The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-02-19
COLUMBIA. s: G.
Wednesday, Morning February 10, 1873
Fror, Chicago 10 tho Sea. i.

to embrace lines of travel ard traffic
East, West and South, draws from them
abundant resources to make her the un-
rivaled queen of the lakes. She is now
looking for near and profitable limo to
Southern Atlantic ports. A convention
has just been held ut Indianapolis to
consider the means of constructing
railroad from Chicago. ola Lexington,
Kentucky. direct to some Southern
point the most advantageous TO Chioago.
At this convention preliminary survey
wss ordered, and will enon be made,
with the view OF settling the question of
route. Lexington, Kentucky, has alreudy
been determined upon rs point in the
3ine.
A railroad connection with the North
west has been moro than dream; it has
been the desire and purpose of our peo-
pie since the day Of Gov. r. Y. Hayne,
and the great Cincinnati Railroad Con-
Eention. which inaugurated the moye-
ment. That was the object Of the Blue
Ridge Road. At Knoxville it was to
meet other lines leading to Louisville.
Cincinnati and further on. We had
some magnificent visions in those days.
And though 30 little has been done to
realize them, it is our hope that they
will yet come to pass.
The main question will be as 10 tho
m6st desirable port or ports. The Rich
mond Dispatch expresses the opinion
that the Northwestern cities will fnd
by practical experience that it is not
their policy, in seeking outlets to the
Atlantic, to go below the Virginia South
>ern boundary line. IT they aim at points
South of that line, they will be forced to
go to South Carolina. They will find, it
says. the port of Charleston insufficient
lin depth and breadth of water. It con-
cedes that Beaufort is unobjectionable
in these respects, but it finds that the
disadvantages and disoomforts prevail
ing there have prevented its growth. It
ia not town where business can be con-
Quoted with any facility, 80 it sagely
concludes that any point below the Vir-
ginia line, OF import and export, for the
cities of the North vest and West, would
be disadvantageous to the trade and
health of those employed in transporsa-
ton, by reason of temperature and th o
increased dangers to perishable articles,
and those affected by temperature, The
Virginia tide-water ports, it says, occupy
the medium line between obstructive
frosts and oppressive heats, and one
which exactly meets the wants Of the
Ohio and Mississippi cities.
This reads plansibly enough. It is
the best statement that eau be made on
the side which it advocates. But it is
not fair towards the more Southerly
ports. First. the distance from Licking.
ton, Ky, by Knoxville, Anderson, Co.
lumbia and Augusta, or by Knoxville,
Asheyille. Spartanburg and Columbia, to
Wilmington, Charleston, Port Royal and
Savannah, is not greater than to Norfolk,
Va, by the Chesapeake and Ohio Road.
The difference of distance either way is
not material. Secondly, these ports are
as healthy as Norfolk. and Port Royal o
delightful place, so far rs situation and
climate are concerned. oil the year round.
) The harbors aro oil abundantly deep and
safe. or can, without much expense. be
made so, for the discharge of the busi-
ness in question. Port Royal has long
ago been demonstrated to be ono of the
noblest ports on the Atlantic. It is a
fallacy to say that men may not work
safely and agreeably at these points in
any season of the year, or that goods ole
in any wise subject to injury from damp
atmosphere. The visits of yellow fever
DO not amount TO muoh, and afe some-
times made to Norfolk, as we'll as to
Charleston and Savannah.
The North western cities and States,
and Kentucky and Tennessee, through
which the road will run, have corn,
grain, hay, flour. bacon, agricultural
implements, horses and mules to dispose
of, The DispafcL will hardly sav Virpi