The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-01
CHI ES TON.
TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 1. 1869.
Our Western Connections.

OWI " OStCIA SOAAAeosAvAes
The report of John B. La6tte, ESQ.,, the
representative Of the City Of Charleston,
before the City Council Of Cincinnati, is Q
clear and comprehensive summary Of the
arguments in favor Of railway connection
between the Queen Of the West and the great
seaport Of South Carolina. And while it
shows conclusively that the most advanta-
geous terminus for the proposed Southern
road is Rockville and not Chattanooga, it
gives us the encouraging assurance that
whatever route may finally be adopted, we
shall have connection with both Louisville
and Cincinnati, by the time that the Blue
Ridge Railroad is completed. The Knox
vile route would give Cincinnati o connec-
tion with Norfolk and with the railroad
systems of North Carolina, Georgia, and
Alabama, as well as with Charleston, but
even if the less favorable route via Chatta-
noegs be chosen we shall still be able, by
taking advantage of the commercial energy
of Louisville, to reach up into the heart of
| the West.
Cincinnati, no less than Charleston, will
be benefited by obtaining cheap and
rapid communication with our sesbosrd. If
we send to her the foreign produce, the salt
and other commodities that she may require,
the West will send to us the iron and coal
Of Tennessee, provisions of every kind. and
the manufactured articles which Cincinnati
can produce more ohesply than any city Of
the East. These facts. now for the first
time, Of late years, forced upon the atten-
ton Of the people Of Ohio, will have great
weight in determining the manner Of ex.
pending the ten millions Of money which
Cincinnati is authorized to lay out in build
ing Southern railroad. And, however,
much private interests may be opposed to
the Knoxville route, its claims are now so
strong that they cannot well be isnasad =
If Kno1viu. be indeed made the termi-
nus, the result will be due to the exertions
Of Mr.. LATTE, President Harrison, Of the
Blue Ridge road, Chief Engineer Low, and
the other gentlemen who have 50 faithfully
represAni.d- thu interests Of our City and
State. And ina any event, we may now 90
to work with the assurance that it rests
with ourselves to decide whether the mil
lions already spent are to be thrown away,
or whether by adding to them We make the
whole profitable, and secure that CONNER
cial prize which has so often eludsd our
grasp.
Mr.. LATTE is especially foroible in his
statement Of the reasons which should in
ducs Us to strain every nerve to secure the
prompt completion Of the Blue Ridge Rail-
road. These reasons need not be reospitu-
lated here. But in assuming that the COM
pletion Of the Blue Ridge Railroad is the
ono great object for which to strive, we
must not forget that We have no reason to
hope for any outside help. Cincinnati and
Louisville already have their hands full;
they will push forward towards our bor-
ders. We must be ready to meet them.
The State Legislature has already au-
thorized the guarantee Of four millions Of
dollars for the completion Of the Blue Ridge
Railroad, and has pledged the faith and
credit Of South Carolina to the puaotual
payment Of the bonds that may be issued
for that purpose. But the great work will
require about six millions, and it is sll-im-
portant that it should not be suffered to lag
for want Of funds. South Carolina has, at
this time, fully $500, ,OOO. 900 Of taxable pre-
perty, and this must be so increased in
amount BY the opening Of the Blue Ridge
Road and tho influx Of new trade and COM
mercs, that We shall be able to pay, if ne
cessary, the whole interest on the money
to be spent in building the road, and yet be
less oppressed BY taxation than We are at
this time. We can give an abundant secur-
ity for all our debt and as the Blue Ridge
Railroad Is for the benefit Of the whole
State, we should be ready to give it assist
ance from the common fund, and so hasten
the coming Of the day which shall link
South Carolina and Ohio together, and
make each the means Of swelling tho for
(tune Of the other.
7 We repeat, that the completion Of the
Blue Ridge RalrQad is the one thing to
which we must direct all our efforts. The
State, the city and individual citizens must
never slacken their endeayorS until the
great work is accomplished.
A Good Man Gone.
..t;0a hpo o;n o;rc1ac oP tho Soufh-