The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-10
9itf,n,ond' 1isaaffh..
FRIDAY::::.:::.... ,...a.'s,:'.MAy''io,. 1867.
Prom Richmond to the ohio enc "a

. 81 frOM hlCnlnoHu 70 yne OLao enc .
For long, long years has II been The 'dsr-
ling hope, the delightful dream, Of the
people ofthis city that they were, at a day
not remote, to be put in communication oy
canal, OF railroad, or both, with the rich
Northwest and West the teeming re-
s,ou, wstcred by the Mississippi and It's
trfbutssxs,sss The noblest Of Virginians,
the great WASHINGTON, marked the line OF
comSnunicafion from the ide-waters Of this
state to the great western rivers, and
MARSHALL gave ell his influence to that
same line as superior to all others. The
most patient and thorough surveys have
proved the correctness Of their conclu-
s;ons. and established the fact that there is
nospch line of connection between the At
,antic and the Mississippi; that It is su-
perior to any and all for its easy grades
and general advantages.
In their day these great men saw what
a mighty trade would pour along this line,
when opened, to the cities Of their State,
The people Of Virginia, with entire faith in
their judgment, and urged by the develop.
ments of later years, have devoted much
money and energy to carrying out the work
indicated so earnestly by them. But q
conspiracy of circumstances, and the frit.
tering away the means Of the State in rival
works, have retarded the great project in
manner notifying to us all and hurtful to
the general welfare.
Fortunately for the present age, the
way opens for the easy and expeditions ac-
complishment of what has been so much
desired. BY taking hold the work done by
the State on the Covington and Ohio rail-
road, which cost s., 500, 900, that road may
be promptly extended to the Falls of the
Kanawha, and there meet the steamboat
navigation from the Ohio. Let any prac-
tical man reflect moment on this achieve
ment, and he must be struck with its i'm
portant results. What are theys
First. The steamers will bring the trade
and travel from the Ohio to increase in.
calculably the trade Of Virginia, and
especially of this city; and
Second. To increase so immensely the
revenues of the Central road that it car
easily finish the road to the Ohio by its
own means.
These are, in brief, the grand results to
be obtained by little enterprises little
promptness rather than boldness-for there
is no hazard in the undertaking. The
Central road will pay all the interest upon
the money required to build the road, and
ultimately the principal. The length OF
that road now is such that the addition OF
freight to its western end as it is gradually
extended gives the largest possible yield
Of revenue. No man can well exaggerate
the vast business that will be thrown upon
it Immediately it strikes the steam lines
from the Ohio.
Let the people of Richmond think OF
this great subject. Reconstruction into
the Union goes on by machinery, they
having only the easy task of acquiescence
but this reconstruction of the physical
energies and prosperity of the State upon
the grandest scale requires their attention
and their aid. 1t WILDE delightful diver
sion from events of the day, and will re-
ward them with untold wealth.