The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-04
onca tha occasion Of ,reproach and aston.

I have no manner of prejudice against
the Danyille railroad, nor do think that
any intelligent friend Of this road can
have for, recognizing the fixed fact of the
independence Of each-their interests run
upon all-fours-I cannot complain that
che Danville railroad would swallow US up
II it could, for think they have good
reason to believe they would fatten upon
the diet.
In the future of this road close con-
nection with the Danville road is as much
to the interest Of the one company as the
other. Together they will constitute a
portion Of the great airline railroad trunk
from the Southwest-through Montgomery,
Atlanta, Augusta, Columbia, Charlotte,
Greensboro, and Richmond-to the Chesa-
peake land crossing that in two hours pas
sage by steamer-throughth the eastern shore
IF Maryland and Delaware to Philadelphia
and New York-ofering as expeditions and
attractive conduit for the great tide of
northern and southern travel as any COM
peting route can hope to prefer. With or
without consolidation, this road is to the
Danville Company an essential link TO THIS
great railroad chain; and is it to be
imagined that the enlightened gentlemen
who control that company are blind to THIS
patent fact9 Will we not falsify inspired
wisdom, and demonstrate by our folly that
il is not in vain the net is spread in sight OF
the bird, if we consent to sacrifice the lnde-
pendence of this company upon the idle
apprehension that the Danville Company
will otherwise throw away this golden
harvest So long as we encourage them to
believe that by delay and diplomacy they
can hope to make this link between Rich
mond and the Chesapeake their OVID, we
nav expect delay and diplomacy. But
the very moment we can crush out tnat
hope by giving assurance alike OF our IN
tention and our ability to build it ourselves,
we may confidently anticipate their cor
dial and earnest cooperation. The in
stincts of self-interest will insure US this.
While I am not insensible of the impor-
lance of this connection, am equally SEN
sible of the Importance of other connec-
tons scarcely less promising in benefcent
results to the road and to the interests OF
the city Of Richmond and State of Vir-
ginia. 1t is suggested, Mr.. Chairman, that
this is the day for cOnsolidation-that the
policy commends itself already to public
approval, and is growing in favor with the
community. I am not so sure of this.
The policy of consolidation, which has en-
gagged the attention Of the public, Eand
been partially adopted in some cases
in this State, has looked to the ANAL
gamation of roads tending to Virginia
city, and our Norfolk friends felicitate
themselves upon the accomplishment of
the result on the south side, with saDguine
anticipations of the effect of their success
in upbuilding the fortunes and prosperity
of their ancient city. Consolidation in
our case is a very different matter, and it
may we'll occasion very serious objection
among the very same intelligent citizens
of Richmond and the State who have ap-
proved the policy of amalgamatiDg the
southside railroads. For my own part,
sir, as a citizen of Richmond, and one
of the representatives Of the State of
Virginia, I am not prepared to as
sent to the wisdom Of a policy which
will make this beautiful city-the metro
polls of the Commonwealth mere way
station on any line Of road. This consoli-
dation of companies whose roads meet
here is q vastly different matter from the
mere connection of the line of railway.
The prosperity of city may not depend
upon break in her streets in the line of
transit for trade or travel; but the value Of
the road to the city does depend, to very
great extent, upon the Identification of the
of the road with the inte-
rests and feeling of her commercial people.
So long as the terminus of the road is
here, that identification may be complete.
Make this mere way-station, and that
Identification is, to say the least, impe-
rilled. / am earnestly in favor of con-
nection, through the city, of this road and
the various other railroads entering from
other directions; and l apprehend no in
Jury to the city from the consequent facili-
ties for the passage of trade through. But,
sir, have no such apprehension, simply
because I claim each separate corporation,
for all practical purposes, as Richmond
institution; and I have every confidence
that each will be administered with a wise
providence by men identified with her
fortunes; and if should, in this calcula-
ton, be mistaken as to one, the through
connection, to be made the instrument of
harm, requires the concurring wills Of two
or more. suggest these views as worthy
of consideration in the agitation of this
question of consolidation among my fell
low citizens of Richmond.
But I spoke, Mr.. Chairman, of other
connections, which looked to as important
for the interests of our road. These con-
nectiOns are at either -northward and
eastward, by rail and by steamer. Let
this road once kiss the waters Of the Chesa-
peake, and it will reach forth its arms to
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and
Norfolk. The tide of through travel from the
south via the Danville road, and from the
north via the eastern shore railroads, will
stream along its highways. The heavy
freightage between the cities of the At
lantc seaboard to the north of us and this
city and the interior will naturally seek to
make available the advantages of transpor-
tation across your roadway. Steamers, in
connection with your trains, will furnish
facilities of communication with this city
never heretofore enjoyed by the people of
many portions of our beautiful seaboard
and from the valley of the Rappahannock,
from the eastern shore of Virginia, and,
in fact, all of the tiderwater country north
and east of us, we may hope to attract to
our Virginia cities valuable and growing
trade, which in PALMER days poured into
the lap of Baltimore the wealth of the best
portion of the Virginia seaboard.
Of the connections at this end, while
that with the Danville road is of prime
consequence, We may reckon upon it as a
fixed fact. For other connections we have
competitors. With the Danville road we
have, practically, none. Whether this road
does or does not surrender its independ-
ence it is necessary link in the through
connections of the Danville road. But if