The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-04
The Future Of Richmond.

The Future of Richmond.
The extension OF the Chesapeake ana
oh,o railroad to Newport News and the
through connection Of the Danyihe ra'i'
road "a York river have been regarded as
,n,pr,ons 10 Richmond by some OF our citi-
Gems Rut how can this be sor The pro
0ress Of a great city is not made to depend
,,ror few hacks with their drivers 10 be-
siege is railroad depots, or $ score OF
sreight-wagons TO iostle the produce
through its streets from one Transporting
line 10 another, and yet there are those
who watch with great concern the interests
OF these hacks and wagons, added 10 ho'ei
charges, as the main source OF the cl'y'
prosperity. as derived from transpora-
ton lines that bring people ana producu
IN the city. How narrow this conception.
The growth and prosperity OF a cil! oe-
pend on its natural advantages, aided ny
1.-The industry, frugalily, and morality OF us
neoplc. These latter qualities, in high
degree Of development sometimes Duilu
mn CITY that has suffered from considera-
bic natural disadvantages. But where
natural advantages crown the happy traits
OF character and industry to which we
have referred, nothing can stand in the
WAY Of the rapid progress and opulence OF
3 city.
Richmond certainly has natural resources
scarcely inferior to those Of any city in e1-
istencc. and IL we are not to have industry,
frugality, and morality comparable with
snv other. it will all be our own fault, and
we need not be whining about the railroads
taking their freights, the produce OF the
country, past our doors without dropping
us a qualter-dolar tribute on each package.
There is always some unavoidable waste
attending the transportation OF produce,
hut the shippers and owners are properly
watchfu in casting up the results, and that
line which wastes most, or which occasions
greatest leakage, is quietly Stunned after
wards. so, also, II the taxes and charges
or frelghts are disproportionately high on
one line the public will seek more congo
NAL lines. SO that the incidental advan-
tages OF railroads to a city are brought
about by the general savings they
secure TO the whole people Of the state,
which savings are distributable, and reach
us 10 the extent Of our services in trade
and commerce with the whole public. The
direct advantages to rs Of railroads are Sc
cured TO Us in the cheaper facilities OF ira
vel they afford us, as well a. the lessened
rates Of freight on articles brought to us
for our consumption. 1t would be a sad
process Of reasoning for Ils to say that we
may in some way lessen the chances OF
prosperity OF others that we might pick up
what they are made to lose by our scheming
and crafty manGuyTing. Such calculations
are little better than gambling, and what
ever may be the temporary gains Of such
policy the reaction will be fatal to the
growth and true greatness OF city. We
need not stop to calculate, nor stOop TO
question, the great principle OF moral Jus
tice, that all are entitled TO the fullest Sd-
vantage OF the general rewards Of indus
try, and All pursuits which are q needless
tax on the products Of industry Of others
have an injurious tendency, and those who
follow them would best apply their efforts
at other work. The plans of Providence
contemplate, or we may say prOpitiate, no
schemes OF men that levy tribute on their
fellOw-creatures' laboTS. We can grow
great without these resorts for gain; and
as to Richmond, the boom OF her prosperity
hrfp n 81
light upon benighted world. We have a
majestic river at our feet, springing from
mountain cliffs, rolling over beds Of I'M
perishable granite, and here blending its
limpid waters amid the surging waves Of
tidal ocean. We have a surrounding coun-
try famed for health and Of delightful eli
mate, and renowned for the intelligence Of
its people and variety Of its productions
We have water-pOwer for manufacturing
enterprises the value OF which is almost
incalcuabc. We have a city far advanced
in all that constitutes q happy home for
man. Every reasonable sense Of enjoyment
may here be gratilied and every mental
and moral quality be more and more ele-
waited; and here the highest industry and
integrity meet merited rewards. The
scholar, statesman, iurist, clergyman, arti-
san, mechanic, laborer, and merchant CON-
mune together and tremendously pursue
their own happiness. What more can we
ask of kind Proyidenceg
If we but do our duty all vii be well
without coyeting the greatness G.. other
cities or people. Our beautiful city will
find admirers from every cline. II Rich
mond fail Of rapid growth and greatness,
then this country has reached its zenith.
With six great railroads entering and de-
parting from its borders; with a noble
river supplying deepwater navigation to
the oceans OF the world with coal-mines
at our doors; with twO-thousand-ton
steamships and sail-yessels loading and I'M
loading at our wharves; with a hundred
and fifty factories, iron-wOrks, and ma
chine-shOps reverberating with the hum of
industry within our hearing; with health
and population emulous OF the admira-
tion OF mankind, and the iayors Of bcneh-
cent God, what more can we ask? 80
Kentucky and Virginia. Yorktown.
There VIII be no visitors ut the York