The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-12-02
Water and Rail.

The rivers are the tutelar deltles OIL The
land. They dispense their beneiicence with
more than lordly dignity and entire impair
TALLY. In their course they bless many
Countries, and the recipients Of their boun.
ties may behumbered by millions.
Rivers are not bound or creumscribed by
local lines. They wander their own way IRE.
spective Of them; but doing good to all.
Therefore, rivers are citizens Of the world
not the property Of one division of State,
or even of State, but all upon their shores
are sharers in their advantages.
They are, therefore, the subjects of care of
many. In this country, where they wash the
territory of two or more States, they inevi-
tably come under the province of the Central
Government. Two States cannot we'll CO.
operate in work of great cost for several
reasons, and the genius of ous Government
is against combinations Of States; for one
combination might lead to another, disturb
ing to the general relations of the Republic.
The Mississippi, the Ohio, the Missouri.
and Others, therefore, are especially the OBJ
jects of national concern, and their improve
ment must be left to the General Govern
ment. ...- ..
In the matter of the union by the Central
water-line of the waters Of the Mississippi
and the Chesapeake the work assumes such
magnitude OF proportions that it may not
only be considered beyond the power of a
State to accomplish, but of the very highest
degree Of national importance. Virginia at
tempted it in vain, and in spirit OF enlarged
liberalty and patriotism is willing to give
up to the Federal Government the millions
she has expended upon it to have the work
finished.
This great scheme is marked out by the
rivers which belong to mankind and which
must be left to their course. 1t cannot be
argued that their improvement Is work OF
partiality or one that could be left to indi.
viuals. The rights Of the people in the
great water-lines must, if possible, be forever
preserved.
When it comes to building railroads, we
see very different state of things. The
land is already literally supplied with them
and when it is asked that the Government
shall build additional railways we wonder i
the country will agree to permit the Gov
erument to become competitor In that sor
of enterprise. Shall the Government dc
s!roy the property governments have in
duced individuals to build?
Then, Government must select the termin
Of its roads, aud give preference to one com
munity over another. This partiality woul
be harsh, and might be most ipjlrious wit
respect to all the considerations whic
/ should govern the decision.
d Then, again, after the Government build
its railroad 1t would most probably be dread
fully managed, and do injury rather thai
bereft 10 those for whose good it was in
tended.
The idea Is utterly utopian save 10 cas-
like that of Pacific railway, which is (,
work SO much beyond the probable reach O
individual means that its construction by
such means would be doubtful. Again, sucl
road in the sense of public policy the Inn
portance 10 the Union of connecting States
SO far apart as those OF the Atlantic from
those Of the Pacific by the most rapid aod
facilitated known mode of conveyance
would become Of sufficient dignity to Justify
a. least the bestoTal of the liberal help OF
Ire Government upon the enterprise Of