The North-Carolina standard., 1845-10-01
RAN. ROAD TO FAYETTEvII,,E.

between Raleigh and Fayetteville In his last
number the Editor has spirited and sensible ar
ticle on this point, which we subjoin.
We differ with the Editor in his calculations as
to the probable cost of the Road. He puts it
down at some three or four hundred thousand dol
lars, counting upon a free right of way and the
running Of the line on ridge from this place to
the Cape Fear Let US not deceive ourselves in
this matter. We all remember what the calcula-
tions were for the CASTOR Road and how, when
the money came to be paid out, it doubled the cal
culations. Let US START if start we SHALL with our
eyes wide open. If we should run out in wes-
terly direction six miles above Raleigh, before
the straight line is struck for Fayetteville, the
length of the Road must be about sixty miles.
We have no idea that it can be built for less than
ten thousand dollars per mile and here would be
at once an expenditure of @6Ooo One hun
dred thousand more might, perhaps, set the cars
in motion. We have heard before of this ridge,
as an admirable location for the Road, and in the
good sense and judgment of the gentleman who
has gone over the proposed route we have entire
confidence; but we think our friend of the Caro-
linan is little to eanguine when he says we shall
have no right of way to buy. But what of that2
What is 100000 to Fayetteville and Raleigh
and the neighboring towns and counties2 There
is capital enough. What then, is wanting but
energy and enterprise?
In our humble opinion what is to be done had
better be done quickly. Have our Fayetteville
friends thought of the Struggle which may arise
between their county and ours for the location of
the Pentcntiary, provided the people sanction that
measure, and of the bitterness of feeling which
such struggle must engender2 Such an event
would be fatal to the proposed Rail Road, or
would at least, perhaps, postpone it for years and
therefore say, what is to be done had better be
done quickly OF course zoe shall take no part in
this or any other struggle between communities
which ought to be united equally by interest and
affection but We cannot fail to sec what sahead,
and should be fithlcss to the the duties of our
post were we not to give timely warning of dan
ger that mag arise. But we are detaining our
readers too long from the Carolinian's article:
That Railroad. Again we say "that rail-
road" What is there to prevent the construction
of railroad from Raleigh to Fayetteyille-from
next important in the State2 There is nothing
wanted but the enterprise and zeal necessary for
all such undertakings determination that it
shall be commenced-progrcss-a be complet-
cd. The means are IN ordinary consideration.
What are few thousand dollars2 But once get
the public mind aroused on the subject-shew the
people the importance the thing, and the neces-
sity doing it. and the means will be found to be
one Of the least difficulties.
As regards tho cost of railroad from Raleigh
here, there are various opinions. We hear it put
down as low as two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars; while some 60 as high as four hundred
thousand. But we will suppose it to cost three
hundred thousand, or thereabouts. That is toll
say, we will suppose there are SO miles of road
10 be built and that it will cost $4,000 or 81 900
for every mile. What triffing sum in compari-
son to the cost of some Roads, There are roads
in the United States that have cost from Is to SO
thousand dollars In England when they build
a railroad, they sometimes have to buy the right
Of way for miles, or perhaps the whole length of
he road, making it cost there from SO to 10000
per mile. There is great railroad fever IN |
England now. and they speak of roads with foun-
1ations of of iron that will need no repairs for a.
ges. Here, we have no right of way to buy, and
we have dead level country for at least half the
distance: part of it already graded, and we are
old that by making an angle out from Raleigh of
lbout milrs, the road can be brought down on q
'idge to Cape Fear, without passing any ravine,
,r cutting through any hill Of importance. Now,
f this be true, what better natural advantages
could be desired2 To undertake to cut railroad
through high hills and carry it over deep ravincs,
Ind rivers, is no easy or cheap undertaking; and
get our northern brethren arc traVersing their
States with railroads under all these difficulties
which present themselves in hilly countries
There are scarcely any towns of importance that
ire not connected by railroads. But here we have
very advantage, and every inducement to con-
truct railroad. Here are two important towns
n North Carolina within SIS miles of each other
y stage road with a perfect level all the way,
nd with but one difficult bridge lover the Cape
Eear) to build, and yet this matter has been neg
ected all this time But we predict it will not
emain so long. The people are becoming alive
0 the importance of this work. The people of
Fayetteville are anxious to do something to revive
we regret TO say) her dropping trade-to replace
Ter old wooden houses with brick ones, and to
envelope her resources for the business of manu-
acfuring, and other branches of business #
The people of Raleigh desire the two places
, be connected by a road that there may be an
asy access to the Capitol, which will increase
he business and importance of the city, and other
important reasons; while the Raleigh and Gas {
on Railroad Company are deeply interested in
citing this connection which will, put another
nix to the chain of road, the completion of which
1ill be the salvation Of theirs Once connect
Ialeigh and Fayetteville by railroad, and two {
1irds of the great body of the travelling public
'ill patronize the route and what else is necessa
v to give new life and vigor to that Company2
Al