The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-20
Guenil,s State Journal
The Raailroad Bill.

utCldrtu Ut Ine Odpitoi, we nope tnOse gen
| tlemen, whose quibbles have been so great
upon the question that has so long beon
before them, will make calm and impas-
stoned review of the facts and figures in
volved Each succeeding day can but
add, in the minds Of the public and all
disinterested and unbiased persons, to the
evidences already presented in favor of an
immediate acceptance of the overtures that
have been made to us by the Pennsylvania
Central railroad company. Not since
the assembling of our present body of
representatives in this city--nay, not even
since the cessation of actual hostilities be-
tween the North and the South, has any
subject been brought to the consideration
of cur Lawmakers any ways comparable
to this bill in the momentousness of tho
interests that must be affected by its defeat
or passage.
Strange to say, decade after decade and
generation after generation have passed
away, in the history of Virginia, and
during the life of each the great rational
advantages possessed by Richmond for be-
coming great manulacturingGmporium,
have constituted a conspicuous subject of
remark. But still our beautiful city rests
quietly and unprogressively in the midst
of her hills, while the rolling James dashes
by over its bed Of rugged rock, in all tho
freedom of unimproved and primitive
nature. Ia other sections villages, planted
contemporary with Richmond, have, uader
the influence Of new ideas of progress and
improvement, grown iuto mighty
cities, populations have increased from
thousands to millions, and the barren lands
been converted into blooming hills and
valleys.
A history o. all these localities will
prove the fact that their rapid growth and
prosperity have been due chiefly to the
construction of some great system of in
ternal Improvement in their vicinity.
These latter multiplied, and we have yet
to learn that they ever seriously jeopardized
the interests of each other, or the CON-
munities through which they pass on the
contrary, thrift, wealth, power and popula-
tion follow in their wake, business becomes
competent to accommodate all, and one
serves as a counterpose to correct abuses
that might be inflicted by the other. Are
the gentlemen of the General Assembly
familiar with the history of the Erie canal ?
Do they know what the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad hes done for the State and
commercial metropolis of Maryland Do
they know anything of the canal and rail-
road systems of the great Northwest ?
We refer them to these as commentaries
upon the suicidal policy which has gov
erned the people of Virginia for more than
half century.
We have delightful climate, we have
rich lands, we have great natural resources,
but we lack the means and facilities for
their development When these are
offered to US, we, in the midst of our .imid~
ity ard weakness, declare we had rather
live in Bnotian darkness aud pay Mr.
Daniel our last farthing for travelling on
his machine at snail's gallop, than receive
the proffered assistance But the matter
is one too grave for merriment. We urge
the granting Of the charter asked, with
. - Eno ha linn ,nl,on
completed, will constitute another one Of
those radii, converging at the city of Rich
mond, which are to build her up and make
her a great commercial and manufacturing
metropolis. Each State must have great
trade centre, capable of promoting and
sustaining commercial, manufacturing and
agricultural pursuits in her own territory.
Without these, under those irresistible
laws that control such matters, we will lind
district after district, whenever they can
do SO, separating themselves from the main
body of the State, save in legal point of
view, and establishing themselves under
the commercial jurisdiction of other trade
centres. We have been bereft of the
beautiful and fertile valley cf the Blue
Ridge, and large proportion of tide-water
Virginia is travelling the same route. Thus
we will soon be without hands, feet, legs,
or arms, and the great heart of Virginia
will atrophy for lack Of its mutually de-
pendent members.
Boston is the great trade center Of
Massachusetts, New York of New York; ;
Philadelphia of Pennsylvania; Baltimore
Of Maryland; Cincinnati of Ohin Chicago
Of Illinois; st. Louis of Missouri, and
Richmond with proper legislation and
energy on the part of our representa-
| tives may soon be made to stand in the
same relation with what is left of Virginia.
The opportunity is now favorable for the
accom- plishment of so desireable an end.
| If our legislative body cannot be aroused
to the importance of accepting it, and have
no thought for Richmond, we appeal to
them in behalf of our suffering farmers
aud planters, at least, to open every outlet
iuto the State, by which they may be en-
abled to fnd the best markets, and obtain
q L.