The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-24

cannot get any worse therefore, any
change will be for the better.
1t matters not how many roads may be
built to terminate here or continue on
through, We shall eventually be benefited
by them. All we desire is that they may
be built and paid for, and it makes no
difference where the money comes from or
under whose direction lis expended. Why
it is the most ridiculous proposition we
have ever heard made or seriously enter
tanned. That this city, and that portion
of Virginia which lies between the North
Carolina line and Washington through
which the proposed road will pass, should
yield up the benefits promised by this
great enterprise, merely to aid Norfolk in
her efforts to attain that commercial sup
remacy which this city now holds, and
which her people are quite as anxious to
hold on to as Norfolk is to take away from
them
No; we like you very well, gentlemen
OF Norfolk, but we cannot sacrifice every
thing to friendship. That would be bit
of Pythiau sentimentality, we have
grown entirely too practical to think of in-
dulging in for moment.
But these Norfolk people mean business,
and we must be prepared to meet and
thwart their schemes or rather the
schemes of Mr.. Moncure Robinson, the
Seaboard Road, and the Bay. Line. The
Day Book indicates that combined effort
will be made to defeat the all-rail line, and
every appliance will be brought to bear in
the Legislature to influence that body adj
versely. 1t says:
Let them instruct our Senators and Delegates
in the General Assembly to oppose this scheme
with all their ability. Let protest be pre-
pared and forwarded to them for presentation
to the General Assembly, setting forth our on.
position to this scheme, and the grounds for it.
This matter demands instant and imperative
action; action that will show our apprecia-
ton of the immense Importance to us of the
defeat of this scheme. Let us be up and doing.
We have no trade to lose our railroads are
not now the help that they should be, or rather
we are not now in condition to avail ourselves
OF all the trade that they bring to our door
but do not let us throw away that which we
can control. Action, immediate action only
can save us.
Gentlemen of the Board Of ..Trade-this mat
ter comes under your supervision. See to it
that you discharge your duty to this com
munity. Let not the trade that belongs to
Norfolk be spirited away to Philadelphia by
your indifference.
Let your voice be heard; let the General
Assembly know that Norfolk still lives and de-
mands protection for herself and the State let
not the life-blood of our merchants be drained
to Gil the already overlooking veins of Phila-
delphia. Delay not, but act at once the
danger is near and pressing; meet it, and by
your action turn it aside, or we NAV as well
say farewell to the trade and commerce of the
port of Norfolk bid adieu to the fondly cher
ished hope of her future greatness; build a
ence about her, and leave her monument to |
'ur own supineness and want OF energy.
"Forewarned, forearmed )" and we thank
'ur contemporary that it has so frankly
proclaimed the intentions and policy of
hose whose interests it SO warmly es-
oouses. We must be ready to meet and
epel this sortie from Norfolk, and over
brow those plans and sch emes, which are
raught with SO much mischief to Rich
nond. Let us be on our guard.