The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-12-28
Richmond's Isolation,

,l9meS river. MI uODte stiSaih, VSsSa w
cannot too highly esteem, and for which
Baltimore would to-day give millions ii II
could purchase it, is all ours.
Richmond.is pretermitted with respect to
railroads. The State OF Virgins herself
began the work OF passing by her chief city
the main source of her revenue as we'll as
her general prosperity--by building and con-
solidatipg lines which ran from her western
border to the sea. Events wrought by cor
poiate strategy have at the same time thrown
the. chief trade and travel from north 10
south, and rice versa, to the right and the
ie!, Of her.
The las, measure that was needed to COM
p!ete this conspiracy of moremements against
her has just been consummated. The fast
mail and two mails day have been thrown
upon the Piedmont line from Alexandria U,d
Charlottesville and Lyrchbu;g. TIE Dan
vile road has cut off one passenger train
Per day, and now runs but one daily through
train, With This diversion on the west side,
sGded TO tina. which was long sgo consum-
mated on the eastern side, and which is dali
Il growing 10 rigor and wealth, Richmond
stands like a hill with the freighted waters
moving rapidly by to deposit their riches on
other lands.
When We look at the natural advantages
OF this city we are amazed to see how STRAIT
egies through corporate power have so sue
oeeded in completely isoIating her. Prac'
tioaly, under every fair view Of commercial
Tendencies. Richmond should be Chief
pcjnt in the course of travel between the
Gull States and the North. 1t is important
to her, and i, should be both agreeable ana
desirable 10 the great travelling public to
pass through Richmond. Ii is important to
her as means of keeping up The kno"leose
OF her position and her natural beauty, 4
well as mainang her reputation as place
OF coaRmefce and manufactures, that she
should be CONT in This great travel. But
i, has been thrown to the right and the lett
OF her. Thus she has been made sufferer,
and Virginia has been greatly wroGged.
We are not amongs, despondent persons.
We have 100 much faith in naturc-ln geo.
graphical il fluences--to believe that Rich'
Eond is 10 be permanently presermltteo.
Influences stronger than man can exert Will
in time viudicate Virginia and her promising
ci,r, MAY ne not say also the South! Is
there 10 be no great city between the Cult
aid Baltimore? Cast your eye along the
Atlantic States from the Gulf TO the
Monumental city, and where do you
see a town so admirably endowed
with ali that is necessary to dense
AID Furnishing community as Richmond:
Should rot such place 80 prominent in the
Scuth-the chief city Of the most famous
Of the old thirteen States-be !ostered and
cherished: Should it not be regarded a
work of pleasure and pride as well as mat
Ter of policy to diffuse more equally the
wealth and political power of the Union:
Do we not now begin to see what great
cities do for States? Richmond pays a
deilar Tor every eight that all the people OF
the State-iphabitants Of cities as well
81 counties--pay into the Treasury; and are
the people Of The counties satisfied to see
ci,y which is so large contributor TO the
lesouIces of the State neglected and $50.
lated and changed into au INSTRUCTED and
lingering town-a blight upon energy and
an jmpenetrable cloud over hope:
Ry confederation Of circumstances the
lCrlheln and southern line which passes
through her has been ever laboring under
distractions. The great southern mails and
travel have been thrown upon the Piedmont
route. The consolidated line from BrIsto!
to Norfolk vas intended originally to be
hostile 10 Richmond, and stimulated by
ideas utterly visionary. not one OF which has
been OF will ever be realized, 1t vas made
10 pass BIZ Richmond and terminate not at
hu, in the sea. Thus in the battle Of commerce,
Which Virginia entered the field to fight, her
main force Rrchmond-a force more than
equal toall toe towns Of pasSabic note in the
Statc-has been left SO far from the base line
as 10 be altogether unavailable. Did ever
another Commonwealth commit so great
follyt
We have not doubt that if the Virginia
and Tennessee railroad had been continued
from Lynchturg to Richmond, and with
proper connections in this city, Richmond
would now have q population Of at least
hundred and fifty thousand.
If We could know that her loss had been the
gain of some other Virginia city we should
feel some sort of consolation. But has ii
been so? Will any true Virginia gen.
tleman, who loves his State, say SO: He
cannot.
Now, this is rather disagreeable situa-
ton for the Richmond citizen to contemplate
so near the beginning Of new year. But 1t
is nevertheless timely period for him to loos
that situation in'the face, and to inquire Of
himself what is to be done about it. There
is great deal to be done about ii; and if our
citizens were as Jealous to enter into grand
struggle to save their commerce, TO extend
tteir manufactures, TO increase their popula.
tion and their wealth, as they are to enter a
party war-aye, even that lowest Of wars, a
mere personal copflct-We should see them
a !! deeply alive to the matters we refer TO In
this article, and no single citizen would
feel himself acquitted of his duty TO bis
State and his city until he had done some
thing to right the grieyous wrongs from
which ne all, whether dwelling in this city
or in the counties Of the State, now suffer-
Ipp fESTp w Il Senator