The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-27

There is one thing evident In this city,
and that Is the energy Of the comm unity.
This is one of the very best signs OF the
future Of Richmond. We need no BET
ter proof Of the untiring industry ana
the inc x;inguishs BILE spirit Of enterprise VI
the citizens, than The rapid manner IN "n's"
the city is being rebuilt-thc houses arc
not oplv built with surprising rapidi'!' out
they are constructed in a s'!ic oo'"
mental and substantial: far exceeo'''e LIZ
tina; were destroyed, in both respects i"'
,;,;,en who considers these facts ca""o'
fail 70 be sratified. We must re'i."o''
TIA. A mos, extraordinary double caia'h''!
v,s H.. fate Of Richmond. It's business
housc> were nearly all destroyed, and all
Tho money and nearly all the securities |
,ha, were in the possession Of the people |
were annihilated leaving them with no
money and the commercial part of the
town and the great bulk Of the goods held
ty the merchants all given to the flames.
To >cc community thus completely shorn
Of all means, and the great majority alto
gc,her deprived Of the results of the labors
Of life time, taking heart, and in few
weeks dclving among the ruins to rebuild
their city, is u rare example Of the rccu-
pcrativc energy and irrcpressible hope aud
spirit of men under the greatest reverses.
No city can display more striking exam
pie of human energy and fortitudc.
This is good starting point in consider
ing the future Of Richmond. We cannot
infer anything but encouragement from
these premises. And We SET no reason to
appT.hcud any want of success and thrift
III the progress Of the city. 1t is true that
railroad lines are projected, and will be
constructed, that will divert some trade
from Richmond but for this loss We must
reimburse. ourselves 10y extending our
trade in directions more Immediately III
our way, and where the distance in our
favor will enable us TO overcome opposi-
ton. Heavy ireights, such as tobacco and
country produce, will not pass Richmond,
where il strikes the water, to go several
hundred miles away by railroad. Give Us
lLt l!dut III lu'' Souukls Ilouu,N e''A N'~'N
i spirit and enterprise enough among our
commercial people to secure the return
trade in manufactured goods.
Then We have lines Of communication,
some of them incomplete, which will most
assuredly be built, that will secure to this
city large trade. The Covington and
Ohio railroad, being the shortest line be-
tween the Mississippi and the Atlantic,
will have great advantage over other
routes, and secure for this place vast
commerce in western products, especially
tobacco, on account Of the reputation that
James river tobacco enjoys in the markets
OF the world. AS outlets, we shall have
the James rivcr-that admirable and ever
enduring arterr OF transportation to sea III
sea going vesscls-then the York River
railroad, and probably the Richmond and
Newports News railroad. No city need
want more. Tie trade OF the whole Union
could, with these Couduits, be easily sent
IT, sea.
But independent Of the mere traffic Ill
lttt lIlAN IUS VI tiS wv oh"h
havca still greater element Of wealth in
our manufacturers. Beginning with the un-
rxamplcd and uncquallcd Touring mills OF
ne city, and going down through the diff
fsrcnt branches Of art, We have already
very encouraging array of local manutac-
turing enterprise. With the facilities we
have in the way OF material and motive
pa~cr, and III, extended communication
between Richmond and the entire west
aud southwest, We have not 4 doubt that
VI shall have lerc one Of the largest man
u'aciuriug cities, for its population, in the
United States.
The abolition of slavery will be the
means of extending the trade and enter
irl,c Of the city, independent of all other
considerations. The change in the system
# agriculture will Increase the wants of
tie people, and it will increase the free
capital in the country, since oil that was
formerly invested in slaves must now seek
other objects. So that we shall have new
sources of commercial and manufacturing
prosperity in Virginia from this cause
alone, which will largely add 10 the growth
and Thrift, Of Richmond.
Let Us look ahead, then, with confidence
10 the bright future of this city. She has
passed through fire and hundred trials
but to come out as refined gold. Her spirit
rises more buoyant and hopeful from the
temporary prostration Of adversely, and
in a few years she will reap the full re-
Mard of her constancv and fortitudc.