The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-20
nThe Virginia Line-A National Line:

: Ii Is 3mpossipie W se' po"
,ional importance, the great advantages ana
grandeur, of that depressed and gentle line
Of communication between the Atlantic ana
the Mississippi Valley which lies through
the heart Of Virginia, and at the same tame
the very heart of the Union. Naturally
the easiest and most direct Of all the iines'
politically it is the most important 70 the
Union. Furnishing the easiest grades anu
most direct line, it is the best Tor rallroaas'
while as a water line it is the only prae.'-
cable route for connecting the waters OF the
Atlantic and the Mississippi between the
LAKES and the Gulf. Both the lake and
Gp,f route are border routes-the one sus-
tanning detriment from tropical heats, the
other from winter frosts, and both being
circuitous, and both liable to danger and
suspension in time of war.
The line through Virginia is, therefore,
vastly superior to oil, and happily for the
nation it is so because being central 1t Is
thus the better capable of dispensing ma
tional benefits to the greatest number.
Moreover, being central, the wealth, pros
peri.y, and power it may confer WIZ 40
moro to strengthen the Union and bind the
parts together than could similar advan-
taoes located further South or further
North. yirginia-properly considered IN
alliance with the States standing upon the
same incomparably benefcent Latitude spe
otcunies-should be regarded as the very
heart and lungs of the nation which,
in nroper yigor, should be to the na.'oh',
body-politic its chief source OF heal.h "nO
energy. Therefore this Union Will De lhcoh'
ceivably strengthened and its existence
prolonged by the opening OF this virgin"
line both by railroad and water commun'-
cation, which will build up mere III
Tho national centre power and opu-
lence that will, as a powerful cement, hold
the extremes together with tenaci'y anu
endurance that will defy the test of ages.
II ;s in this view of the Virginia route,
or rather the line of communication across
tho centre of the Union from the Atlantic to
the Mississippi may, to the great racine
;tself-,hat we consider it as deriving Its
greatest importance and addressing ns
claims to the statesmen Of the land Win
irresistible force.
1t is happy fact in the history OF this
incom parably advantageous route that l'S
discoyercr and chief advocate was the
FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY, and that JOHN
MARSHALL, succeeding him, was no less
ardent in espousing it with all the force
of his great mind.
The grand railroad scheme started SO
many years after the canal was begun has
outstripped that, and is about to clear the
Allegheny mountains. 1t will most assu-
redly be built at an early day. So faVora-
BILE q route, promising such effects upon
trade and such great national benefits
cannot fail to attract capital; and the rail
road once across the Alleghanies will
rapidly follow the waters to the Ohio.
But the canal is moro important than the
railroad while neither can be dispensed
with. 1t is n fortunate circumstance-noW
that the public attention is drawn to the
canal, and that the great western cities are
calling for its construction-that the engi-
neer of that important work has boldly pro-
posed to make tunnel of the Allegheny
nine miles long, by which al doubts and
difficulties touching an abundant supply OF
water to cross the mountain are com
pletely removed. That has been the main
ground Of opposition to the canal, and the
object of the derision of all who were not |
its devoted friends. A mountain Of diff. |
ticulty and prejudice is thus cleared by the |
long tunnel, while it avoids 440 feet OF
lockage, forty-four locks, seven and hall
hours delay in passing each boat through |
the locks, and seven miles distance, with |
lock-keepers, wear and tear Of boats, &c.
Moreover, it avoids the reservoir, with its
long canal or feeder passing through a
tunnel two and half miles iong! All of
which things, SO avoided, would be per-
petual source of expense and trouble, while
the long tunnel would be straight conduit,
ApCuS1NSs uuO 1o'SAo'ptS ~
any straight stretch of canal on the route.
Thus we have the main difficulty removed
by q tunnel that may be built in less than
three years time, according to the distin-
guished Mr.. LATRoBE, of Baltimore and
the water line at once assumes SO practical
a character that none can doubt it.
1t is susceptible of proof from positive
data that this water line will in one year
after its construction save to the people OF
the Mississippi Valley in freights a sam
Of money equal to its entire cost.
So that, politically and commercially, we
have here q line of mixed improvement of
railway and canal that is SO commended by
its benefits that its completion is demanded
by the highest national considerations. We
cannot but believe if these are persistently
and fairly presented that in few years it
will be complete, and the people of the
Union in the enjoyment of its benefits.
-
T.