The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-12-13
or all the improvement. made or contem.

OF all the improvements made or contem
plated upon this continent, we hold the waite,
line connecting the James river and Ia
nAWha TO be that which will produce thu
greatest and most direct impression upo,
The commercial relations Of the several parts
OF the Union 70 each other, and Of these,
IN combination, to the whole world. Rising
within five miles Of each other, these two great
rivers run. the one directly west to the Ohio,
the other directly cas-, to Hampton Roads.
Having once touched the Ohio. the water line
places us In communication with all thu
great improvements Of Kentucky. Ohio.
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and by their
means with Missouri and Arkansas, on the
west Of the Mississippi. together with Kansas
and the boundless regions of the far West
The California railroad. which will have its
eastern terminus at st. Louis will give us
fair chance for the trade of California itself.
and Of China and the East Indies through San
Francisco. The communication of the Ohio
with the Mississippi will give the canal fair
sweep 1T the whole cotton region OF the Mis-
sissippi, the Red river and Texas. We will
thus be placed in a condition TO contest tlic
naln Of commerce with the other States which
have already worked their way 10 the Father
OF Waters, and we shall be e:,ahled 10 do SO uM-
der tho most favorable circAmst ances.
sese-tee "-ss:: We nave the cities Of Richmond
Petersburg and Norfolk, and 4 number Of
small towns ON our great rivers, with depth
Of water sufficient to qualify them TO take
rank as important ports. Such are Urbana,
ON the Rappahannock, and York, on the river
OF the same name. The importance of Nor.
folk, however, is SO transcribed as to throw
all Others in the shade. II is, we have always
heard, with the exception of Havana and
San Francisco, the finest and most capacious
harbor on the Continent OF North America,
or In any of its islands. We are BY no
means satisfied that the Improvements of
virginia ought not to have all converged !
to that point. and had in view the establish
ment OF that one great commercial empo-
rum. 1t would have been by no means
to the prosperity of any other town
or city. great trade, like that which will
pass through Virginia if the water line be
completed. must discharge itself into some port
which the largest vessels can enter-must
90 at once TO the wharf and be shipped
without, as far rs possible, mourning tran
'hipment by the way. The port must be
% near the sea as to offer no objection
20 sea captains and cOnsignors-all of whom
Teler making voyage across the Atlantic to l
'scendlhg long river. even with the assist
'nce OF steam. Norfolk answers this descrip- g
ION IN every respect; and no matter where the
ohnase may halt on its passage. two thirds of I
I must find its way there. Ships are ALWAYS t
0 be found in abundance wherever there is t
lways plenty of tonnage, because they are c
ways on the lookout for a cargo; and that II
) the reason why everybody who wishes 81
ship cargo from any other point
ends to New York. The ships are always 81
mere, because the cargo is always there and OF
they are wanted elsewhere, they must be 81
AID Tor going. The ship-yards of Baltimore st
irn out the finest clippers in the world. The rs
alt'moreans are, naturally, proud of them, tn
nd complain that they make one voyage IN
ON that port and never return u
hey go to New York, where they can on
ways find employment. Let the wa sti
r line he cpnpleted and Norfolk will receive in
tonnage from ii of tenor twelve millions wi
e largest by far i'll the world. Capital will de
'sten there, and ships out of number will de
low. 1t Is impossible to prevent this con- tn
Ill the event supposed. Com st:
cree Will force its way to Norfolk, let its sol
opie even do their worst to oppose it. 1t will de
"here the fine harbor invites the greatest all
mber OF ships. Steam has removed the sp
'a0Vantages II labored under from being f1e
uaIed SO lar astern of the Northern cities in ey
'rade OF the Gulf stream. Steam will take its
ships straight across the mill pond. Nj
governor PElRPoIST, after advising the sale Ill:
the States interest in the Public Works, Wis
Is us CURLY that the scheme-that is, the ct;
npletion OF the water line-is impractical tol
As his Excellency never surveyed the no
tie, there is a possibility that he may be TO
'faken. 1t is certain, at any rate. that very de-
tinsuished engineers, who hare surveyed it, an
nix differently. The French company think an
erently, and they are prepared to back Al
ir judgment. Let them, by all means, have my
ir trial, for the decision Of the question is cel
rital interest to Virginia and to the world. are
the