The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-07
aieblnond nlspatrl'hl|l..
ps1nAY . DECEMBER . 1871
THE James River.

rt,tnrest now centres In the James
River valley. II the people OF Richmond
shall be fully alive to their welfare, and In
measures with regard TO that tcening ane
lovely valley shall be wise and sustained os
proper energy, s.ae five years snai. pas
that important section OF Virginia VIII "
attracting capital aud energy, ana ~ M. .'s
course Of rapid Improvement and acca'nu'
lation OF both wealth and poPu'Ns,on.
The important matter OF immeo'a'c con,
sideration is the condition OF the canal anu
whether. Its restoration to naviSation Is
nr,c,;.ab,e with reference to its cost ana us
r.,ra whom restored. Decided in Whatever
way that may be, we assume that 1t Is mat
tor NOW bcvnd doubt that a railroad VIII DC
in a few years running along the James
River valley from Richmond to Chiffon
Forge. The canal, il restored, Will De re
stored only to answer the present necessi-
ties OF the commerce OF Richmond ana OF
the inhabitants of the Valley and, further
more. to transport the material Tor the rail-
road. Certainly, for these purposes the ca
nal would be greatly valuable.
We feel that all doubt is removed, and do
not suppose that there can be any consldera-
BILE number Of persons who would contend
that we must still rely upon the canal. The
people are unanimous that the canal has
failed 70 do not only what was promised
for il. but that 1t has lost for US the valua-
be trade of the southwest. which had done
so much to give Richmond what OF pros
perity it bad; therefore the canal must
be given up so far rs it has been in times
pas, considered as tue great artery for the
commerce Of Richmond.
In saying this OF the canal in reference 10
its default As Richmond artery we must
consider it as also fully as much in default
as Virginia highway OF commerce. It's
recovery from its forfeited position is hope
less. Its continuation and usefulness can
be assured only on the condition that the
faulty location OF the water-line, by which
long stretches Of it are flooded and washed
by moderate treshcs> Of the river, would
nave to be improved by lifting the line
above the reach OF floods. And the whole
line would have to be deepened and widened
and made suitable for the use Of steam-tow
barges. Without this alteration and en-
larce,nent it is not possible that it shall be
durable and useful, and that it can compete
with railroads as a means Of transportation.
To this point the deliberation upon the
subject is clearly brought. Now, can the
money be had for this herculcan work?
Can it be had in view OF the fact that the
question between canal and railway Is nearly
balanced, with the weight inclined TO rail-
road: Certainly not. We do not believe
anybody will dispute this assertion. So we
have come down to the next question.
which is: Shall the James, Rluer GALLEY be
giuen up and abandoned as a route for any
hiqher order of transportation than thcrirer
buttcaur which were employed by our fore
fathers? ...
This is the question, and how will it be
answered With firm and vocuerous mega |
tive. Abandon that grand valley? Never
1t must have its highway; and beyond all
question that highway must be railroad.
To this conclusion we think the commu- |
nifty have. already come, and with entire
unarimity. The valley is one OF the rich
est and noblest. Beautiful for its graceful
heights and its fair fields, and, above all.
for the lovely river that flows through it, 1t
cannot be surrendered. 1t would be the
most eligible line of travel in the land.
For its rich productions it is the finest
section for tiIlage, and with a railroad
along its route the material for man
uiaeturing would be rapidly accumu-
lated. and little villages OF manufacturing
people would mark the route like mile
stones, while the hills would be adorned by
TIE fine homes of the people Of means. The
Valley alone would feed Richmond with
support that would of itself make great
city, while the transporting artery that
flowed along it would draw to it AN amount
of through transportation that would swell
etrade of this city in manner eXcelllng
the most sanguine hopes Of her people. 4
railroad along that line could protect itself
and exert = controlling influence, whereas
the canal has proved to be helpless and de-
fence!ess. b, r so I.
We have no earthly doubt that railroad
along the James-River valley would be the
protector Of Richmond-the vindicator OF
her rights. And being the great promoter
OF the prosperity Of the capital, would thus
enrich the State itself and make her SO In :
dependent that never more would the voice
of the adiuster be heard in the land.