The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-06
-. Richmond and the West.

Virginia. and OF course towards her prin-
cipal town, famed for so many considera-
tons which cntitle her, not only to their
rcspcct. but to their cordial esteem. In
the enterprise Of building line of trans
portation between the capital Of Virginia
and their sections, they have come forward
generously and literally to assist in the
work, and the question is, shall we rudcly
rebuff their earnest overtures
The mere matter of sentimen Mt should be
powerful in its influence on all Virgnian
hearts but fortunately it is not in the
present instance inconsistent with the most
selfish and purely practical view of the
interests Of this city.
For thrce-Q quarters Of century this
great line Of communication has been
deemed important to Virginia, and it's pro
iectors had but feeble estimate Of the
immense resources Of the great West, with
which they designed to place Virginia in
intimate intercourse. Let US briefly refer
TO some Of the considerations bearing on
this great question, so soon to be brought
to the judgments of our citizens.
There is, we believe, no direct opposi-
ton to the improvement itself. The OBJ
iectioDs are to the amount subscribed and
on the score Of some dpprehens.onS IN
dulgcd by gentlemen of very keen perce2-
tions. The subscription will, as We have
said, be called for gradually, and with
proper regard for the condition OF the
CITY. 1t is only s2,OOO,0OO. 1t gives US
what other cities have paid their S20,00O,-
600, and s3O,OOO,OOO, and S5o,OOO,OoO,
to gain-communication with the great
West. 1t gives controlling position III
the great work and proprietary interest
in property, 100000 Of which is gra-
tuity-a gift from the State!
But gentlemen speak as though there
was never to be any Improvement III
the means of this city-as though the
change in the social system of the
State would not increase the resources
of this city-and as though there was
never to be any relief from the pre-
sent condition Of the country. There will
be Improvement as soon as the State Is
rc;i!mtted into the Union-a great change
for the better. There will be an increase
of means from an increase Of confidence
growing out Of the restoration Of the
State; an increase of means from the
extension Of the limits Of the city and a
very rapid increase of means by the pro-
grcss Of the railroad as it enters new and
rich districts of country. Above all, there
will be an increase of means from the very
act of subscribing to this great railroad
scheme. People will see that we are q
live city, and that we arc going to work IL
the right way to extend our Industry and
our Commerce. Capital will be invited for
investment in property that must be rapidly
enhanced, and people will immlgratc here
to share in the growth and increase which
the great event of making Richmond a
participant in the vast trade Of the MisSis
sppi Valley will certainly insure.
Some people complain Of the Central
ralroad-it is SO crooked that it will lose
us all the trade from the West, which will
60 Off by Stanton and Gordonsvillo and q
road from the Hanover junction to West
Point. This is put in by way Of opposi.
ton, for the want of better argument.
The Central railroad is built. 1t is not
under discussion properly. But a worn
about it: The subscription of Richmond is
TO be made upon condition that the straight
road from Charlottesville to Richmond shat
be LuiH. 1t is nearer to West Point from
Charlottesville Uia Richmond with this
straight road) than to West Point via the
appreciated road. If those who see these
dangers ahead doubt even this guarantee,
let them remember that to make the forty
miles of railway from the Junction to Yves,
Point we have West Point, and to make
the straight road from Charlottesville to
Richmond we have the interests Of Rich
mond: call the world to nothing" Il
Richmond is to be beaten in contest OF
this sort by West Point, why, the world
would say, let her be beaten. This appre-
hcnsion is the merest tigment Of the brain
of those who are hunting for reasons.
Aud of the apprehcnsions touching Bal
timore In their dreams she is the python
who will swallow up all our trade and our
selves into the bargain. Had Baltimore
been the victim of such approximations she
would have still been a very small and in
considerable place. She was more within
the sphere and influence of larger towns
than is Richmond within hers, and had
much more reason than We have to be in
Inundated and deferred from pressing her
great road right out into the heart Of the
West. She was not deferred; why should
we be?
Baltimore will aim to control the local
business of the Valley of Virginia; but
she will by no means undertake to control
the through business Via the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad. She has her own line
to the W est, and she will bring her power
to bear through that line. The point OF
competition will not be at Stanton or al
GorclonSrile; but at Cincinnati and the
great depots ,rest Of the Ohio river. 1t is
absurd to suppose that she will pursue any
other policy. Aside from the advantage
in distances enjoyed by Richmond, sh,
will exert control over the improvement,
which will protect her interests and sub
iect freight leaving the road west of Rich