Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-12-04
SonTH CAROLINA.

We have received, and perused the annual
message of Governor Aiken, to the Legislature
of South Carolina 1t is a short, plain, sensi-
bic document, and we think breathes the right
spirit on the questions which it discusses
We have made two extracts from this docu-
ment: the first one on the subject of Rail
Roads, supposing that our people would be
anxious to know what His Excellency might |
say on the question of the Connecting Link"
The other on the subject OF the Mexican war.
We make this latter one for the purpose OF
shelving the people of North Carolina the
manly, patriotic sentiments which the Execu-
tive of our sister State holds on this great ma
tonal question; and also, for the purpose OF
contrasting them with what our own Cover
nor, Graham, says on the same subject we
ask our readers 10 compare the parallel pas
sages in the respective documents, and then
ask themselves if they did not blush for the
old North State. Governor Graham will live
TO rue the day he penned that portion of his
message:
81 would especially recommend to your at |
tention, the enlargement and Improvement OF
the internal communications OF the State, by |
means Of Rail Roads. There is no OBJECT on
which your fostering care can be bestowed, |
t{,at will more amply reward your efforts, Or
the results of which will be more generally
distributed throughout the Stale, Our rivers
important as they are, channels Of com
munication-do not afford the facilities neces-
sary to unfold the mineral and agricultural re-
eources of the interior districts of our own, or
of the adjoining States. To unlock these re-
sources-to awaken the energy and enterprise
of our citizens, and TO secure to them the op-
portunity OF competing with other portions of
our own country, and with foreign nations, it
is necessary that new facilities should be OBJ
tanned. But Rail Roads are not only impor-
tant, as means for conveying the productions
of the State to market; they are to us essen
tal, as the basis OF foreign trade. 1t Is IN
vain that we have access to the ocean-that
we have safe and convenient harbors, and val
liable productions for exportation-our South
ern cities will never enjoy the full benefit of
these advantages, until we improve, increase
and extend the means of communication with
the interior. The State has heretofore eXhib-
tied wise policy in investing the greater part
Of the surplus revenue in the South Carolina
Rail Road So far as the encouragement Of a
valuable enterprise was in view, the object
has been accomplished. The company is now
in active and successful operation, and the
Road promises 10 become a source of wealth
not only to the stockholders, but to the
commercial and agricultural interests of the
State Your patronage is no longer essential
or necessary to its success, and the period has
arrived, when the State may safely separate
itself from the company, by transferring the
funds invested IN it, to the encouragement of
new enterprises of similar character A
road, from Columbia or Aiken, to Greenvilie,
and another, to pass from the South Carolina
Rail Road, through several of the districts east
of the Wateree river, to some part OF the n.
Carolina line, have been suggested, and their
great importance strongly recommend them to
your consideration
1T is deeply to be deplored, that at the We
nv moment when we are thus earneftly cult
waiting and Strengthening the principles of
Peace with all other nations, we are unhappi-
" involved in a war with our nearest neigh
Dor, the sister Republic of Niexico-a war
forced upon US by her utter disregard OF ma
tonal obligations, commenced by herself, most
unnecessarily, and which has, thus far, been
attended with humliatlng reverses to her arms,
accompanied with the loss of extensive States
a and Provinces, while it has been most signal
8 " successful and glorious our part. New
i erthelyss, we cannot but lament the continu-
q ance of a contest which, of necessity, compels
& us to infict the scourge of invasion on our
b enemy, the calamities of which, however
mildly conducted, must always be distressing,
and the very success of which will infuse new
and dangerous tendencies in our people, and,
& perhaps, new and dangerous elements into the
# administration of our Government-leadlng us
into wars and conquests, away from that
peaceful policy by which our Constitution is
10 be preserved, and the permanent prosperity
and greatness of our country most etfectually
secured The efforts made by our Govern
ment to procure peace, by rendering the olive
branch to Mexico, at the very moment when
our armies, flushed with victory and elated
with the most glorious triumphs, were ready
to be precipitated upon her territories, were
wise, we'll timed, and, in all respects, such as
became powerful and magnanimous Nation
The honor of our country demands, since
Mexico has refused to negotiate, that she shall
be made TO feel the full force of our power
and that the war shall be prosecuted with the
utmost vigor. YET cannot but indulge the
hope that she may be awakened TO an early
and Just sense OF her true condition, and thai
this unhappy contest between neighboring
Republics be brought to speedy and honora
bic termination"