The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-12-16
Old Augusta to Greene, Madison and Gull
pepper-Greeting -, ~ s.
Direct Communication from Washington,
vio. CuLppper c. IT., Madison c.. H.,
iStanordsvtte, .SwJft Ram Gap, and
~. Port Republic to Stanton!

-l.9 Fort hf11NOttC 10 kStuNHtOU.
In this day of short lines and rapid inter-
course, we have been surprised to find that no
one has, heretofore, suggested the construc-
ton of line of rail way, along the route
above indicated.
We now respectfully invite the attention of
our contemporaries of the Culpcpper Ad0ance,
and Observer, to the merits Of the scheme.
The early completion of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad, to the Kentucky and Ohio
lines, may henceforth be regarded as fixed
fact. This road will furnish an important |
link in the chain of communication between !
the seat of Government of the U. S and the
Western and South Western States. Trav. I
oilers going Westward and Southwark, will
take the Alexandra and Lynchburg road to
Gordonsvillc, and there be transferred to the
Chesapeake and Ohio road to be conveyed to
the Ohio River. The advantages of this
route on the score of. directness, safety, beau
ty of scenery, and exemption from Interrupt
lions by snow and ice, will, unquestionably,
make it favorite. Thousands of travellers
who now adopt more northern lines, will be
delighted to take this route in preference to
any other. There is but one drawback to it,
That is the ugly bend Southwark, which the
road now makes, to go by Gordonsvillo and
Charlottesville.
If our friepds of the Aduance and Obser-
Ger, will refer to the latest map of Virginia,
they will find that the Railroad from Alex
andria, as far as Culpepper G. H., is almost
on the direct line to the Western terminus of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Road. But, at Gull
pepper c. H., it makes large detour to the
Southwark, which throws it, probably twenty
miles or more, from the direct line.
In the active competition which will take
place, in few years, between the various
through lines, this elbow in the road, with the
increased distance Of twenty five or thirty
miles, which it involves, will seriously affect
tie general travel on the entire line.
Now for the remedy. An inspection Of the
map will show, if You will take string,
and place one end of it at Culpepper c. H.,
and stretch it Westward, to Staunton, that i:
will make an almost direct continuation of
the course of the road from Alexandria to
Culpepper G. H.; and that it will pass very
near Madison G. H., Stanardsville, Swift-Run
Gap, Port Republic, and thence up the Val
leys of Middle River, and Lewis Creek, to
Staunton A road on this route, would bear
about the same relation to the present road,
that the diameter of semicrcle, bears to the
road as can be made between Culpepper G. Fl
and Stanton and we believe it would cut of
about 80 miles OF distance. If this road is
made, it will, beyond all pcradventurc, be a
link in the great chain of thoroushfare from
East to West; from Washington, to the West
ern and South Western States.
But, independently of these National, Or
Ecunaenicol advantages, the road would be Of
incalculable advantage to the country through
which it would pass. 1t would strike through
the heart of Madison and Greene, and then
after touching the North West line of Abe
marie drain some of the most fertile portions
of Rockingham and Augusta. We are in
formed. also, that it would open up rich
mineral region and unlock stores Of wealth
that are now embosomed in the mountain
spurs.
Let our friends Of the .4d0ance and O5ser-
per, therefore put on their spectacles, and
look into this matter! We also invite the
attention of our esteemed contemporaries Of
the Rockingham Register and Old Common
soeahh, to it. It is certainly worthy Of en-
quirg and consideration.
The people of Madison and Greene are now
without any convenient outlet to market
Let them bestir themselves. Let the voice OF
Gen. Kemper, Mr.. Early, and others, along
the route, be heard in support of it. The
people Of Alexandria and Washington, ought,
also, to be enlisted in its behalf. IF Wash
ington wishes to head off the removal par
ty," and retain the seat of Government she
must render the metropolis accessible to re-
mote parts Of the Union She must not con
tent herself with passing empty resolutions.
She must lay her hand to the work. She
must open her purse, and contribute, with
liberality, to its accomplishment. No time
should be lost. This is an age Of Progress.
Things are moving The Pennsylvania Ger
trail is now surveying route from the Poto-
mac, up the Page, or Shenandoah Valley, to
Salem. This route would leave Washington
and Baltimore forty or fifty miles to the East,
aud run directly to New York. It is said to
be 70 miles less from Wsynesborough or
Stauntou, to New York, by this route, than
by either the Gordousyille OF Strasburg route
This diminution of distance, will tell on the
through travel. It Therefore behooves Wash
ington and Baltimore to do all in their power
to neutralze it. The cutting off Of Is or 30
miles between Staunton and Washington,
would go long way in effecting this object.
What do our friends of the Advance and
Observer say to our project? What do the
Reriefer and lIf1 Con,o, on,eeulfb think of II 2