The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-12-22
Meeting in Mcdowell.

In accordance with the views oil the
Hon. James Graham, IN a number of the
Republican Of the s,h ult., the citizens Of
Mcdowell county held meeting, at which,
upon motion Of X. 7. Willis, Esq, WIN.
y. Rust, Esq, was appointed President,
and 4. Conley Secretary.
The meeting was addressed BY Mr. VIII
lis, explanatory Of the object, shelving the
importance Of some organized plan, how.
ever small in iis inception, TO arouse the
citizen OF the State to deyelape her nine
raj resources, various and incNhaustlbc 10
their nuturc.
He also though, the plan proposed by
Mr.. Graham, would I've The best 10 excite
the citizens Of each county TO have a re-
posi,oly at the county site, with keeper
to arrange aud classify the mineral and
fossil specimens, with such other curioslties
as the citizens may present, 10 add to the
beauty aud interest of such a cabne, /;
which would be the means Of placing sam
pies from the hand of each citizen where
thoy could be examined BY the more learn.
"a aud experienced in such matters, and
uucoycr 10 the owner, or the State, much
q the hidden treasure that is now buried
III The bowels oi the earth. IS further
object, IN aiding The State TO make a SINH.
lar arrangement "a the Capitol, or Uniyer.
sify, Should she ever be so fortunate as 10
have a LEGISLATURE sufficiently enlightened
IN the principles Of Mineralosy or Chem,s.
try, rs 10 know the inscpsra5!e connection
of such resources, with the prosperity and
Durability of their Government. But the
politicians Of the prcsen, day. IN their par
Is strife fer political honors, prefer to en-
courage ,hc bgauch Of MINING that drives
tunnels. aud snks shafts which lead 20 the
pockets Of the people, instead Ut their moth.
cr carth--ihc original source Of all wealth
knowledge, aud happiness.
Ii England has clothed herself with tht
majesty Of power, and welded the terrific
wand Of her greatness over the surface OF
the whole globe by making such knowlcdg,
the hanianld to hcr manufacturing arts nnc
her agriculture. Why should North Caro-
Ina, IN the infancy Of her mines, with the
accumulated wisdom Of ages, fear 10 foster
b, legislation, a system through which, II
few veurs, her general intelligence woulC
be greatly increased aud at lie same time
have public channel by which such lntor
nation should reach her citizens, and they
IN turn, " enabled TO inform the world o
her mineral wealth
It's true, the history Of gold mining I
untayofablc IN the eyes Of many, as re
CARDS profits Admit, therefore, that w
should have bit few permanent, gold min
ers, it seems from the beauty, purity, o
incorruptibIe quality Of gold, tha, the De
ny designed it, as The Purcs, metal on IN
surface OF The earth, TO introduce and schoo
man, TO search for other minerals of les
precious character, but more abundant Il
their character.
After the remarks OF Mr.. Willis, it wa
proposed that DR., Graham should be III
keeper Of the cabinet Of specimens at Ma
rion, tho county site of Mcdowell, who
was unanimously approved.
IL was further moved by Col. Thoma
J, Forney, that tho proceedings OF thu
meeting be published in the Rutheriord,o
Republicans, Charlotte aud Raleigh paper!
and the Highland Messenger.
WIN. b. RUST, Prest.
Albert CoNLEy, Sec'y.