The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-31
MONDAY EvEN'G, MARCH 81, 1873.
virginia and Her Relations with the
country southwest of the Rocky
Mountains, and the linda and China

Trade. E
The attention of the public mind is
rapidly being directed TO the Importance OF
our western trade by way of the contem-
plated southern route to the Pacific ocean,
which is destined soon to cross the conti-
nent; whilst the advocates of the Central
and Northern lines are making every effort
to control and gain the benefits OF more
intimate commercial connection with the
old world. The people who should exert
themselves on our route to aid IN the adj
vancement of this necessary and national
enterprise manifest much less interest in the
movement now in progress than the South
demands. 1t is not our purpose to depre-
cate either of the competing lines Fastening
to completion. The energy and resolution
shown by those who have finished the
Central line is commendable, whilst the |
distance, altitude and climate of that far.
Their north are advantages whichevery Ame'
rican of enlarged conceptions OF his coun-
try's destiny should be glad to know. Let
usasl1 what are the comparative advantages
of the Southern route over all others. Both
of these must be affected by SHOWS in win
ter, causing delay and expenses not appli-
cable to ours. Admitting, Tor the argument,
that the miles of expensive snow-sheds on
the Central road will prevent the accurnu-
: lation of the snow, the difficulty in this
respect is not obviated, as there Is not
season but trains are blocked up by
snow in Wyoming, Nebraska, iowa and
Illinois. For hundreds. of miles wood
aud water are SO scarce that it is neces-
sary to carry them for steam purposes.
We can state, without danger OF success
ftll contradiction, if that road was not
now constructed no engineer would haz-
ard his reputation in giving his appfoba-
tionito this line. 1t may seem paradoxi-
cal, but it is nevertheless true, that there
81 are fewer distractions to be met with
from snow on the Northern route than
this, occasoned by the difference of alti-
tutle and the mild winds which sweep
across from the Pacific ocean. Stock are
driven north and south of Salt Lake to
winter, the valleys extending APO miles to
the head Of steam navigation of the
great Colorado river of the. west being
well adapted for that purpose. The rail-
road now being constructed through the
forty-two Southern cities and towns mus
aid much in developing the fabulous ant
inexhaustible mines of gold, silver
copper and lead, and in giving al
impetus to the early completion of tn
Southern line, which cannot be affected
by rivers in summer or SHOWS Il
winter. The great advantages of this rout
are not confined to distance, altitude
water, climate, and timber but at eacl
end Of the route nature has given the deep
est and. most commodious harbors for al
commercial purposes. Ships coming iror
China are frequently driven south to Sa
Diego, and are compelled for weeks
beat up against the winds to reac
their destination at San Fran
cisco. The mineral and agricultural wealt
of tile immense southwestern porto
Of our country drained by the Colorad
river is destined to pay tribute to tn
: Southern Pacific railroad thirteen hundre
miles in length. The extent and richness
the mines of precious metals through tn
mineral and agricultural section is, perhap
greater than in all other portions of IL
Union. Those which have been worked Il
centuries since, and that are now ever,
where being developed, are of that ma
nitude as scarcely to be believed. The ruin
oil cities, miles in extent, fertilization
canals, missions, &c., attest stronger tha
language the resources of this territor,
and the great benefit by us to
derived from connection with tn
remarkably interesting but comparative
unknown portion of our neglected publ
dSnan.