The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-05-13
Alchmond Dlspatrlt.
The Ohio and the Lakes.

Since the struggle between the Ohio River
cities and those Of the lakes began II has sur
rriseI practical people elsewhere that the
former remained comparatively passive while
their trade was being rapidly drawn off to.
wards the lakes. The Ohio latitude vas the
one best calculated for efficient commerce;
I'M: in the favorable season the water COM
n,uuicatioa bv the lakes gave the lake CON-
mcyce vast advantage. Any practical man !
must see that were the ways of the two la.i-
tudcs eastward equal the Ohio line would |
hare the control. aud the higher latitude |
along the lakes could not have obtained an
advantage. AS it is, the advantage it has Is
limited 10 little more than half the year.
II the Ohio River cities had employed the
time properly while tue lake cities were
stealing away their commerce they might
have avoided their present condition, and
themselves enjoyed all the grand results
which have been transferred TO the lakes.
II Cincinnati and Louisville, and St.Louis
had completed railway connection with the
Underwater Of Virginia they would be equal
nay, would have the adeantage-in compcti.
ton with the lake cities during the long pc
Rod of the embargo laid by frost upon com
mercc and had the Ohio valley the outlet of
water communication with the Chcsa-
peake ciQ the kanawha and James they
would control the trade all the year.
The want Of railroad connection uld
this road disables them during the
ice-blockade from making their fine geo.
graphical position available. The lakes ur-
nishiug the chief outlet OF the West, produce
is crowded in the lake cities, and the close OF
navigation fluids the srauarcs there blocked
up with trade enough to maintana flourish
ing business upon a lower line OF latitude, il
such one had noT the facilities OF Trans
portation which the rich inha1itants'of The
Ohio valey should have secured for them
selves long ago. Instead Of which they have
been looking on with folded arms until
more cnterprising people have well nigh
neutfaIiZcd the wonderful and magnificent
fayors which nature has conferred upon
their.
These views are una Sailablc. The OHIO
ard Middle Virginia are right in tie line OF
most favorable geographical and climatic
conditions for energetic and successful COM
merce the year round. Those residing on
this lice fail to perform their duty TO them
selves and are signa!ly delinquent in per-
forum, their duty 10 society by not using
the advantages a! their command. The whole
nation is interested in making those condl
tioDs available in the highest degree for the
national good. Thus the resources OF the
Urion may be made in the best EIaDncr avail
able. Thus the supplies Of society may be
best Distributed, and thus the means OF COM
paclirg the interests of The nation will be
STRENGTHENED, promoting harmony and con-
teuincnt at home, while the nation will be
better fortified for resisting hostllitics from
abroad.
We repeat that it is astonishing that the
great population Of the Ohio valley and The
Upper MISSISSIPPI has remained so apa-
thctc while the more northern line Of com.
mercc has received such an impetus. 1t is
SURPRISING that facts so self-eyident as these
we state should have been so little regarded
there. Had they been properly considered,
and had they led to exertions proportionate
to their proper influences, very different
state OF things would exist now. The heart
Of the Union would now derive the greatest
advantages from the improvements made in
the channels Of transportation that would |
have been opened. The Union would be
more harmonious. It's resources would be |
more rapidly developed, and there would be |
q strength IN The Union growing out Of dcyo-
tion inspired by solid blessings enjoyed by the |
people that would be more powerful and |
enduring than all the cNpedients Of law
makers and military strategists for COMPEL |
Ing submission.
Virginia has from the earliest period |
when she was able to look about for the eX.
tension of her commerce to the interior
constantly looked to the West by this line.
She has given millions to il; but her fellow
citizens OF the West have not coUperated
with her. They seemed to be content 10 let
all trade flow down the Mississippi; but they
now lind that it is not according TO the laws
of commerce that it should be so directed;
and the lakes have opened higher line,
and trade has been crowded upon it because
the West would not help Virginia to open
the middle line.
Late though it be, il the people of the
Ohio valley now enter heartily and practi-
cslly into the work of making a grand thor
ouehfare through Virginia the results will
prove our anticipations to have been but
moderate and poor in comparison. We be-
Iieye that an amount Of benefit and national
good will ensue that will greatly exceed all
calculations.