The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-25
A Western Movement.

We learn from the st. Louis papers that
public meeting was 10 be held in that city
on Tuesday last, at which Mr.. MONROE, of
Iowa, was to make an address OH the sub
Ject Of the James River and Kanawha Ca
nal. We have not received the papers con-
tanning an account of the proceedings of
the meeting; but we have Il very decided
editorial article from the st. Louis Demo-
Cr0t, declaring that the canal giving water
communication between the Mississippi and
the. Chesapeake Bay may be more important
to st. Louis than even the Mississippi river.
The Democrat is one of the two most III
fluential papers Of the State. 1t puts the
case i'll L very strong manner.
We have always contcndcd that the West
was more deeply interested in the canal
than the East. 1t Will be a great source Of
wealth to Virginia, and yet is more import
ant to Ohio, Kentucky, and Missouri. than
to Virginia. TO the Union its vsue can
not be overstated. 1t would do more to
harmonize the States and strengthen the
Republic than any other Improvement that
can be made. 1t would give to the centre
the heart of the Union-that water trans
portation which it has at It's northern ana
southern eXtremities. 1t would be the
most important of the three. 1t would be
safe from molestation in time Of war. and
would be equal to the demands for sub
sistence of the largest armies it could be
possible for this great nation TO put in the
field. Yet, as great us this service would
be, its power over the social and political
dispositions Of the people OF the different
sections, and its tendency to develOpe tho
resources and increase the strength of the
Union are Of still greater value. In nc
other single measure Of domestic policy
could the Federal Government do so mucl
to bind the Union together and promote
its power and dignity rs by building thl:
grand canal by the easy route through
Virginia. While it has such u scheme 81
home unfinished it should never loob
abroad for great projects to unite the
oceans.
It Is beyond question that the canal con
nectingthe western waters with the Atlanta
is q project Of vital Importance to the ono
river cities and several of those of the
Mississippi. The Lake cities are sucking
their life blood from them, and unless 4
great deal is done to hold the commerce q
the West to the Ohio river, they will moi
grow much in future. 1t is true they will
have the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad
connections with the Virginia tide, but
these will not complete their defences. Yet
the canal to help that great work will per.
nanentiy maintain the integrity Of the cen
trail commerce passing from the Ohio
through the favorable line in middle Nir-
gina, and make the tide taking that drcc-
ton the most roluminous of ALL
If the western people will only awake to
their true interests, and give its united sup
port TO the construction of the canal by the
Federal Government, the scheme will sue.
coed, and be completed within few years.
We IN no sense mean to become parti-
San for water or for rail. We are the friend
of bo:h modes Of communication. They
are, properly considered, auxiliaries. There
will be enough Of occupation and Of profit
for both In the carrying trade Of the middle
district OF the United States. Extreme as
sertions on either side We have deemed un-
just. The middle ground is the correct one.
Railroads will continue TO fulfill their mis-
sion; but that is not, in our opinion, to
Kill canals. We have no idea that RAILWAYS
will ever transport ponderous freiphts
cheaper than water; and as time goes on.
and railways become more expeditions In
their movements, they will rather avoid
than seek the most unwelldy freights, since
these Ictald speed and increase immensely