Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-01-09

tnlS time many OF our most Important WORKS VI
improvement will be finished. The tide OF
through travel will flow along the lines of our
railways. Immigration will be turned to Vir-
ginia our mines will be opened. Our water
power will be utilized. Manufactures will
spring up. Our lands will be sought after, and
by selling portion, We canimake the remainder
worth more than the whole was We can pay
our debts both public and private, and we
must honestly do it before we can re-establish
confidence
Richmond and her Future.
We have been very much gratifed to see
from the Richmond papers, that the city au-
thorities have made satisfactory arrangement
with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, for
the substantial termination of their great work
within her limits.
1t was certainly wise measure on the part
of Richmond to appropriate 100000 towards
the construction Of a double track tunnel I'M
der church hill, SO as to enable the vast frieghts
which will be transported on the road, to meet
the steamers at Rockets The avoidance oft
obstruction, to the nine or ten streets which
would otherwise have been seriously damaged,
would, of itself, have been a sufficient induce
ment to make tie appropriation. But when to
this, is added the security that is given, that
the eastern TERMINUS of this great national work
is to be at Richmond, we are at loss to con-
ceive how sensible men should entertain any
doubt on the subject.
The purchase, by the r. r. Co., of 1000 feet
OF River front, below Rockets, and their engage
ment to build all necessary wharves, ware houses,
&c, to accommodate the trade brought to the
city by the r. r., furnish the most satisfac-
tory and substantial guarantees, that Richmond
cannot, in the future, receive the go-by.
1t rests now with the merchants of Richmond
to decide whether they will secure the vast pro-
fits resulting from the commerce that will be
brought to their doors. On this point we have
little fear. We believe the merchants of Rich
mond have all the industry, energy and sagaci-
the emergency.
Since this contract was closed, we regard the
future prosperity of Richmond as an assured
fact While the matter remained open, we
feared that some penny-wise and pound foolish
policy might mislead the counsels of the city
authorities, and that they might, in an evil
hour, reject the incalculable advantages that
were offered to them. Fortunately wisdom
guided the action of the city authorities, and we
now confidently expect, that our beautiful
metropolis will advance in career of prosperity,
with rapidity that the most sanguine of her
cifi1anq can hardly optioinota
We see no reason why Richmond should not
rival Chicago, in the rapidity of her growth
Who can estimate the volume of trade, in grain,
meats, minerals, and other productions, that
will be poured into her lap, by her various rail-
roads, and more especially by the Chesapeake
and Ohio r. r., which in short time, by its
connections and branches, will reach to the lakes
on the North to the Gulf on the South, and to
Louisville, St. Louis and San Francisco on the
West. The Chesapeake and Ohio road, is des-
tined, at an early day, to be the eastern line
Of the great trans continental road from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. A line extended from
Richmond towards San Francisco, comedies
very nearly with the line of the Chesapeake &
Ohio road and furnishes not only, the nearest
route, but the BEST in regard to grades, curves,
and climate, that has been, or can be, construct
ed. across the continent When the question
was settled, that Richmond was to be the east
ern terminus of this road the question Of her
future growth in wealth and prosperity was
also settled.
We should not be surprised if the population
and taxable values Of Richmond were doubled
within FIVE years from the completion of the
road. God grant it may be SO.
But Richmond is not to be the only beneficiary
Of this great highway. All the towns along the
line (our own among the number) will feel it's
vivifying influence. Towns and villages will
spring up, at every station. All our mines will
be opened up and sources Of wealth, heretofore
undreamed Of, will begin to diffuse their bene-
fcent influences, throughout our common
wealth.
With such a future before us, who will cherish
feelings of dependency? Who will give away
to unmanly fears? Who will tolerate the idea
of repudating the debt incurred in construct
ing improvements which have been the means
of bringing such countless blessings within our
borders?
The YEAR l872.-This year contains fifty
two Sundays. September and December each