The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-06
Virginia and Her Lines.

The Washington Chronicle (FoRNEY's
metropolitan sheet) Of yesterday has an
elaborate and well-argued article in behalf
Of the Virginia water line, in which that
line is represented as national necessity.
]. The two routes Of water communication be-
tween the Mississippi and the sea are Dor
der lines both, in part, passing outside our
own boundaries; and the Chronicle con-
sidsrs the proposed central line matter OF
great national expediency. 1t is demanded,
moreover, as Few and cheap outlet to re-
lieve the great West Of it's surplus produo-
ton, which is lost to the consumers Of the
Atlantic States either because it cannot
bear the charges Of transportation, or be-
cause the present means are inadequate to
it's removal. The Chronicle represents the
area to be drained by this great central
canal at 100000 squsre miles, now inha-
bised by 100000 people.
Speaking Of what Virginia has done to-
wards the construction Of this improvement,
1t says: 44
! The State Of Virginia expended upon this
canal upward Of SIS, 200, co., yet we have no
hesitation in saying that, although this canal
runs through Virginia, there are States which
4 win border upon Its river con limitations that
Will derive more pecuniary benefit from II
than Virginia will Most of these States are
carved out OF the territory given by Virginia
to the Union, and owe their existence to her
4 generosity. It wonld very slightly recon-
3 pense the mother State were her western off
spring to contribute something toward the
completion Of this great work, and 1t Is a
case In which the family interest is go
strong that any apparent generosity on the
part Of the children would be amply COM
pensated by the benefits they would receive.
"At It's last session the Iowa Legislature
memorialized Congress and instructed their
represent Ia tives therein to use their best eff
forts to obtain such aid from the Government
as will secure the early completion OF the
great central water line through Virginia to
the sea. The memorial properly describes
the work RS one Of national Importance, the
benefits of which will be shared directly by
more than half the people of this country,
and Indirectly by all. It Is necessary addi-
ton to the improvement OF the navigation OF
the western rivers, without which the bene-
Yts Of that measure will be but half realized.
4 It is a work to be done by the whole country,
for the benefit of the whole country. 1t be-
longs to tho Government OF the United
States
The whole article, column and half
in length, is convincing argument in ia
vor Of this greatest work now projected on
this continent.
The two lines (canal and rally by this
eligible route across the bosom Of Virginia
are attracting great deal of attention, and
the, day is not far remote that will see them
completed and an amount Of population,
wealth, and prosperity in this State not yet
dreamed Of by the most sanguine. It is q
matter Of inestimsble Importance to the
nation that these lines should be finished
and in operation as soon as possible. They
would do more to promote harmony and the
!, strength and endurance Of the Union thar
all the talk and legislation Of fifty years
j The centre Of the Union needs to bt
strengthened just in this manner to hold
. together the extremes.
Nor is it alone with reference to these
schemes that attention is concentrated upor
Virginia. She is at this time the object O
wider interest than almost any other State
4 In the Union. Her climate-her soii-;hel
,minerals-her magnificent system of wa
ters--her grand scenery-sll are inviting
Immigrants and capitalists. Our political
status settled, and we shall see the tide set
:: ting In upon US that will in q few gyeart
work change which viii be as grateful as
it will be surprising, lifting up the old
State in physical growth to something like
the relation she has always borne among
the States Tor craftsmanship and heroism,