The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-19
4itllnlond nispatrb.
TUESDAY. .....NOvEMBER 10, 1867.
chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.

CHESAPEAKE dliSl Silio 1ossii ot]ot
The political phase OF our affairs has had
its depressing influence upon all public
enterprises, and, unfortunately, has had its
effect much too seriously upon our indi-
vidual concerns. The public mind is much
more calm and rcsonlte now than 1t was
two weeks since, and is recovering SO
rapidly its healthy and natural tone that
we think it not only timely to refer to the
ordinary interests Of society, but to utter
the language of hope and cheeriulncss
with reference to the expansive and her.
culean projects which are calculated to
promote and enlarge our commercial in
tercourse and prosperity. Among the
greatest Of all the. schemes for public
welfare and individual thrift is the Chesa-
neakc and Ohio railroad-an Improvement
located upon the line the most plainly
indicated by nature and selected by
the Great Fathers Of the State as the
best on the continent for the connect
ING link Of transportation and travel be-
tween the Atlantic she'd and the great
Mississippi Valley. This great work we
NAV return to with propriety, even at such
time as this, and call upon our people to
give to il their influence and their labors
as though they were complying with the
diving Injunction of GEORGE WAsHINGToN.
That great man foresaw that an improve
mcnt upon this route was to enlarge the
power aud promote the grandeur OF MS
beloved Sta;c-that it was to develope her
riches and Increase her population, and
place her in the best condition for thrift
in time of peace, and public defence in
time Of war. His great mind forcsaw that
exicencies might arise in which his noble
mother State would need material strength
and resources, and he saw that the con-
ncction with the Ohio, so plainly indicated
BY nature, was that which opened the way
to that very wealth and physical force
which in the viciSsi,udcs Of human affairs
would become vitality necessary to her
safety. Our very mislortunes impress us
with his wisdom and careful torethought.
We feel more hopeful than ever of this
great enterprise. we are as confident as men
well can be OF things that have not happen
cd that the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad
can be built 1.-THE communities imme diateiy
interested only subscribe the quotas al
lo,tcd to them. There arc men and means
ready to carry it through to completion.
Only let the subscriptions be made, and
the work will 60 ahead. 1t is grand and
important one-not only to ourselves, but
TO wealthy communities of the Ohio val
lev: and the interests in its behalf are
immediate and pressing. The great battle
Of commerce in that rich field Of the Ohio
valley is now raging, and Che Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad is flank movement in
dispensablc to the protection of the river
cities Of the Ohio. Though subscriptions
by corporations may not-indecd, owing
TO constitutional prohibitions, cannot-be
made, the capital, we arc sure, will be
furnished and tie road built.
Once built, what are we to profit. 1t
is our salvation in these times Of trial. It
opens the way to an easy solution of our
troubles, and will secure 10 Virginia pros
pcrity and power we can hardly exagge-
rate.
Let lis not brood over our misfortunes,
but by giving hearts and hands to the mea
surcs for lifting up our State from prostra-
ton, extending our commerce and enlarg-
ing our means of occupation, repair our
losses and forget our mistortunes. This is
the time for effort and enterprise. In
these we shall find the true solace for our
woes-the true remedy for the public en-
barraSSment.