The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-10
THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.


line from the city of Richmond to Phila-
delphia, with connections running to other
points South The pros and cons are dis
cussed with great warmth by the cham
pions on the respective sides, while the
real issue is almost utterly forgotten, or
hidden from view in the smoke of the con-
tiict. TO suppose for moment that any
city or section of country could possibly
suffer by the passage of a railroad through
it, no matter under what system it may
be operated, or whose interest it may be
intended to subserve, is proposition too
absurd to admit of serious consideration.
The history of the most flourshing,
populous, aud wealthy sections of the
United States, attests this fact. 10 those
localities, every conceivable combination
and strategy of railroad policy, arising
from local, individual or State interest,
have taken active part either for or against
their construction. In the end who has
been right? Pari passu with the interest
and magnitude of our internal improve
ments, 10 matter who appears or what
interest is said to be threatened at the
tine of their construction, we observe the
growth in numbers and wealth of the
population through which they pass Yet
some Of our journals lash themselves into
fury, 10 appearing to discuss the evils that
must befall Richmond, Petersburg, and
Norfolk, by granting the privilege Of pas
sage through our territory to another
through line. But Richmond, Petersburg
aud Norfolk are not the real objects OF this
affected solictude. They serve only as
the breastworks behind which "the oppo-
stion" fight the battles of another corpo-
ration The presence Of this huge Penn
sylvana company, which would dispense
such great benefits to all that section of
Virginia through which it would pass,
would trench most seriously upon the mo-
nopoiy which has been so long enjoyed by
the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Poto-
mac company.
Inaugurated and built under the old
regime, this latter establishment, true to
the spirit of the age in which it had its
birth, has been content for more than a
third of century to drag its weary length
along to the tune of about seventy-five
miles. But this lack of enterprise and
progress on the part of the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad, is
not the only charge that may be brought
to its door. The benefits accruing to the
people who dwell within its vicinity, as a
result of their proximity, have been very
little more than such as are to be derived
from the presence of country road or
turnpike company.
The enormous tariffs which it has con-
tinualy demanded has placed it almost
entirely beyond the power Of many to enjoy
the facilities of railroad travel, and its high
freights consume a large proportion of
their laborious earnings. This is mat
ter entirely local in its bearings, but second
to n me in Importance F; for upon il hangs
the question whether railroads are created
for the people or the people for railroads.
When another corporation, able and will
ing to correct these evils, steps forward
and begs the privilege of being permitted
to do so, this huge horse-leech arouses
from its Rip Van Wrinkle sleep, and throws
its continuity iuto series of peristaltic mo-
tons, meaning that somebody has thrown
a sack of salt on his tail.
But let us return to first principles, or
what appears to be the great first priuci
pie in the agitation OF this subject. In
the concern felt for the life of the cities
and citizens of Richmond, Petersburg and
Norfolk, which it seems would be SO much
by granting the privileges
asked by the Alexandria and Fredericks-
burg railroad company, have the people of
the interior districts--the agricultural COM
part? 1t appears not. Are
the claims of the farmers to be entirely ig-
uOreu, --aS well dS tu6 uuuuTcuS Vi bOWDS, |
hamlets aud villages along the line of this
route? AS representative Of their inte-
rests equally with all other interests in
this State, we demand for our rural popu-
ations, so long neglected for the cities,
some measure of justice, and some defe-
renee to their opinion which is unanimous
n favor of cheap transportation for their
produce to the best market, and low fares
md quick time for themselves when they
ravel, little caring whether they shall be
indebted to Pennsylvania, or Russian
America, for this consummation so devout-
y to be wished. They will be thank.
al for the boon no matter from what d. !
ect It may come. 1t is not without rea-
on, in view of what we are doing, tho
country people ask: "Will you lock up
ntirely the avenues of trade with the in
erior, to the detriment of the rural dis
riots of the State, tor the purpose of di-
-ertng commerce to the cities of Rich
nond, Norfolk and Petersburg, whether it i
u. g. II |