Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-11-30
A Bridge Over the Potomac.

a Bridge Over the Potomac
A petition is being extensively signed In
this city, praying the Council to take into
consideration the cxpediency of bridging che
Potomac river, at some point within the CITY
limits on condition that the people of Hamp-
shire County make road from the bridge 10
iutersect the graded roads of Virginia.
A poin. near the bluff in front ofthe Perry
house is suggested as affordng a natural aout-
ment for the bridge, and the road to pass above
the Perry barn. along the the eastern slope
of Nobly mountain. over natural and easy
grade, to the county road near the ulcan
Furnace, or else continue to Daniels Mill, aud
there meet the network Of graded roads,
The former is tue site Of an old road, once
the only route from Cumberland to Frankfort,
and, as,w are advised by intelligent gentle
men who have examined it, will afford the
shortest and best road into Virginia Tae
Virginians plelge themselves TO make the
road, provided we1build the bridge, which is
simple matter if the people will incur the ex-
pensc. In presenting the Importance OF the
proposed bridge to Cumberland, We must re-
view its past and present business relations
and future prospects. Formerly we enjoyed
large trade from West Virginia, Bedford, and
the Counties bordering on the National road
contributing largely to our prosperity but
which is now entirely aivertcd from us by the
completion of the Baltimoreand Ohio Railroad
to Wheeling, the Broad Top to Bloody Run,
| and the Connclsvillc branch to Uniontown,
| while the Mining villages have even deprived
| us of the products of cur own County west OF
Frostburg; leaving only the trade of our
surrounding valles, and the country bordering
on the Plank road, which on the completion
| Of the Cunncllsville Road will also be numbered
among the things of the past. The loss of this
trade told fearfuly on Cumberland, as all may
remember the vacaut dwellings, stores and
warehouses ou every street. The war, how
ever revived business; the vast army drawing
supplies from this post gave new lille to trade
the town fiourshed, and its population increas-
ed far beyond is lodging accommodations
These influences stimulated improvements. and
more houses will have been built in the pres
cnt, than during the whole FIVE years anterior
to the rebellion. But peace is declared, the
army is being disbanlcd, the Commlssary and
Ouartermasters establishments are being bro
ken up, and all those causes which gave in
creased trade to our people will soon be remov-
ed, leaving only the few resources OF the live
dull and improbable years preceding the war
We coufcss our apprehension of the future;
and to those who place such high valuation
upon their property. to those building houses
at such fearful cost, and to those who regard
Cumberland as the stage of future fortunes. we
frankly say, there is great danger of our pres
ent prosperity passing away with the causes
which produced it, aud that Cumberland may
again relapse into its former commercial de'
cay. ......1.., .,.'...... ...-...I. .gw
This threatening evil may, however, be aver
ted. and the trade Of Cumberland not only
maintained but improved, if ourpeople act with
becoming enterprise. We must seek new
.o,rcss Of tasricmtar aral supplies, and new custo-
mers for our merchants and mechanics Coal
- cbeaper here than elsewhere, and hence we
can manufacture cheaper than any other peo-
ple, provided we, can live as cheap. and ind Il
market for our products. The trade of the
counties of Hampshire, Hardy and Pendle.on'
the rich valles of tho South Branch and Pat
terson's Creek, esteemed the fairest portion OF
Virginia, surrounded by mountains and drain
ed bv the waters of the South branch naturally
: belong to Cumberland. which, if made acces-
sible. will become their most convenient. il
not their only, market. They are essentially
AGRICULTURAL counties, and therefore essential
what Cumberland requires. We have popu-
,ation, wealth, mineral resources. enterprlsns
merchants, and mechanical skill, Railroad and
Canal facilities, and all other advantages, save
agricultural wealth, to sustain us, sine quo
non to the prosperity Of every town. The
Potomac is now the barrier to this one "con.
summation so devoutly to be wished" The
!, ice in winter the high waters of spring and
fall rcnderit impossible for more than half the
year. while the roads leading to its uncertain
fords, so rarely used, are allowed to 60 into
decay, and the Virginia furmers, finding com
munication so difficult and uncertain, ceased te
trade with us and sought markets for their pro,
duce elsewhere, but the war has broken up al
their former business relations; they must now
form new connections and fix new points o
trade, and if we open our markets natural
causes will bring theirtrade to us. Their stores
and shops have been destroyed, their tools and
! implements. if not carr cd of, are worn out BY
r time. They want slm,ss everythins. and
their fertile sill BY single crop will yield