Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-11-29
ALEXANDRIA,. VA.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1872.

TIE c. & Q. X. r. AND ALEXANDRIA, &c.
The Stanton Virginlan in an able article on
the future of Virginia. especially in connection
with the completion to the Ohio, of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad. and the building OF
the proposed branch TO this city, says:
when we consider that deep water can only
! i,e reached 81 miles below Richmond, which
would make it lt5 miles from Staunton, and
that it can be reached at Alexandria Is miles
from this point, the logic OF trade compels u
10 arrive at the conclusion, that what Is now
termed the branch road to Alexandria, will in
fact be the main channel Of communication not
only for trade, but passengers, between the
western country drained by this great llnc and
the east. Assuming that 500, 600 tons OF coal
will be transported annually from the coal fields
Of Virginia and West Virginia to seek market
east 1T u cost OF one cent per mile per ton,
and that by taking the Strai ght chute from
S:aunton TO Alexandra, saving IN distance
To the cities OF consumption would be made OF
about 30 NILES an irresistible and controlling
argument is at once furnished why Richmond
viii only be the cutrepot for as much Of this
traffic as her own demands will require. y
clear saving of quarter million OF dollars 4
var 10 consumers ot coal will give direction to
the channel OF lis transit. And this tact. Will
Of Itself TO say nothing of the almost fabulous
mineral wealth that would DC developed
through the country this short !luc would ira
verse, determine the necessity Of an Immediate
construction Of the road from Stanton to
Alexandria AMI Washington.
There are four points in Virginia which
must become manufacturing cities, If the State
!, TO be benefited by the completion Of the
Chcsap1ake and Ohio Road, 10 the eXtcut
that is anticipated. The mere transit of the
trade through the State will add comparative
" little to her prosperity and wealth, unless
our people avail themselves Of the advantages
it will present Those points are Covlngton,
Staunton, Richmond aud Alexandria. The
first place is uere village as yet, but teh
years time will find it proud of 4 population OF
probably five thousand people. Staunton now
is rapidly growing She will have the advant.
age OF the railroad workshops, the energy,
capital aud business experience, OF the Invest
Population Of any inland town in the South,
and with the facilities she will possess OF reach
ing al sections of the country. on the compile
ton Of the various railroad enterprises 10 process
ct construction and contemplated, her future
is in her own hands. Richmond and Aexan-
d7ia alike must be the architects of their own
fortunes. The means will be at their COM
mand, aud it is for the people OF those cities &c
seize them with firm and bold hands, if they
would keep pace with the material progress
which the next decade is to unfold. They
would be worse than sluggards, it, with the
diversified commerce Of u contlDent pouring
into them they did not rise with the great
events and the spirit. which the age vouchsates.
and push forward 10 the march OF material I'M
n1rtaDcc.