The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-21
Rlrl,uolld llspatrh,
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 81, 1877.


Railroads have become the controlling
modes OF travel and transportation in the
land. A State without them, II we may do
such violence to facts rs even to imagine
such thing, would. drop out as 1t were.
from social and political recognition ana
consequence. It would be In a civiiizeo
sense an unknown and uninhabited islana'
It would be avoided as the valley OF the
Shadow OF Death
70 vo mav sav this OF land without
railroads, what shall we say OF one whose
system IS but partial and Incompetence
that kent it's best citizens in discounted
.n6 disabled state by leaving them with
ont the railroad facilities that are now be-
rond. ones.ion essential for the maintenance
~ the most active and flourishing condition!
WHY, it might be said that the State acqui-
csced in imposing upon her citizens so con-
ditioned very great wrong, and at the same
time voluntarily deprived herself OF the IN
creased revenues that would enure to her by
melting out Justice to her neglected people.
Virginia, owing to most unfortunate
combination OF circumstances, has placed
incubation in her richest lands in this posi-
fion, and has deprived herself Of the IN
flowing revenues that would come from ac-
cordinc to them that equality which is due
to every section.
This lamentable condition is due to IA
tai omission in the anatomy OF the railroad
system OF the State. 1t is the omission OF a
railway on the line OF the main artery OF
the State: the James-River valley. This
is the proper line Of the backbone OF the
system OF railways. For the want OF this
Virginia has no backbone in her internal
Improvement. She cannot get herself in
an erect position; she cannot guide her own
movements. Prone and helpless, she is the
victim OF every device alien to her inter-
ests, and progresses SO very slowly that the
James-Riyer canal is tit type OF the man
nsr in which she has dragged along her
slow length! ,..,..........
Owing to this cause, and the crippled
condition that has come from 1t, Richmond,
poor city, has, like fat worm laid in
ditch, been unable to get out Of it. In this
situation she has been tweaked and annoy
ed by every little red ant that came along,
and has been able to defend herself no far
Their than to wriggle spasmodically and
briefly, first one end and then the other, as
she felt the sharp twingc Of the mandibles
of that enemy, who seems to be created to
annoy. but to be Of no advantage to himself
or any other creature.
Without railway along James riverVir-
ginia is crawler, and never can be any
thing else. Her Improvement system is
like the play OF Hamlet with Hamlet, the
principal character, lett out. The perform
ance OF the play can afford neither pleasure
nor profit to anybody. II this condition
were irrcmediable, and the people knew it,
the State would soon be almost depopu-
lated Certainly all activity and enterprise
would soon depart to other and more thrifty
ndflourishins lands.
But, thank God, it is remediable. A short
time may.give the venerable State this YER
tebral column essential to her anatomy, and
indispensable to her power OF seli-protection
and to her intelligent and successful adj
- .-. -.