The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-09
FRIDAY. MAY ., 1890.
JAMES RIVER.

That Virginia is richly endowed with nat
ural advantages is acknowledged 10y all
who have the least familiarity with the sub
iect; that these natural advantages have
been utilized only to very small extent a.
yet, is equally well known. Why Is 1t tha'
this State, so infinitely blessed in climate,
soil, diversity Of crops and variety OF min
cral resources, has really only just begun to
make substantial progress on the road Of
material prosperity; Go where we viii,
even now, and we discover on every side
elements Of material greatness that still re-
main unemployed, but which are destined
hereafter to the highest development Of use
fIlncss. There are elements Of this kind at
our very doors. They are in the immediate
vicinity Of Richmond, the wealthicst and
most populous town in the state, and yet
have been turned to little account.
Take James river, for instance. There
are few finer waterways on the Atlantic
coast than this stream in that part Of it,
course which extend, from our whaTes to
the sea. Its whole length within these
limits ought to be whitened by the sails Of
vessels which ply between this port and
ports abroad, or on different parts Of our
coast. Is this the case; On the contrary,
10 the ssoyager down the river, nothing Is
more striking in itself or more suggestive
Of thought. than the comparative loneliness
Of Ia, stream flowing between its walls Of
green forest. Here and there schooncrs are
passed. bu; even these are few and far be
tween. There Is an occasional pleasure
boat, or fisherman's smack, or steamer, but
they are comparatively rare. Wide
stretches Of water expand for miles without
sail in sight, and as unOroken in aspect
rs when the Indian canoes were drawn up
under the shadows Of the willows.
Where can there Doe found a nober stream
than the lower James. a stream that could
accommodate upon It's broad bosom the com
mercial navics Of the world? Tits magnii-
cent highway. which cannot continue indeii-
nitely IN its present condition. The day
must come when its aspect Will have been
changed 10y the magic influence Of the ma
terial development Of Virginia. 1t, destiny
is manifest. When Richmond shall have
grown to be a'ciiy with half million of
inhabitants, 10y which time a chain Of towns
and villages will succeed each other at
short intervals from Warwick Park 10 New
port News. James river will resemble in a
very much modified form. the Thames from
London to the Channel. II Will be- a scene
Of activity and animation, suggestive OF the
highest commercial prosperity.
In the meanwhile, the arrival Of this
eagerly anticipated day will be FASTENED by
strenuous endeayor to utilize the advan-
tages Of such a highway far more than j.
now being done. II is undeniablc that
James River is not turned by Richmond 10
the account il should be. II ought to be the
principal element Of her prosperity. Ii Is
now one OF the most insignificant. This,
however, can not be long the case. The
material spirit Of the aye is ever directing
its attention hither and thither, to discover
all the means that can DE employed to in
crease the impulse that has already been
given to material development. As the
prosperity Of our city expands to metropoli-
tan proportions, the waterway of the James
will be utilized in the manner in which 10
will be most useful 10 this city. 1t Will
not only be n highway to other ports. but il
will also be converted in part TO the uses Of
shipbuildng. James river is well adapted
To become the Clyde Of America and Rich
mond The Glasgow. Are our people equal
70 their destiny in this respect: