The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-05-05
The Middle Line.

Inc MlQQle LllSs
We think there is very good reason TO DC
!ieye that the people along the middle hpe
from the mouth of the Ohio ria the h",a'
yha and James rivers 10 the Cocs'pe""e
bay are more aroused to the Importance VI
making that line one OF the greatest OF h$'
tioual highways than at any 'orh'e' uu'.'
The no;ni n, and near The mouth oil the ONO
river. including 81. Louis, is the focal point
of the current OF western TRACE. 'as'
amount there sweeps down 10 the Gun
h,, there is a constant tendency towards the
,,c-ca.c of the volume that flows east
ward to the Atlantic cities. AS ways
and facilities for this eastward cur
rent are increased it rapidly swells in vol
,,me. II Is found that the latitudnous cur.
rem, Of commerce is in the line to the most
advantageous points for distribution. The
flow of commerce towards the Gulf swings
i, Tar from the points where there may be
distribution from common point WITH
greatest ease TO the sources OF demand. 1t
has been found that it is great injury TO
the produce needed for the distributing
points on the middle line 10 carry it
far South before putting 1t on
new departure; and it is found that
commerce is the more active and vigorous IN
proportion as it is carried on under the IN
fuences of proper temperatures and taVora-
bic physical conditions. All that Is wanted
20 prove these truths is to give the proper Ia
cilities to the "just middle line" for CONNER
ci1l traffic from East to West, in which lie
the grand points of distribution to all dlrec'
tions. On that line the stores for the Woriu
are preserved with best success, and from II
they are distributed with greatest advantage.
Not only do the people of the West begin
20 see that their interest lies Chiefly IN de-
y,loping the latitudinal line of the middle
temperate zone, but the western river cllies
begin TO see that it is only by the develop
ment Of that line that they can hold to lis
centre the commerce which for the want OF
j. has unstcadily wavered between higher
line on one hand and lower one on the
other. Speaking especially OF the ono
River valley, its commerce has been tending
towards the lakes in manner detrimental to
the cities along the Ohio. Nothing can put
a check upon that tendency but the COM
plc,ng the connectio uia the kanaTha
and James River valleys.
These views are growing popular, and we
feel grat:tied at the fact. We feel nov that
the people of the Middle West will soon be
Induced TO com tinc for their good in pow
errul effort to put through this line, and to
give il all the efficiency and activity that is
possible. We look forward TO untold pros
pcri,y from such an effort rs this.
Whcr. the West learns from experience how
much benefit will flow to it through
q complete thoroughfare for them to the
Virginia tde.waler and thence TO the
Chesapeake they will wonder how long they
pclmitted themselves to be deprived of so
great blessing. In short, on this middle
line will be concentrated all the physical er
ergies and active >ympathies which will lead
10 the most magnificent displays of enter
prise and success in commerce. 1t will show
TO the world land Of power and abundance
in both mineral and agricultural wealth that
Will hardly have an equal on the earth.