The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-13
RICHMOND MUST AND SHALL BE
SAVED.

Everything must be done to uphold the
hand, even unto the going down of the
suns, of those patriotic citizens of Richmond,
headed by Mr.. Ellyson, who are making
such heroic effort 20 save their and our
city from the clutches Of the Little South
side Railway King, who, like the frog in
the fable, has swollen himself up almost
to the bursting point with vanity, through
tho fattery Of bis satellites and parasites.
To this much abused city has been left
a small hope of keeping open, free and
untrammeled, for her own use and benefit,
the trade of the Southern tier of States,
bordering on the Atlantic, through the
Petersburg and Weldon railroads. On
this, the hydra Of the Southside, or the
boa Constructor, has long had his covetous
eyes fixed for the final spring. He made
it in the General Assembly during the past
week, but was met with herculean blow
from club ia direction he least ex-
pected.
him by surprise, and forced him to draw
back again in dismay. Henry K. Ellysop
has shown himself equal to this, as he has
to other great emergencies, and coming
grandly up to the rescue, with his gallant
supporters, has, we trust, thwarted the
devilish designs of the Southside swallower-
up of "uuconsidered trifles," such as small
railroad lines. The Legislature, the people
and the press Of the city, and 10 fact of
the whole State, ought to, and must sustain
him now or fall forever into this small
giants rapacious clutches.
We, of Richmond and Petersburg, and
other cities north of Mahone's line, cannot
afford to give him the control Of this par
ticular road for thousand reasons, but
principal among which, because it will be
rnnous to our whole future to surrender
to his keeping all our interests which lie
in the direction of the South.
| He has already cut US off, in a great
measure, from our full share of the traffic
in that direction, by his war upon the
Danville road and now, to give him the
full control of the Petersburg road, would
BE- to allow hia to establish an impregna-
bic line of battle, with Notifications all
along our whole southern frontier, which
We would never perhaps be able to pene.
trate. That is his whole aim. He wants
to erect this barrier between the James
and the entire South, and it will be th,
greatest piece of folly ever committed BY
any people, if we of Richmond and th'
Northside do not nip his hopes in thei
very bud.
Right here the battle is to be made a
present, and knowing well the cunning as
tuteness of the little General, all our force
must be at once brought to the front. w
must keep this line in our hands, with it
, terminus right here, where it may be free t
connect with whatever lines it may see fit
or leave both trade and travel to selec
routes for themselves hence, if we woul
not yield up forever the rich commerce Q
; the future South, and all hopes of ever be
ing great city.
: Malone and his friends would build u
the Sonthside alone. They arc entirel.
: selfish, and will give nothing to this cit
or the other poiuts north Of us. 1t is
: battle to the death and let it be fought on
e gallantly right here. Stand by Elysor
e Anderson, and their friends now, men {
a Richmond, or perish That is the ques
s ton at issue.