The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-21
Richmond and Manchester.


sr;dco across the river, and the abolition
forever Of the tax upon the transit from
shore to shore. We say "toreVer," ior
bridge across the river from the foot OF sth
street mon arched stone piers, VIII De 50
enduring. 50 entirely safe from any now w.
80 ,,i,i ever take place, as to make !. 90
,,n.r IN the contamination OF that ou. a'ioh
- ,;r,,o called forever" as the world gen.
orally comes.
W. toll, the people of Manchester and
Richmond that the two must inevitably
become one corporation. No sensible man
nm either side will. we are sure, deny the
f.c. that such must be the ultimate fate OF
both. Then why not unite them now
Are the people Of both places so lmpractl-
cable-so prone to initiate the example OF
other communicates to continue strug-
rie Tor years against certain fate! shoulo
they not profit By the results elsewhere
looking upon them rs beacon-lights to warn
them against world Of trouble anu en-
pense, and submit at once to an lnevl1aple
decree?
By thus submitting. what will they ac-
complish? They Will get rid of years OF al
tercation, and possibly litigation, anu GER
tainly controversy before the Legislature
with endless expenses charged to their cor.
poratiou treasures. They will at once put
themselves in possession Of the advantages
tina, will undoubtedly enure to both by SUD-
iecting both to one corporate aonhhis'ia,
ton and one police system. "hat "oiiu
Of trouble will thus be avoided, anu "na'
immense advantages will thus be al once
secured to the men now living and owning
property, and hoping to be better OH IN the
world; but many of whom never can NC
better off unless this corporate un'on oe q
fected in their day.
How prone are men to dispute over
triftes, down to the ninth division OF half'
They 90 about cropping in the dark ana as
putting over nothings, and thus deprVins
themselves of the most solid blessincs-nay,
they will fight and she'd one another's blood
only to find that they have fought and shed
their blood for-nothing! Why is this
Because of two bad passions-Pride and
Ayarice. And those poor creatures who
sustain the shock and disaster OF following
these field marshalS Of SATAN himself eX-
pire upon the field cursing the hour when
they were led into the great error Of fight
ing for nothing and losing forever the
prizes which they sought by strife to ac-
euirel
Can we not hope that at least the inhabit-
ants of one locality are wise enough 10
avoid this great intirmity of man? Is there
not enough wisdom here-enough Of the
kindly and gentle influences Of education
nay, of scene and climate--to so temper the
passions as to allow reason and good sense
to prevail AS to allow practical sense to
triumph, and to admit the people now liy-
ing to & realization of the benefits and adj
vantages of measure so wise and so certain
of fuitilment as the union of Manchester
and Richmond under one municipal gov
eminent 1t would be an exception to past
examples, rejecting the highest honor upon
the public sense of the people hereabouts,
who would derive untold benefits from
their excellent sense, and calm, unclouded
philosophy.
Look at Manchester. What can she he
without being placed upon an equality
with Richmond in all the uses and advan-
tages of trade, by unrestricted intercourse
with Richmond? Why, nothing more than
stunted town, whose inhabitants have not
the means Of improving their houses and
grounds, which must continue to present
the appearance of squalid poverty and in
activity. The negro element will continue
to northumberland continue to sell low
and dilapidation continue to prevail.
Change the scene by annexing her to Rich
mond: What do we see? A grand free
bridge across the river-hundreds OF houses
going up-the population rapidly in
creasing-improvement and ornamentation
verywhere-manufactu increasing
hum Of industry observation-disclosures
and rags driven from the streets
property doubled, trebled, aud quad
rupled-and the whole beautiful land
scape Of the southside animated with
hundreds of enterprises, and busy
population, whose combined energies vii
make such revolution as has never beer
dreampt of by an inhabitant Of this town
Is such scene to be desired or to be avoid
ed by the living Tor vegetatlug) men o
Manchester? May we not ask is there 1
man in Manchester who would not like tt
see this grand revolution?
If the people of Manchester desire sucl
thing, now they can have it by at one
q uniting their town with Richmond. ]
] they decline this union, they only prolon!
their condition of obstruction, dilapida
ton, and dependency, and postpone the
advantages of the union for posterity. The
union is certain, and if they are wise they
will enjoy its benefits while they live.
Strange as it may appear, you will find
men reputed to be sensible bitterly oppo.
sing the union On pecuniary grounds. We
hear that even so sensible man as Mr.
JAMES 81. Cox once said that he would moi
unite Manchester to Richmond on account
of the debt of Richmond Well, look at
Richmond and look at Manchester. Who
wants to live in Manchester? And yet
Manchester is admirably located, and has
every facility in nature for the accommoda-
ton of human enterprise. The most solvent
man we ever knew had not q " continental
red, Che owed nothing and could not get
In debt, for nobody would trust him y and
the most fourishing community we ever
knew had an immense corporate debt, and
were able to pay it. Moreover, their bonds
were at premium! Mr.. Cox took the old
fogy view the view that, followed by Man
nhor<ar mill nnntsn,1o bar d,yorf, c,o M, Il