The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-09
The Middle Line of the Union.

or fhis Union were touc"co. uP"
.n, s,>oo..,s NJ the dinner given by the 1 q
...ao. xrhange on Wednesday night. Inc
o.' N:,,, :. one fraught with the deepest in
tcrcet and Importance.
1,hc immediate point of interest to the
tobacco fraternity was the fact that IN lhls
m ucic belt lies the great tobacco-nroouclhs
territory. But, IN references maze ~ Nv
the views were extended far beyond TINS
oac interest, and embraced the "i'o'e
world OF trade and manufactures.
And where do we find division OIL VIC
Union that can compare with it Tor It's ha''
urai blessings: It presents IN Creates 1"
rely and greatest abundance the heeeso"
res of life. 1t Is unsurpassed In It's il'n..
riches and so watered with pure anu -, LIE lie.
d'nt streams that the map of the worlu o, ~
plays hardly any country that eqoa,' ~
Then the temperature is so equabie ano . CIV
SKIES so bright that none can s'sn 10
Others. This delightful abode iof h'an ses
more favorable TO his health ana enei e. e.
than any other. 1t avoids the obs'luo' Az
lroStS OF more northern lines, ana 'he NV
pressing hests of those south Of II.
can achieve more in the year in this '"''i'''
region than he can in any other.
Happily, this is the centre of the Ohion,'
Tor the centre Of any system must DC s'io
TO make it durable. 1t Is, then, 'mpoi1"n'
to the Union that the wealth OF THIS ee,.'.
tral line should be made available IN oroei
| that the strength aud endurance OF the nA
ton may be promoted. Thus the eAtie",es
| viii be held more firmly together-no' W
the de2potic force Of power. but by the III
visible and divine chain OF pubhc lh'ei1s'
and popular content. The mild ana phiio,
sophie genius of the centre will, by increased
agencies and influences, become more o'i-
fused, and the bitter sectional antipatnles
will gradually diminish and disappear oe-
fore them.
For the promotion Of this grand national
object, the lines OF Improvement now pelhs
built across the bosom Of Virginia are pow
erftl agents. DR.. T. r. SPENCE, OF Clncln'
natl, at the Exchange dinner, in very aoie
speech alluded to these lines, and spoke
most emphatically of their national lmpor.
tancc. He spoke OF both the railroad anu
canal, and remarked that if Congress couio
be impressed with the Importance OF the
latter, and the great claims it presented 10
the consideration of the nation, money
would be appropriated out Of the Federal
Treasury for its early completion. The DOC
tor enlarged upon the great interests tnaI
were involved in the opening of this ma
tional lateral line of communication between
the Mississippi and the Atlantic, through
Virginia.
1t is delightful to see the intelligent lead
ing men of the West aroused with refer
ence to these important national enter
p,ises. We have seldom felt more enthu-
siasm than while listening to the convincing
arguments Of the able delegate from Gin
ciunati. We have for years argued that
one oil the effects of the opening of the VlT-
ginia lines by rail and water would be to
save the river cities of the West from SUBJ
ordination to those Of the lakes-from be-
ing gradually drained, or at least checked
and detained in stationary condition. The
river cities have been slow to see this fact !;
but we are glad to know that they are fully
aroused to this incidental value OF works
which will promote the welfare OF many
millions, covering an area Imperial III d.
mansions and Of power unlimited.
1t has been more than gratifying to the
ar.seeing friends OF the important line OF
communication through this lateral iuiddle
belt of the northern temperate zone that
recent surveys, by order Of the Federal
Government, have demonstrated the entire
practicubility of the water line through the
Alleghanies from the waters Of the James
| 10 the waters Of the Mississippi rivers-i. e.,
! from the Chesapeake to The Mississippi. 1t
| has been clearly aScertained that tunnel
| through the Allegheny nine miles long will
he work Of easy equiring
| at most only three years-the character OF
the rocks of the mountain range and the
depression of the ridges making the work
one easy Of accomplishment. The number
Of shafts may be increased to suit the
wishes and convenience Of those engaged
in the work, and the wonderful natural ar
ran.emcDt Of the watersheds relieves en-
ginecling of one of its worst enemies.
When these important and remarkable
facts ure made known in official form We
trust that the National Representative
may yield to the overwhelming considera
tions Of national interest and the welfare o
the great West, and order the completion
OF the central water line, upon which Fir
. ginia has expended ten millions already
: and which she is willing to give up as be-
part OF the expenditure upon work which
| il it is not national, then there is no ma
tioral work in this Union.
We rccur to these important matter
with especial pleasure, in view of the en-
couraging circumstances which SURROUND
them. Failing in war in which Virgins
: was compelled to play part-and tina
part decided by circumstances over which
Size had no control-Te are now the SINGER,
advocates OF great and beneticent Govern
ment tor this Union-an honest, just, ant
) impartial Government. Virginia Will Civ,
her heart and all she has in the effort to Sc
D cure such Government for the Union Q
I which she Is sincere and devoted mem
d Der.
+ Believing that in phyaical point Of vie,
the binding Of The centre together by late
:" ral lines, and the strengthening of that Ger
e ire by increasing its prosperity and power
will promote the endurance, dignity, an
: justice of the Union, she is ready and hear
= lily desirous to make any sacrifice for its a.
: complishmcnt. If she is met by the Go,
! ernment with spirit equally sincere an