The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-04
Tho Virginia Water-Line.

Tho yo,, York Tribune has brief edl1o'
rial notice of the watcr-ine rom .he ~
,.;ro, to the Chesapeake r'd the Nanny"
and Ian,e. rivers, based upon a stalen'eh'
made to the editor by gentleman "no n.''
made the Ohio and its tributaries s'"oy
y. estimates the cost Of the canai al
so 600 600. Of which 81, 200, 900 has ALREADY
been expended on the James River canal
leaving sac, 0O0, 900 yet to be raised. lie ne
lieyes "that the work would save Slo'Voo''
(. 600 Der annum to the people IN anoroins
:. chcanor transportation TO the seaboard o.
.sthe great staples of the West, and iniano
..of the goods required in exchange WINE
9 the very best bituminous coat for gas
making and general purposes woul" "e
" cheapened along the seaboard.
The Board of Trade proposes 10 o'se"S'
mi. great line to-day and we anticipate III
array of facts and arguments that VIII sho"
how important it is to the nation III us
MIGHTY influence upon the increase oil weaitn
and population of the country. a,er 'r'i,s-
portation for heavy freights must always Dc
cheaper than any other. The iorcea lg''ie'
produced by rrinous competition III CASE
mr. two NAV now and then occasion some
douht in few minds, but the graho anu
enduring aggregate will exhibit triumph
for water transportation-a triumph "h'en
is tie logical deduction from the plalheS'
and most practical premises the nature OF
rhc water medium, its almost unlimited ca
pacitv, and the freedom 1t extends 10 ever!
man who may own boat to run 1t nj I'LL
times, unrestrained by schedules oil times
Of departure or arrival, or rate OF Speed
&C.. Sc. The comparative capacity OIL rail-
roads and water-lines is so greatly IN iaFof
Of the latter that il seems hard to over-state
il. ..-oo,,,
Now, the United States has no water COM
m,oication between the Atlantic and the
Mississippi Talley-the great storehouse Oh
production Of the nation-cxcept two, tha'
lie. one on its northern and one on It's
southern border. They are both liable 10
interruption in case of hostilities, and both
annually liable to serious and prolonged
Interruptions from the seasons. The north
ern is suspended five months by frost the
southern is practically suspended part OF
tho summer because the heat there Is de-
structive to much of the western produce
sought to be shipped by it. Both are round
about routes, consuming a great deal OF
time.
Now, the central water-line drains the
very centre of production Of the great west,
and traverses the central latitude OF the
Union, which is below the line of obstruc-
tive frosts and above that Of intense heat,
which is detrimental to produce and exhaust
inc to man. Upon it greater amount OF
labor the year round and greater amount
Of transportation may he done than upon
any other line. This line will be safe in
time of war, and be able to supply the sub
sistcncc for any army this Republic can
raise.
Such q line is demanded by every conside-
ration relating to the national welfare. 1t
should consist of both water and rail both
systems constructed in the most perfect
manner. The route itself is superior 10 all
others as we'll for its gentle cline rs its easy
grades. TraverScd by condnits such rs
those we describe, the whole nation would
feel their invigorating influence. They
would engender mutual sympathies between
sections, encourage national harmony,
and immensely swell the physical re-
sources of the country. The present
outlets are incapable Of transporting
the immense products Of the West, and
the western country demands relief by
the construction of others. The mid
die line would give this relief. 1t would be
the most efficient and least INSTRUCTED OF
ell. and would save 10 the people OF the
West millions per annum-not only in the
reduction of freights, but in safely convey
Ing 10 market vast amount OF produce
now annually lost by the perils of the north
crn transportation.
Not to build the middle water-line would
he the greatest national delinquency. 1t is
work more demanded than any within
The national territory, and will do more for
national power and prosperity than any
now projected.