The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-03-20
LEAVE YOUR NAMES.
THE GREAT VIRGINIA WATER
LINE.

early completion of this great work, is mat
ter of the first importance to any citizen of
Norfolk.
We find in the Richmond Enquirer and
Sentinel several most interesting articles upon
the Water Line.
In an article of the paper of yesterday, the
editor says
In resuming the remarks on the above SUBJ
jject, which we left off few days since, we
would observe that the completion of the work
in question seems now to be almost a matter
of certainty.
The contract with the we'll known French
firm (Bellot DIES Minieres, Brothers l. Co.. was
made in the most solemn form possible. They
were under obligations to complete the work
by sections and within prescribed periods
Their views, from the moment when the ne
gotiation commenced until the present period,
have always been perfectly uniform and con-
sistent, manifesting no doubt of the feasibility
of the plan, and showing perfect sincerity
with regard to their own Intentions. These
views and intentions are not stated at random
They are gathered from the correspondence of
the parties, running through period of five
years. Extended over so large space, that
correspondence has always been earnest, con-
sistent and devoted to a single object The
last steamer brought from them a further
communication. They had, at the time, just
received intelligence of the passage of the
amended charter, though no copy OF it had
come to hand. The correspondence expresses
great satisfaction at the result There is,
therefore, left but one question to be decided,
and that is, will they be able to provide the
large amount of capital required for an UNDER
taking of such enormous magnitude Our
own opinion is that they will.
That they will be encouraged to the largest
extent possible by the Emperor and his gov
ernment there cannot be the shadow of a
doubt. The interests of France in the sue
cess OF the scheme ale 80 manifest that this
reason alone would, in the absence of other
proof, suffice to indicate to any man who has
been in the habit of remarking the conduct of
her wise and far-sesing monarch, the course
he will pursue. 1t would be inconsistent
with his entire history, since he has been at
the head of the French nation, to doubt that
he will do everything in his power to advance
scheme which promises SUCH pre-eminent
advantages to his empire and his people. 1t
must be recollected that the benefit of an
enormous trade-a trade embracing thousands
of millions very possibly-s offered to his
acceptance, at cost to his people SO COM
being taken into the account; and that the
ruler to whom this magnificent opportunity
is presented, is the most sagacious statesman
OF modern times
The editor is strong advocate for the con-
tinuance Of those peaceful relations which
have so long existed between this country and
France. He recounts the many evidences of
attachment which was shown, at an early day,
by the people Of this country for France and
Frenchmen. He says:s q..
Throughout the reign of the First Napoleon,
the Partially of this people for the French |
was always so decided, that it was a common |
thing for the British newspapers, and even for
members of Parliament, to represent us as the |
allies of their enemies. When the battle of
Waterloo had Frustrated France and scattered
the officers and soldiers of the Empire, they
took refuge in this country by thousands, and |
were cordially welcomed Their graduates of |
the Polytechnique became professors of our |
schools; their engineers superintendent the |
construction of our public works A French |
General of Engineers, who had served under
Napoleon with great credit, enjoyed the high |
honor of havingsthe office of Chief Engineer
of the United States, created by Congress,
talents might be employed for the advantage
of this country.
The favorite brother of the fallen Emperor
became citizen of N. Jersey, and was treated |
with the reverence due to his own eminent |
virtues and the lustre of the name he bore; |
while Congress granted whole county in the |
then Territory of Alabama to a COLONY of |
French soldiers, at the head of whom were
Marshal Grouchy, the two Laemands, aud
the illustrious and unfortunate Lefebvre Des-
nouettes. The name of Marengo, still attached
to that county, attests the character of its eary
population, and the affectionate remembrance
with which they chung to the glory of their
country. Is anything more desired? Then let
Frenchmen remember Lafayette and 1924 Let |
them think of Rochambeau and De Grasse, and |
thesplendd liberality of this country to them for |
services rendered; and then say whether it is |
probable that there can ever be rupture ex-
tending to war between France and America.
1t is unnatural, it is almost impossible Vir-
ginia wants no quarrel with France She
wants her to send emigrants; she wants her to |
take orr produce in exchange for her own; she |
expects to bestow great benefits upon France, |
and to receive great benefits in return.
Should the scheme which we have been |
particularly considering succeed, posterity will |
be loud in applauding the energy and sagacity
of M. Ernest Bellot DIES Minieres To rear
in his honor a lofty pile of granite or marble,
would be superfuous. His Great Work
would be nober and more enduring monu-
ment; and the mighty stream of busy life
and of wealth beyond compute, which webld
increasingly flow each way, would be pro-
cession and pageant to his praise such as
never graced conquerors triumphal train,
or followed the bier of king.
Nor will posterity fail to be struck with
the singular manner in which he became con-
nected with this scheme, illustrating, as it
does, the small threads by which Providence