The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-24
THE DREAM OF WASHINGTON.

As long ago as 1882, when the Revolutionary
war had Just been brought to a close and its
devastating effect upon the resources OF Viz
ginia was only too palpable at the most
casual glance, General Washington urged
upon the attention of the Virginian people
the importance Of establishing a system OF
internal improvements that would IN the
future afford ample means Of transporting
the products Of the West to ports on the W.
gilman coast. At that time, the settlements
beyond the Ohio were Of comparative insig-
nificance, but his prophetic eye measured the
huge proportions which the development Of
that magnificent region would reach IN the
course of al ordinary life time. He foresaw
more than this, as was shown by his warning
TO the people Of his native State that unless
they took the proper steps to secure the future
trade Of this vast region, it would pass 10 the
Northern States, and being once obtained,
the hold of these States would never after
wards be relaxed.
In 1881, in a debate in the Virginia House Of
Delegates. Mr.. Summers, of Kanawha. one Of
the ablest men of that day in the public life
of the Commonwealth referred TO these ut
terances of Washington. and although nearly
sixty years had elapsed since the latter had
spoken on the subject, declared that it was
not too late for Virginia TO retrieve the ground
which had been lost by It's failure TO heed the
warnings and follow the advice of the father
of his country. Already the prediction Of that
great man was coming true. New York had.
by the construction Of the Erie canal. brought
itself in the closest connection with the West
ern States. Philadelphia was on the point of
building railway to Pittsburg, and Maryland
had granted q charter TO the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad. Here were the three leading
agencies which the North would in future en-
ploy TO divert the trade and products of the
Western States to its own ports, although all
the natural advantages preponderated in ia
vor Of towns on the Virginian coast
Influenced by these facts, the interest Of
the Virginia people became thoroughly
aroused as TO the avisabilty of forming di-
rect connection with the West, but unfortu-
nately the schemes principally agtated with
this view looked only TO the construction of
canals. In 1927 there had been a careful sur
vey for this purpose of the country lying be-
tween the headwaters Of the Roanoke and the
headwaters of the Kanawha, and also of the
country lying between the headwaters OF the
Kanawha and the headwaters of the James.
Nothing. however. ever came of these schemes,
the enormous cost which they would have
entailed. if carried out probably being an
insuperable obstruction. No canal was ever
constructed between the headwaters of the
Kanawha and Roanoke, and the James, River
canal was never extended beyond Buchanan.
II in 1884, when the question Of internal m-
proyements was attracting so much attention
in this State. all the available means of the
Commonwealth had been employed TO build
line of railway to Ohio in imitation Of the
action of Maryland. there would probably have
been no war. and there would stand to-day at
some point on the Virginia coast a city which
would have exceeded all the cities in the
Union, with the exception of New York, in
wealth and population.
Under the new economic conditions which
have arisen in this State since the emancipation
Of the slaves. the dream of Washington and the
hope Of the most far-seeing Of the Virginian
anto-bellum statesmen will yet be realized
Since the close of the war the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad has been extended TO the Ohio
river and beyond. and it will not be long be-
fore there will be a continuous line between
Norfolk and Ironton. o. The day will arrive
when more than two great trunk lines will
pour the wealth Of the Western States into
the lap OF virginian ports.
The great cities on the Northern seaboard
have pushed far ahead OF the cities on the
Southern ssaboard, but all the influences now
in onsration foreshadOw tho growth Of cty