The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-15
Planning for the Future.

| There are TO be great operations ana cS-
| tensive enterprises in and about this locality
| in few years, and 1t win be well for our
people IL they school themselves into the
habit of looking ahead and forecasting the
situation, which win require many new ar
| rangcments and considerable expansion OF
scope and verge for the actions and adven-
lures of men. We invite the attention es-
peeially of young men to this Interesting
| subject.
Already there is considerable extension
and growth of this city. There are men
| prone to look ON the dark side who never
see ANYTHING encouraging about them. But
let any man of observant disposition ana
calm judgment take n review OF Richmond
and its surrounding territory, he will ineyi-
tably come to the conclusion that there has
been great improvement since the war.
There are more well cultivated small farms,
and the former ragged ends Of streets are
dressed up and show decidedly more clean
illness and thrift. 49,.
Now, il with all the depressing influences
which have borne upon this city there has
been increase and improvement, what may
we not look for when the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad is finished, and our straight
road to Lynchburg is in operation? There
will be that kind Of commerce and manu-
featuring enterprise that will require great
deal more Of area, and much addition TO
the accommodation of maritime trade.
Look at Richmond where she is seated
upon the James river, which is her ooun-
Diary. The centre Of her business Is upon
the shore of that river, and is therefore de-
prived of its proper circumference. rms Is
a great inconvenience to the business OF the
city. That men, in their living and their
coming and going should enjoy the greatest
convenience in the pursuit OF their aVoca-
tons, they should have the advantage OF
communication in all directions from the
centre oflher occupation. Therefore Man.
chester ought to be not only included as
part of Richmond, but access TO 1t ought 10
he free and unobstructed. The river should
be Spanned by at least two free bridges, and
they should be traversed by street railroads,
and should be lighted so as that they would
be safe and refreshing promenades, and the
social and business intercourse between the
two sides of the river should be entirely In
innate and active.
What field for operations and for specu-
lation is presented in the fair landscape on
the south side Of james river. Throw it into
Richmond, and fresh and added energy
will contribute to her prosperity, and in
crease the value of her property as well
Is the extent Of her business.
In our maratime enterprises we want
more accommodation. Wewant wharfage;
we want facilities for the delivery of rail-
road fleights and for the transfer of through
l'reights. TO afford these as they are de-
manded will require that our people and
our public authorities shall take liberal
view of things and act promptly.
These are interesting topics. We invite
the reader to think of them, and to ascend
the most elevated Of our hills occasionally,
and therefrom take view of the situation.
1t is intensely interesting. The active and
sagacious mind can readily see how the
grand scenes around him may be peopled
with an erterprising population, aud ami
mated with the livelest signs of thrift and
industry. Nor will it fail to discover the
means whereby this scene may be brought
about.
Certainly, the picture will never be
filed out unless our people adopt the
proper policy that is required. The limits
Of Richmond must be extended soon. The
longer it is postponed the more difficult will
be its accomplishment. We must look
about 1T Uncc a. I'LL tneSt Iiiattcrs. we must
begin soon to prepare for what is to come.
The more the subject is considered the
better it will be understood, and we
earnestly urge it upon the attention OF the
citizens-especially upon the enterprising
young men, merchants and others. Let us
all elevate ourselves to the height Of the ar
gumcnt of the next grand chapter in the
history Of Richmond. She has had her
share Of calamities it is time she had her
day of prosperity, and it is near at hand.
--------------------
Honor at West Point.