The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-03

Richmond and Her Future.

| We have been very much gTatiiied to see
from the Richmond papers that the city a,l-
! thortics have nRdca satisfactory arrangement
with the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad for
tho substantial termination of their great
work within her limits.
It WAS certainly a U'se measure on the
part Of Richmond to appropriate $500, 900
towards the construction Of double track
tunnel under Church Hill, SO rs to enable the
vast trcighte which will be transported on
The road 10 meet the steamers at Rockets.
| The avoidance Of the obstruction to the nine
or ten streets which would otherwise have
been seriously damaged, would, of itself,
have been a sufficient induccmcnt to make
Inc appropriation. But when to this is added
tho security that is given that the eastern
terminus Of this great national work is to be
al Richmond, we arc ut loss to conceive
how sensible men should entertain any doubt
on The subject.
The purchase by the Railroad Company
Of 1000 feet of river front below Rockets.
and their engagement to build all necessary
wharyrS. warehouses. &c, 10 accommodate
the trade brought to the city by the railroad,
furnish the most satisfactory and substantial
guarantees that Richmond cannot. in the flu
:Wc, receive the go-ly.
II rests now with the merchants Of Rich
lnond to decide whether they will secure the
vast profits resulting from the commerce that
will be brought 10 their doors. On this point
we have little fear. We believe the mer-
chants of Richmond have all the industry,
energy. and Sacacity, that are necessary to
enable them to meet the emergency.
Since this contract was closed we regard
the future prosperity Of Richmond us an as
Surcd fact. While the matter remained open
We feared that some pcnny-wisc and pound
foolish policy might miSlead the counSclS Of
the city authorities, and that they might, in
IN evil hour, reject the incalculablc advan-
tagcs that we're offered to them. Fortunately,
wisdom GU. led the action of the city authori-
ties. and w now confidently expect that our
|rca,ritul II. trOpols will advance in 2 career
ct prosperity with rapiditv that the most
>an"uiuc q her citizens can hardly antici-
pate.
We see - reason why Richmond should
not rival Chicago in the rapidity of her
.ruwth Who can estimate the volume of
trade in gain, meats, minerals, and other
productions, that will lie poured into her
lap hy hsr ,arious railroads, and more espe-
lrrially b. he Chesapeake and Ohio railroad,
which in hort time, by its connections and
| branches. VIII reach TO the lakes on the north,
to the Gulf on the south, and to Louisville,
It. Louis, nd San Francisco. on the west?
! The Chr>:ly cake and Ohio road is destined at
an early dav II be the eastern line of the great
,l-.nS-c0ntin. road from the Atlantic to
| the Pacific. \ lne extended from Richmond
! towards SAT- Francisco comedies very nearly
with the lire of the Chesapeake and Ohio
road. and furnishes not only the nearest
! route but the best in regard to grades, curves,
! and climate, that has been or can he COLI
! s,ructeu across the continent. When the
question was settled that Richmond was to
! he the eastern terminus of this road the qlles-
! ton of her future growth i'll wealth and
prosperity was also settled.
| We should not he surprised if the popula-
| lion and taxable values of Richmond were
! doubled within five years from TIE compile
ton Of the road. God grant it may be so.
But Richmond is not 10 be the only benefi-
ciary Of this great highway. All the towns
! along the line Iour own among the numhar)
viii feel its viSN-ing influence. Towns and
villages will spring up at every station. All
ol!r mines will be opened mp, and sources Of
wealth heretofore lindreamcd of will begin
! 10 Gi!lllsc their Eencficcnt influences through
| out Our Commonwealth.
With such future before liz who will
| cherish feelings Of dependency: Who will
/ rive away TO unniany fears! Who Will tolc-
rate the idea Of rcpudiating the debt incurred
! in constructing improvements which have
! been tie means Ct bringing such countless
| blessings within our borders ?-!Stdunton
/ Spectator.