The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-15
spIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS.

SPIRIT OF THE mo
The ENQUIRER says that while it will do
all in its power to aid Norfolk and other
Virginia cities, yet it will never consent
that one shall be favored to the detri-
mani of others. 1--WE would not rob
Norfolk of any Of her trade, but we
must be allowed to demand for her sister
cities the opportunities to compete win
her in an open and fair competition.
That is exactly where we stand. we
desire to see every town end city In VIZ
ginia prosper and grow in wealth ana
population and we believe that tho in
PRODUCTION of foreign capital, and good
class of immigration will have this
effect. We believe also that Rich
mond is the heart of the State, and
that its healthful condition is necessary
to the health of the State. Furthermore,
we ought not to paralize one side of the
body, that the other may be strengthened,
lop off the right arm, that the left may
become more vigorous, or destroy the left
eve merely that it may add to the power
of the right. Why should everything be
done for Norfolk, and nothing for poor,
neglected Richmond ? And not Richmond
only. but every town and village on either
side of the road, from the North Carolina
line to the Potomac; and not only every
town, but every farm within forty miles
on either side of the road.
The Enquirer goes on to show that Nor
fold will not be injured, but, on the con-
trary, benefited by the increase of railroad
facilities, which will augment trade and
travel and lower rates. And it also joins
us in asking if the country has no rights
which the cities are bound to respect.
Have the farmers along the lines OF the
roads, and the manufacturers and mer-
chants, not an equal claim to legislative
consideration, with the people gathered
together in our larger populations There
fore, it says, while
Thus disposed favoraby to the prosperity of
our cities, we are more disposed to build up
and foster the country, and we can conceive OF
no surer or speedier mode to give new i'm
pulse to the country than by stimulating in
creased productions, reviving old and creating
new interests; than by opening up new and
iberalizing the policy of old avenues to traffic.
Just as General Malone is doing on his great
We have roads East and West, tn rough
the central portion of the State, and our
system in that respect is quite complete,
or will be with the Chesapeake and Ohio
finished and now let us have our system
North and South also made perfect by
running this road through Richmond, from
Boston to the gulf coast of Florida. The
travel and commerce in this direction will
be greater in few years than it will be
between the East and the West. On APP
palachie bay a second New Orleans will
rise. where all the trade of the gulf will be
carried on, and our flour for South America,
Mexico. Central America and the West
Indies, will be shipped from that port.
This prophecy WILDE realized, whether
we have this road or not; and a road Will
pass through Virginia to that embryo city
on the Gulf, whether we charter this one
or not but Richmond will lose all its
benefits, unless she improves the present
opportunity. Why, we can and Will make
perfect Venus on the Gulf, with an air.
line to it from Richmond, which will COM
mand all the trade of the tropics and
shall we let this golden opportunity escape
us2
The Enquirer plainly shows how the
country, as well as the cities, will be bene'
fitted by this through line between New
York and the Gulf 1t goes on to say:
1t is not denied that an all,railway from the
Roanoke to W Washington will thus liberalize
the management of the existing roads from the
Roanoke 10 the Potomac, and give an impetus
to the country they traverse, converting them
from curse, which they have been, TO
blessing, adding taxable values to the pro-
yUh
pass, so desirable to the State at large in the
depleted condition of our treasury, affording
heavier receipts to the several corporations In
which our cities and the State hold large ms
terests, and thus beneftting all within the
compass of their influence.
In closing, the Enquirer makes kindly
overtures to all the other interests, pubic
and private, in the State, only asking the
same Justice in return for ourselves. 1t
shows that the capture of the coast trade
of the South, or at least of North Caro-
lima. cannot possibly injure the Southslde
consolidated line Of General Malone,
which receives none of that trade. 1t can
only affect the Seaboard road. which makes
a wharf boat of Portsmouth, and mere
flag-staton of Norfolk. The Enquirer
says:
To secure. however, in the hands of our own
people the po,oer which will deprive the cap
rure Of the coast line of all capacity of damage
real or imaginary, the friends of the preseno
applcaton for extension, have again and agar
preferred to Join hands with the A., M. and u
road and with Norfolk to give Thorn all and ev
ery protection, in manner and form as the,
might indicate, and, alb initio, have sought il
every human way to assure the public OF al
entire willingness to be placed under an.
bonds, which could be forged, to restrain al
improper use of the authority asked for.
But all in vain. This Pennsylvania road
whose policy is to identify its prosperity aolt
The prosperity of the country, 1t traverses
whose policy is commended to the imitation
our own railroads as one which makes rail
roads a blessing, and not curse, must b
allowed no foothold in Virginia. Have W
not been realizing the curse long enoughf o
shall the people who have begun to enjoy tn
benefits vouchsafed in the A. M. y. road
alone be the recipients of the blessing
We see no good reason why these road
should endeavor to cross each others plans
if thew do cross each others tracks. The
are not rivals-do not compete for tn
same business-and why, as the Enquire
saws, cannot they be friends Z?
The Dispatch has something to sa
about the new enforcement bill now befol
-. ..,l;ol IL doas mt like becalls