The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-02
The openine of the New Books.

The Opening of the New Books.
Yesterday Richmond began a new year In
her career. and opened new books and the
new chapter Of her history which is to be
the most prosperous she has ever known.
after long years Of prostTatien and hard
shin, she has struggled through her greatest
difficulties. She has, with the exception ofonly
gap or two, rebuilt her burnt district with
houses far superior to those that were burned.
In her labor TO get out of the slough of her
misfortuncs she has gotten at last upon solid
ground, and stands more firmly than ever.
From her present position she may readily ad-
vance. She can avail herself of the new means
Of commerce and Of increase with entire case.
Her people have had an education IN mlsior-
tune which will be invaluable to them in the
new fields Of enterprise and trade now aooa'
to be opened to them.
For twenty years or more the means OF
Richmond for access to the rich producing
interior have stood still. No new artery OF
trade in that time has been opened for her.
No wonder that she has been stationary
that she has increased very slowly.
\ NEW ERA HAS NOW CONE CPoS HER /:
The Chesapeake and Ohio railroad opens
for her a communication with the West su-
pcrior to all Others connecting the Ohio with
the Atlantic tide. Before the end Of the
year which began yesterday this line Of COM
municatiou will lie completed and in full
opcration. Richmond, commercially speak
ing. is the terminus Of that road. Recent
events should remove oil doubt upon the
subject 1t Is idle to attempt TO describe the
advantages which that road will secure for
Richmond. Situated and circilmstanced as
she i, the peculiar trade Of the West and
Northwest is precisely adapted to her mar
ket. Tint it will be immense all agree. 1t
will give new being to Richmond, and inn
part new life to all her enterprises. 1t was
on Christmas day that the papers announced
the passage of the tunnel act by the City
Council and the determination Of the CheSa-
pes,ke and Ohio Company to build all the
warehouses and wharvcs necessary for the
arrangement Of their immense business here
In Richmond. The announcement was the
most Joyous Of Christmas gifts.
Nor is this new channel to the West
opened for our people the only addition that
we are to have within the ensuing year to the
means Of building up the city. 1t is, indeed,
in magnitude greater than all others but
yet there are other ways and facilities which
may be turned to great account.
The air line to Atlanta will be finished this
year, shortening our communication with the
Gulf States one hundred and thirty miles.
This will give us An advantage in the trade
with that part of the world which may be
made just as beneficial as the energy and en-
tcrprisc Of our business men may determine.
Our manufacturers have for many years, I'M
der al! the serious disadvantages they suf-
fcred, done large business with the cotton
and sugar States; and they will with the
new facilities they me to have do a much
larger business than ever.
Already have the obstacles that formerly
cut lis oil from the lucrative trade Of honest
North Carolina been pretty well removed.
The unshuckling of the Petersburg, Weldon
and Wilmington line was great days work
for Richmond and the subsequent renting
of the North Carolina railroad by the Rich
mond and DanvilIe Company broke the last
link of the chain which had bound down our
intercourse with a people who were our
natural friends, allies, and customers.
Our trade with North Carolina has become
70 live npi rpnihlp IpprooGa
will our trade with South Carolina and the
Gulf States. We shall yet see n smart cotton
trade in Richmond.
On every hand we see encouragement for
the near future, while Immediately we have
the certain expenditure by the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad Of million or more Of dol
lars in the grand establishment that will be
necessary for their business here. Through
the stone qumrics very large sum of money
will be brought here. We may look for new
enterprises and liberal sales of real estate,
caused by tho prospective business Of the
place.
Upon the plaincst and most practical
grounds we may expect the ensuing year to
be one of the most active and cheerful we
have ever had. 1t may not be very rich in
results, because it will be in part preparatory.
But it will be, nevertheless, a year of i'll
creased activity, growing faith and conf
dcnce, enhancement Of property, and general
satisfaction Of the people. We congratulate
the the people of Richmond upon arriving at this
suspicious period.