Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-10-03
WILMINGTON AND THE pnNInsuLA.


Wilmington is at the head, not only OF
Delaware, but of one of the finest peninsula.
on the continent Nestled in the bosom Of
the Atlantic States, and almost surrounded
by two beautiful bays, (the Delaware and
Chesapeake,) it has a singularly mild and
uniform climate, soil that is productive
when properly cultivated, and by it's location
ana natural advantages, it ought to, and will
be, in time the garden of the Atlantic Cities
FOR strawberry culture, trucking, and peach
growing, it has no equal short of California.
if it has there. Its facilities for reaching the
markets are good though not all that could
be desired. The two bays, with their nu.
merous arms and inlets, the Delaware and
Chesapeake Canal, and the Delaware Rail-
road, afford the principle facilities for reach.
ing the markets, and are a great advantage
to the producers and business men. The
Railroad has been the making of the State
or rather it has saved it from ruin, given a
new impulse to enterprise, and increased the
! price of land four-fold But still other faoin
, les are needed, and will soon be forthcom-
ing. Already the road is being extended
down the Peninsula to Annemessick bav.
and within eighty miles of Norfolk. with
which it is, to connect by steamers. This
route to the South is nearly one hundred
miles shorter than any other, has very easy
grades, is never disturbed by rains and
treshets, suffers but little from the action of
frost, and by its connections at both ends
will have all the advantages of great
thoroughfsre.
Such undoubtedly :, ~!I ae We are
assuFed by pA-7asl atiecssas. Ia, sxif,
trains vii as ~ ~ l.us H. ,es advantages
q our IFsi-class :-,tat ts.'Ssc iss travelling
public
IAis with the tacil!;iel already possessed,
will greatly stimulate native industry, and
draw many enterprising settlers from Other
States
Peach growing is rapidly increasing
Hardly any business pays SO we'll, where SC
little capital is required, and so little risl
involved, and there is no reason why 4
should not be trebled and quadrupled, il
connection with drying and canning, and al
increased consumption abroad, until Della
ware becomes, on grand scale, the peach
garden of the country. What she needs ant
no doubt will have in few years, is brancl
roads all the way down the Peninsula. con
Meeting the present road on either hand witt
the two bays, much as the ribs branch from
the spinal column. With the present facili
ties and those in contemplation, Delawar
and this whole Peninsula, is destined to I
new life of development, activity and pro
gress. This is as certain as anything in tn
future. 1t has already began. Stranger
are buying lands and settling on them, town
are springing up, and new sources of indus
try and wealth are being yearly developed
In all this, Wilmington should take the lead
f furnish a large share of the supplies, an
reap, as she must, if wise, her full share q
the benefits.
She is naturally the capital and tradin
f port for this whole peninsula, as much as 70
Delaware and her own citizens. OF thi
enterprise, she may gather up the fruits an
reap the harvest, as San Francisco ba
done for the Sacramento Valley, and th
State of California.
, Much of the trade which now goes :
Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York an
much which now goes no where, for war
OF development through the stimulous of
near home market, would, with little efFo,
and tact on the part of our manufacturer
and trades people, come to this market. A
along the Philadelphia Wilmington an
Baltimore Railroad, this city has customer,
and should have many more. The norther
counties of Maryland come 10 this mark,
more or less, and the people of Cheste
ana Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania ir
creasingly So and many more from tbos
regions ought to bring their produce her,
and do their trading with our mercban,
and manufacturers. This trade can h
extended and increased almost inde6r
= itely. What we need in order IN dro,
business from all directions, is a create
ear'cty to meet the wants of customer,
making certain articles in which wi
mington has peculiar advantages speciaiitis
1 taking more pains to spread abroad what ca
be had and what is wanted among us. an
the exercise of great deal of tact, especial
with our merchants and manufacturers
IT drawing and holding customers.
Wilmington has increased during the wa,
y anu Is destined to still greater increase an
j. prosperity now that peace has come, if tru
10 ner interests. The trade and business {
U tnis Peninsula is of right hers, and must an
"4N 'Oi"e W nef' ="