Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-18
Lynehburg and DanviIle Railroad as
Part OF the Orange Road.
q tie Editor nfthe Alexandria Gazette

Part of the Orange Road.
To the Editor ofthe alexandria Gazette.
The construction of this road, but a continu-
alton of the Orange Alexandria and Manassas
road, is arousing great interest along its line,
and as we are happy to learn, among the stock
holders of the latter company. The distance
from Lynchburg 10 Danve Is sixty-fve and
ahalf miles, by the survey made, and at the
latterpoint, connection will be made with all the
Southern railroads Danvieis the natural south
ern terminus of theO Orange road. Ii can goSouth
nowhere, to any advantage, but to that point,
| and is incomplete without connecting with the
Southern roads there. La the new zeal to
| build up Norfolk, seaport, and the tre-
mendous efforts, now making to accomplish 1t,
| it is impossible to secure charter for any road
running North aud South through Virginia,
the charter of the Lynchburg and Danvie
road could not now be procured, and II this
opportunity fails, the prospect OF the Orange
road now reaching its proper Southern termi-
nus, will be indefinitely delayed or defeated. -
The people along this line are determined to
have an outlet to market, and will wait no
| longer. If not encouraged and aided in this
road, they will seek and that Immediately,
| some other route--and attempt to make other
friends. This scheme will appeal to the stock
| holders OF the Orange road, at the next meet
ing Of its stockholders. for q decided and sub
stantial endorsement Of its objects, and denial
may be attended with the most serious conse-
quences The assurance given at Its last meet
ing was polite and friendly, but not Of char
acter to inspire hope, nor quicken the energies
| of those who have strlVen SO long, and adven-
tured so much, in carrying forward this work.
| 1t will be known, at tho coming meeting,
4 whether any substantial aid can be expected
from the Orange road, or whether other friends
arc to be sought We cannot suppose that so
short view of the interest of the Orange
road will be taken, as to reject our appeal
What grander destiny can that road propose to
itself, than to begin at the Northeast corner Of
the Commonwealth and running through the
| heart of its noble Piedmont section to terml-
nate at her Southern boundary, in its very cen
ire? To draw to itself the immense travel
South to the Virginia Springs and the North
ern cities, travel commencing at New Orleans
and Mobile? What line of travel from the
South will be so short, or so cheap? Should
the proposed road adopt the guage of the
Orange road, the running stock OF the Orange
road, can be used throughout its length. ii 1t
refuses its aid, and another guage shall be
adopted, the evils inflicted on the Orange
road, in the loss of freight and travel will be
immense In the conflict going on between
the Baltimore and Ohio road, and the Virginia
| and Tennessee airline-betwcen Baltimore and
Norfo,k-supposc the Virginia and Tennessee
| road should take the proposed work in charge,
it can be readily imagined what injurious effects
might be produced on the Orange road. Sup
pose the Valley road completed to Salem, in
Roanoke county, and the friends Of the pro-
posed road, baffled in their hopes from the
Orange road, should turn their attention to
| Salem, the effects on the Orange road could be
nothing else than injurious. 1t would cut OFT
its Southern and Southwestern business. The
proposed road touches those running through
| the cotton regions Of the South and the local.
| ties in Virginia and North Carolina, where the
! finest manufacturing tobacco is produced. 1t
penetrates the heart OF this limited district
| The building timber on the line to Danvlle
cannot be surpassed in quantity or quality
! The counties Of Pittsylvania, Campbell, Henry,
| Franklin and Bedford, the city of Lynchburg
and town of Danville would be added in their
political strength to the Orange road, in the
appeals it must, from time to time, make to
our Legislature for necessary laws and indeed
would WELD an influence in that body, that all
other roads would have to deter to and con-
ciliate. AS soon as we get q Legislature, strug-
| giles are likely to occur between competing I'M
provements, in which the Orange road, with
| this additional strength, would hold the balance
Of power and control legislation.
The road completed over Satunton river
| twenty-five miles from Lynchburg, which con-
tractors have engaged to build. the bridge in-
cuded, at $500, 000, would not only pay profit,
but would afford mortgageable property, on
| which tie residue of the cost could be borrow
ed Forty miles from that point, reach Dan
Vile Pittsyyania county has subscribed $780,
| 900, with the desired encouragement, she would
double that sum-the right Of way has been
given, in almost every instance, in which it has
| been applied for. People have subscribed lib
orally, in money, land and timber. No vote
has yet been taken in Lynchburg, Campbell or
Danvlle; we wait for these, to see what inter
est the Orange road takes in the work, and
whether she desires our company. The road
cannot be built without aid from without, many
hold back, until they can get assurance OF this
aid-giye it and it will give an Impulse to sub
scriptons, which would soon complete the
work The standing reply to our solicitations
| is, that the Orange road has done nothing
| that she is 10 get the great profit OF the work.
and has 30 confidence in it. She alone can
remove this 'obstacle--it is with her to decide
whether this road is to be built. The iron is
| now hot-let her strike-let it not get cold
| The next meeting of its stockholders will be OF
vast Importance to them; let them not disre.
gard the appeal that will be made to them
but consider it before they meet and determine
to give it the attention it desires, and secure to
| themselves u benefit which delay may endan.
ger. HENRY COUNTY.
EeltqP from E.OUdOun County.