Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-08-28
To the Editor of the Journal:

such part in public affairs generally, as
think every good citizen should take, but de-
voted my special attention 10 the subject OF
internal Improvements. | am now, and have
been, for more than nine years, citizen OF
New Orleans, yet never have l forgotten, or
can forget, the State of North Carolina, being
always ready to rejoice with her sons in the
day of prosperity, and to mourn with them In
the hour of adversely.
For some years before removed from the
State with my family, it was common re-
mark of those citizens who cherished some
feeling Of State pride, that North Carolina
was behind the age, and instead Of sharing in
the prosperity which rewarded the efforts OF
the citizens of other States, her prospects
were becoming annually more gloomy and
more Giscouraging.
In consequence of her unfortunate geogra-
phcal position, being tributary to South Car
olina on the Southwest, TO Virginia on the
East, and to Tennessee beyond the mountains;
and her most valuable resources being undevel-
oped and unavailing from the want of chan.
mel of communication with the sea board, her
most intelligent, active and wealthy sons
were daily swelling the stream of emigration
which flowed steadily from the State into those
adjoining. adding to their prosperity, increasing
their wealth, and elevafing their character
There must be feeling of deep regret min.
gled, however. with some pride when we re.
flee: how many of her eminent soma have filled
with honor the Gubernatorial Chair of other
States, or distinguished themselves as their
representatives in the Senate chamber, and in
the popular branch Of Congress, or as MEM
bers of the Judiciary, or as consuIs and am
bassadors in foreign countries.
10 remedy this TuInous state OF affairs, a
few citizens Of this town, in 1881, determin-
ed to make vigorous and persevering effort
TO redeem the character of the State, and to
place her on a level with her more prosperous
nelghbors. 1t was soon decided that the rail-
road system was the only one which was at
the same time available, expedient. and efficient
to accomplish that purpose. The first line
that was projected, and shall ever believe
that it was the most important, was designed
to connect the town of Lincolnton, in Lincoln
county, with some sea port on the At
lantic coast, either Wilmington or Beaufort,
where the depth of water was sufficient to adj
NIT vessels of tonnage suitable to the COM
merce which such road would necessarily
have produced. A charter to accomplish this
object was obtained from the Legislature, but
the project failed from causes to which 1t is
not now necessary to advert. Another line
was then projected to run from the town OF
Wilmington to the Western part of the State,
through the counties bordering on South Car
olina. crossing the Yadkn and Catamba rlv-
ers, and thereby stopping the draining Of her
resources in that part Of the State. But this
measure shared the same fate as the former,
not even a charter having been obtained for it.
Finally, in 1884, public opinion seemed to be
united on the line to Weldon, and a vigorous
effort, after few years. carried that line into
successful operation. And indeed it was high
time to do something to avert the impending
ruin. In this town commerce was langulsh-
ing and annually decreasing; real estate had
reached the lowest point of depression, and
had scarcely nominal value. The most in
dustrlous citizens were either removing, or
debating 10 what part Of the Union they
should remove to better their declining for
tunes, and TO be able to support and educate
their children; gloom and dependency per-
vaded the whole community. Without some
thing to produce change, Wilmington would
probably, in few years, have become what
Brunswick has long been-a deserted site,
and an abandoned ruin.
But what a change has been brought about
in the course of not quite twelve years. In
ted at from two thousand five hundred to three
thousand persons. Now it varies, in the opin-
ion of different persons, from seven to nine
Thousand. The number of houses has been
doubled the grading of the streets has pro-
duced a complete change in the appearance of
the town; the newly erected buildings exhibit
great improvement the commerce has great
y increased several new steam-Mills have
been erected; and fourteen new Turpentine
Dlstlllerles have been set in operation. Re-
al estate, | have been informed, has advanced
200 per cent, or more and this have no rea-
son to doubt, as house and lot which
purchased in 1888 for 5000, after underg Ding
repairs and great Improvements, which en-
HANGED the value to at least $500, l was
compelled to sacrifice, in 1885, after making
every effort to do better, for 500. That pro-
perty is now estimated to be worth from SO
to $4,000; and the latter price should at this
time be unwilling to take for it. Many other
cases of the same kind have been pointed out
TO me in different parts of the town. In short,
instead of gloom and dependency, hope seems
to inspire every body. energy is renewed, and
noble determination exists not to remain
satisfied with what has already been done,
but to push on wherever fortune reasonably
invites effort. To what cause. then, is this
great and happy change of circumstances to
be assigned can conceive of none, except
1t be what is called the Wilmington e. Raleigh
Rail Road, which runs through the poorest &
least productive part of the State, depending
altogether for its support on what is paid for
the carriage of the mails, and on the amour,
of travel. But, to understand this matter
clearly, it will be necessary to turn our atten.
ton to the statistics of that road, first as tc
the cost of the road, &c, and the annual dis.
bursements; and secondly, the receipts from
all sources:
]. Cost IF 1919 miles Of Raihray to Weldon.
Engines, coaches, cars, shops
and depots, $l,72l ,626 SO
Cost of five Steamhoats inclu.