The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-16
Philadelphia and Richmond.

On Saturday we drew q comparison be-
tween Philadelphia and Richmond, show
ing that Philadelphia had by her manutac-
lures, maintained herself and increased
almost, if not quite, as rapidly as New York,
and further, that in the matter Of locality
Richmond had some natural advantages
over Philadelphia for manufacturing pur-
suits.
There is an important point bearing
upon the fortunes Of Philadelphia which
We did not explain in that article; and the
explanation Of which will assist to strength
en- the position Of Richmond in the COM
parison. The first great blow struck at
Philadelphia was the Erie Canal-indeed
it was the first and last blow. Mono other
has followed it that she has not been en-
tirely capable of defending herself from.
When that canal was begun She was ahead
Of New York in the matter Of her mari
time interests; but that conduit connect
ing the Hudson with the Lakes gave to
New York the export trade which after
wards controlled and monopolized the i'm
porting business.
What was it that came to the relief Of
Philadelphia and cherished her as q grow
ing and mighty city? The coal and iron
Of Pennsylvania. These elements gave
her manufactures and inspired her people
with manufacturing enterprise. The fuel
from the coal mines put in operation thou
sands of steam engines in every part OF
that city as the motive power Of machinery
engaged in almost every conceivable branch
of manufacture; and this with the ponde-
rous iron trade-the trade in that metal
whose very weight is the type Of its power
and consequence in promoting national
strength and thrift-has built up Phila-
dclphia with a rapidity that is wonderful
in the face of the loss of her extensive
foreign commerce!
Now, what is the situation Of Rich
mond? She has equal advantages as far
as concerns the supply of the two great
clements Of industry and national growth,
iron and coal; and it is only necessary to
extend somewhat our means Of access to
the incomparably valuable and extensive
depositeS Of both which are found in Viz
ginia and West Virginia to give Richmond
even greater supplies Of these important
agents than ever Philadelphia had. There
fore we see no reason why Richmond may
not become very great and fourishing
city in the same way by which Philadel-
phia has defed competition in the face Of
absolute disaster to her foreign commerce.
Let any one compare the numbers that
are employed in the dry goods trade upon
capital of half a million and the num-
oers that will be employed in manufac-
turing upon the same capital. 1t would
not be extravagant to say that the mann
factory would afford the greater number
employment BY at least twenty for one. 7,
$ easy to see that the appropriation nc
capital TO manufacturing Industry will
increase a population more RAPIDLY than
Il eevotng 1t to commerce. But largo
manufacturing population and business
mere would Of necessity inaugurate large
commerce.
We repeat that the mos. important step
nov proposed Tor this city is the construc-
H"n OF the railroad to the Ohio river. T.
vi give US those noble elements of physi
cal power and prosperity which have told
'heir own story all over the world where