Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-03-28


like in this particular any other line in the
State, YOU will find in the acts for their in
corporation forecast that does credit tc
the patriotism and to the wisdom of the
hour in which they were conceived; you
will find that the gauge is required to be
uniform, that intercommunication as be-
tween the several parts of this system was
to be unrestricted and untrammeled to the
end, that the great producing regions Of the
West-those fields from which the cities on
the Atlantic have gathered their great
ness-should find through Virginia and
upon her coast an outlet to the ocean.
And even more: such are the specifications
of those charters, that to all our Virginia
cities has been secured uninterrupted COM
municatien over this line to the West. 1t
is true that it may be said, that SO far we
have realized but a small share of that fruit
which it was anticipated this policy would
bear but when we remcmber that in the
very onward stride in that pursuit Virginia
and the South were overtaken by the con-
WILSON'S of civil war and the destruction
of our means and the consequent depres-
sion of every interest which followed the
loss of our great cause, the failure to attain
larger results cannot be justly ascribed to
any defect in the system, whose prosecu-
ton in Virginia since that period and else
where, as in the cases to which l have adj
verified, have procured such increasing
benefits as should enlarge our faith, in and
determine our adhesion the more earnestly
and rigidly, to its pursuit.
The one policy builds up our own cities
the other destroys them. .....
In the application of this policy there is
just reason to anticipate the growth and
prosperity of large cities and commercial
marts in our own State. The examples
afforded by other States in this regard de-
moastrate the incalcu]able benefits which
such cities confer. Their expansion, in
crease of population and of values will re-
dect and react upon the entire State; the
introduction of capital and the aggregation
Of wealth will enable them not only to bear
d larger share in the burden Of taxation but
afford to every interest and every class en-
Iarged facilities in the pursuit of every
avocation. Through them alone can we
hope to secure direct trade, the inestimable
boon for which Virginia has been longing
for many years, and IN which is to be found
The only means of commercial indepen-
dence and freedom from the vassa-
lage to which the South has been sub
jected from the beginning almost Of the
present century.
Such was the policy which marked the
legislation of that day-a policy contrasts
tinct from that of North and South lines,
this latter-day theory-the conception of a
reasonable conspiracy against tine fortunes,
the dignity and the Independence Of the
Commonwealth, born of our enemies and
nurtured in her very bosom by unworthy
sons of noble State--for depriving South
ern cities OF their Legitimate business, that it
may be drawn to and, swallowed up in the
commercial m8lstrom of Philadelphia.
Through lines originating and terminating at
points beyond the limits of the State are but
bridges, mere eonduits for travel and traffic.
and are to be considered as contra-siistinct
and at variance with such through lines a.
come from beyond the State and debouche
upon our own cities. to whose material Ell
largement these latter of consequence coll
tribute. iQI ni.. r.
In the charters of lines running North and
South you will find an inhibition rs to gauge
Virginia in this restriction asserting her right
to direct the commerce which lay at her com
mand. The elongation of North and South
lines, by consolidation or otherwise, was moi
the policy of Virginia in the olden times. in
the day III which her system OF puDnc Work.
was projected, because it was then wisely
conceived that such q policy was not consis
tent with her interests; not In eping witt
the example of other States, where the re
suits to which she aspired had been attainee
in the pursuit of the opposite policy.
would respectfully ask where will yo, fine
in those States, lying north Of us, an exam
pie of North and South consolidation? Dt
you find a consolidated line Of railway from
Baltimore to New York? Is it not true thai
you find separate and distinct corporations
ruling as between these cities on the Atlantic
coast? The reason is manifest why this
should be the case. 1t does not enure to the
interests of these cities so to link their lines
and destinies; it is because trade gravitatet
towards the ocean and is supposed to have
found it's ultimate depots for distribution
when it reaches deep water. u J lp.
We have been told in the discussion upon
this subject that we should have North ano
South lines continuous in authorty! Ano
for what purpose are they asked? Simply
that the trade of the Carolilas and OF Other
South and Southwestern States may be al
1orded expeditions and attractive facilities
for transit across our territory to markets ant
outlets other than our own. | submit, OF Wha1
interest is it to the people Of Virginia thai
wa should furnish to other States highway
for the concentration of trade upon cities
,.,,,+e;ilo of har limits and to the exclusion o