily furnish
ten or twenty millions of bushels of coal, the
finest in the world, if it can find a market for
it. This Company offers market which will
absorb it all. Ii can furnish iron enough 10
supply the wants Of the whole world and this
Canal opens the way fer it 10 pass. 1t may
feed the world, if its lands be properly cult
waited and through this channel every barrel
Of -four, every bushel Of clover seed, every
pound of bacon, every COW, every sheep, every
OK they may have, may be transported, at al
most a nominal price, to any market in the
world. 1t is impossible TO imagine what
Western Virginia would become under the
benign influence of the Canal if carried out
in its just proportions. Birminghams and