The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-02-28
TIA E~nans;ou of Richmond.

The Expansion OF fsIS4A'.A
r,be c;tv Council Of Richmond dtd a, Jusl
.,,,a ;,;so act on Monday night in reconsider
;no Tho has;v action OF their preceding meet.
inc bv which they uncefemoniously rejected
the proposition for the annexation OF Man
chester to Richmond without considering It's
terms. The reconsideration was unanimous
and therefore very graceful.
The act which Immediately followed the
reconsideration, as our readers KNOW Was
tho pressn,ation on behalf of the tres'
toes and people of Manchester OF PROPOSE
ton for the annexation of their town 70 w.
city Of Richmond without any other cono'-
ton than that Richmond should take AZ 'ue
property, and all the obligations Oh H. 'iio W
->or,t,on rs 4 matter Of course rms pro
->osit;on was. in a spirit of fairness on poth
s,dcs deferred 10 the next meeting OF 'he
Council x.,.,,,
The nronosition has thus assumed a high!
,n,orest;nc phase. The manner in Which the
Cnuncil of Richmond flouted the proposition
Of annexation at former meeting was wen
calculated to excite the resentment OF the peo-
nile Of Manchester; but to their very great
credit they did not allow themselves 10 De-
come excited by it. They understood Inc
circumstances too well to infer that the Coun-
II, reflected the true sentiments of Richmond
he their act. Eight members were absent,
and among them Mr.. WTsNE, who thorough
IL appreciates the importance of the great
measure of annexation, and is completely In
formed upon its merits. They furthermore
Justly inferred that intelligent members Oh
the Council were carried along in hurried
current of the action without proper renee
ZION who will most assurodly change their
votes upon better understanding OF the sub
ject. ,o..o- IA
Therefore, the people of Manchester did
not become indignant, and in passion aban-
don a measure fraught with the greatest
blessings for the populations on both sides OF
the river. And like generous, sincere, ana
wise people, they return and present lhe
measure of annexation in a form whlch
should disarm opposition with all Intelligent
and unprecedented persons.
Ths proposition thus takes the form OF the
highest interest. 1t appeals not only 10 QUIZ
Judgment and our practical views OF greal
public advantage, but to our gcntler soca!
feelings and sensibilities, and should inspire
Ms with the earnest desire to hasten an event
initiated in such a generous spirit.
The reasons why Richmond should want
Manchester arc overwhelming and unanswer-
able. On the other hand, Manchester would
derive from the union the greatest bcncnts'
By the concentration of the clements OF
power of the locality on both sides the river
things may be accomplished for the general
good which will never be achieved while the
two communities are separated. Manchester
is indispensable 10 the ,cants and asses OF me
commerce and MANUFACTURES Of Richmond.
We say this with full appreciation of the
subject, and we desire to impress It upon our
people with all possible emphasis. If Man.
chester is not now acquired it will be ac-
quired ut some future day, after long and
an exciting struggle. 1t must be acquired.
because it is indispensable to Richmond.
The annexation of Manchester is not only
a measure of great public utility, but ii
runs in the line Of enterprise, youthtul
hope, and generosity. 1t is aproposed union
with our own people--hone of our bone, and
flesh of our flesll-and who shall prevent it?
We seek for increased population by Inml-
grafton. We study how we are to bring in
the stranger and make him our neighbor;
and here we have the chance to add to Rich
mond, say 5000 people, with all their wealth,
their energies, enterprises, and hopes and
prospccts-andt these people our own kith and
kin-and shall we reject the opportunity f;
Had Manchester been on the north side OF
the city when we extended our boundaries
recently would we have refused to take her
in? Certainly not. Is there any reason to
refuse to annex her because she is on the
south side9 Assuredly not; but, con the
contrary, quite the reverse" for had Man
chester been on the north side of Richmond
she would have been worth no more than
Shutdown or Darbytown, and such like; but
being on the south side, she is near the centre
of tho business and wealth Of Richmond
and is endowed with water-power and facil
ties and comforts for commerce and manu-
featuring that make her indispensable te
Richmond. Therefore it is that to acquire
Manchester would be the most benefcent
public measure ever adopted by Richmond
----------