The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-01-15

Dear Dispatch have noticed The alarm
notes that have recently been sounded pv
the Lynchburg. Richmond, and other pa
ners. about the danger Of being passed ny
by The great projects that are suggested
One moment the Shenandoah valley ran.
road il assumed 10 lie under the control OF
I. Gould, who proposes to extend " 10 "a.
len. buy up the Atlantic. Mississippi ana
Ohio. aud carry the trade OF the great var
ley and Of the Southwest TO northern
cities. Again, IL IL said that another
line, diverging at Quaniico, Is 10
cross The James river above Ricnmond'
mixing a new southern line, and there are
coustant rumors about deep-wa'er conncc-
tiobs.r Whatever truth there may be IN
these rumors. the projects viii he neither
advanced nor bindercd bg Ricbmond's IN
fucuce. and il seems TO me that she has no
time TO waste upon them. To retain her
position and secure the advantage that IS
nossiblc. she has sufficient wOik at home.
and she has no time to lose. have here
iofo,c made statement that has been chal-
Ienred, that IL was impossible 10 pass itlcn-
mond by. hut I'm that statement j assumed
that her pcoDe were alert. The vast n1lf-
wilderness, country between here ana ONO
depends more upon The three cities OF RicD'
mond. Lynchburg, and Staunion for lis de-
yelopment than upon all outside cities aud
influence. Lynchburg and StauntOn IN
any event will become great manufacturing
towns, aud Richmond ought TO number
In 1890 100, 900 souls. The most important
work now ~ to bring the sea to her
wharycs. This can be done, and must DC
done. This day Richmond stands not one
hundred miles. but fourteen miles. from
the sea- with river twice a large as the
Cyde, and upon an average nearly twice a,
deep. IL will require three years work
and from one to two millions dollars TO cut
off The bends, confne The current, and
bring twenty-five feet Of water at full tide
10 this city. That work should be done,
and that money should be secured. no.
tice the Government engineers have Just
recommended over 100000 for break
waters, lighthouses. &c., this year on TIE
Delaware-a river vastly inferior TO the
Jamp.--and from Baltimore 10 Portland
the amount that has been annually spent
upon northern tributaries Is enormous. The
work Of Interesting Congress should NOT DC
Ieft 10 spasm0dic and individual acton, Dut
this community should enter upon con
certch, intelligent, and determined WORK.
The facts are with us. the argument - Win
lis. and the United States Government i ho'
unwilling TO listen. The importance OF Rich'
mond to this State cannot be overestlmated'
Il is a city built on granite, WIN large
wealth, with people Of great intelligence
and yigor, and with every requisite for
health, aud eyery condition for work. IL
has taken century 10 plant this town oil
! = 900 people II Will take hve centuries 10
build one like it ne irer the sea. Such WORKS
rs the old Dominion. the Tredegar, ana
Galego Mills can never be planted there.
\ state never becImc great without some
commercial and manufacturing centre; aud
if VIC hope ever 10 develop tue mines 81 ouI
mountains we must bring the sea TO Ricn'
mond and make her great developing
agent that the world cannot - pass BY
II. {. PARSONS.