The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-24

I,vnchburg and Richmond.

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Iynchburg and Richmond
we had something TO say O few daSa since
about the reciprocal character OF the rela
lions between Lynchburg and Richmond
and In what we had to say we deplofed The
failure long years ago OF the project te
continue the road from Southwest Virgins
to Richmond as unfortunate for Richmond
and, as we believed, Tor Lynchburc, TOO
and worse still for the State; and we mel
dentsI;y said that the result was caused oy
circumstances and influences TO DC regret
ted.
Our contemporary Of the Lynchburs
Virqinian. noticing what we SAID, seemed
to want light on these points. we 10 net
think much good can come Of their discus
sion now. 1t is too late. But we can say
something that may do at least no harm.
We say this: that the direction taken by
the railway from the southwest, SO far
from helping Richmond. did her most
grievous injury and while it is perfectly
idle to discuss it now, we differ alto
ge,hcr with the Vsrginian about the acts
and the dispositions OF the controlling
power OF that line that ended in first pitch
ing the commerce that should have enriched
virginia into the sea, and then pitching the
line itself into bankruptcy. Not content
with impail'ing our intercourse with South
west Virginia: that power, by breaking
with The Express iine, destroyed even the
express trade which we had formerly car
ried oil with our southwestern friends ana
transferred il to Baltimore and New York.
These are facts. We do not mean to dis
cuss them; but respecting as we do our
Viydiasan contemporary we must say that
his plea for the alien combination that has
seriously injured this city is courteous, but
without effect.
We say the diversion OF the artery Of
transportation from Richmond injured both
Richmond and Lynchburg. And so it did.
We say that Richmond is the city OF Fir-
ginia which has established its title to emf
nence, and that the facts OF her r1se prove
that she has the force and consistency to
rise under serious disadvantages and in
spite OF the neglect Of the State and ccDbi-
nations that Were made to subordinate her
to other places. We assert, therefore, that
efforts to build up other places to her pre-
JUDGE have only Injured her to the adVan-
tage OF no other place.
We therefore contend that Richmond is
possessed OF natural advantages which
make her tho real defender OF the CONNER
cial welfare OF Virginia. Her prosperity
will be the sure prosperity OF Virginia, and
her neglect and detriment must be the
neglect and injury of the commercial con-
sequence and thrift Of the Commonwealth.
Furthermore, we are firm in the belief that
her sister cities can best secure their own
advantage and growth by befriending Rich
mond and facilitating those just and sys-
tematic measures which are best calculated
to maintain the commercial strength and
integrity of the State through the advance
ment OF the consequence and wealth OF
Richmond. This is the way, and the only
way, in our opinion, to promote the pros
perity OF all our cities. Towards them all
Richmond entertains the fealty Of friend
ship-friendship that is heightened and in.
tensifed by their community OF interest and
political allegiance. .... ..
We speak no neutrality-suspicious. words
in speaking thus. Wespeak from the deep
est source OF feeling and from the pro-
foundeSt convictions. aa-,t' sf.a.'@
Our friend Of the Tirginian concluded
an article which was partly an effort to
show that Richmond was only partially eX-
cusable for her complaints, and that in the
matter OF cooperation about the PROPOSE
ton for railway along the James-River
valley I'VE quote the words: ~. -,,.r
"Lynchburg must take care OF herself;
and she fully comedies the same right to big
Richmond" ..e.o 49,.
We cannot say that this was calculated to
warm US up on cold day or inspire hope
for a moderation OF the temperature. But,
having the habit Of hoping against hope, we
preferred to look behind the remark and
rely upon the natural, mpathies that ex-
listed and the mutual interests that must
make Lynchburg and Richmond auxiliary
to each other. SO we. baye in the Lynch
burg Virginian Of Friday an article, from
which we make the following extract"
"We would suggest, therefore, il this
alternative only is left, that Richmond, IN
stead OF constituting herself aclose corpo-
ration to undertake and control this Work
in the mode proposed by her Council. IN the
bill offered by Mr.. Todd, confer With: other
parties in interest ana seeiWhat can be done.
I'VE assure our friends at Richmond that
Lynchburg will not consent to. be, q way
station, but in any plan to be agreed upon
must have the advantage winch mel
nearer proximity to the country we
seek to reach, and especially TO- the great
coal.felds OF the Kanawba, should naturally
secure to her. This we want, and nothing
more. Discrimination against Lynchburg
must- therefore, be prevented in the word.
ing OF any charter that may be granted fol
the construction of the proposed railroad
With our interests reasonably and properly
protected we will heartily cooperate with
other localities to secure this much-needeo
and almost indispensable improvement.
What say you, people OF Richmond?"
Exactly! Is there no reason for sympa
thy and reciprocity between these two
cities? All, and let us ask the Varganian
since it breads SO much being a ''way-sta
1on," how does it suppose Richmond
who has suffered that miserable condition
for SO many years, likes it? =;
Well, it seems then to be conceded tina
Richmond may have the opportunity to b.
illiberal, and that the Visginiun has entered
caueat against the improper exercise, o
her power to discriminate against Lynch
burg. The protestation OF our friend is 81