Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-07-17
For tho Journal

no.. T..

J ihr. Editor The attention of our whole com.
munity has been recently awakened in a remarka-
! bic degree to the importance of Railroad con.
nection with the South. It has been subject of
modification TO US, and surprise to the Union.
that, at the centre of the great iron band
which unites the Atlantic States with those bor.
derng on the Mississippi. and in the Immediate
track of the Southern traveller, Railroad
has not long since been erected for the purpose Of
obviating the dangers and Inconvenience of a sea
voyage. It is fact we'll known 70 those whose
attention has been drawn 10 the subject. that MANY
persons bound for New Orleans prefer taking the
long and tedious route across the mountains Of
Virginia down the Ohio and Mississippi. TO
one nights passage OH board the steamers from
this place to Charleston. But it is not improba.
bic that this singular hiatus would still remain un-
supplied. if we did not now perceive that the best
interests of this section of country and the con,in
ance of its progress and prosperity are deeply and
vita ly concerned in our prompt and vigorous action.
Already the people of Raleigh and Fayetteville,
encouraged by our inactivity taking measures
to supply the public wants. Meetings are being
called-subscriptio lists are opened-the spirit Of
the people has been reused, and it requires no ex-
traordnarv foresight to perceive, that if Whining
ton does not get the start" not only wilt her
growth be retarded, but the constant stream of ira
vel, which, since the opening of the Weldon Road,
has nourished her prosperity, being drawn off in
another direction. its usual channel will be left
melancholy monument of wasted wealth and gol-
den opportunities fatally neglected. hope il will
not be considered rash to venture the opinion,
that if the Road now proposed do not succeed, the
entire disuse of the Weldon Road, as means of
transporting passengers and the mails must be the
inevitable consequence. Viewed in this light, tho
proposed measure addresses itself most strongly 10
the attention of all stockholders, and, indeed Of
every member of this community for, whether We
have shares or not, our interests in its continu-
ance are equally incaculable. I should be sorry
to regard it in, any way a party question. 1t
has no immediate bearing ut,on any of the points
of difference that separate the country. Purey
local in its whole operation, it might seem almost
to be confined in interest to the persons whose
property and homes lie most adjacent to its
But while the remarks which might be suggested
by the opposition Of few gent emen on political
grounds thus for the present reserved, it cam
not but furnish matter of regret, that the danger
of being torestaIed by the superior energy of the
citizens of Raleigh and Fayettevi lie, If not the
cause, enters prominently a. least, into the
sion Of our present activity. / have remafk-
ed that the people OF Wilmington would seem to
be the persons mos! interested III the success Of
this measure but a little attention to the subject
will it is hoped. be sufficient to establish the pre-
POSITION that its influence would not he confined
to this particular section of country, hut that like
stone thrown into the bosom of some tranquil
lake, such Road will crcato circle Of benefit,
still expanding in sphere, until at lengsh the re-
hottest boundary of the State shall witness its
wholesome and sal,itary influence.
The physical peculiarities of our State have
contributed in small degree to the perpetuation
of feeling of jealousy between its different pats
and the creation Of three separate Interests, wholly
distinct in character and even efficient in that
hesive feeling of pride which usually unites the
different sections of the same State. 1t has been
remarked by gentleman whose opinion on every
subject is entitled to great weight that observation
had taught him to believe tina, the upper or Moan
tain districts of North Carolina had most unac-
countable leaning to Virginia, the lower south
ern districts similar dependence on South Caro-
lima, and that it was the Cape Fear interest alone
which contributed to the wealth and gave birth to
the commercial importance of the port of Will
mington.
1t will be unnecessary to enlarge upon those
high motives of State pride which should induce
US, at small sacrifice, to prefer the advance
ment of Wilmington, to that of either Richmond
or Charleston. Experience teaches that men
more likely to be moved by their interests than
their patriotism that the pocket aerve is a more
powerful agent of persuasion than the best feelings
l shall therefore content myself with the honest
endeavor to shew that it is not much the duty
as the interest of the people of the State to- lay
side their ancient prejudices, and aid US in the
construction of-this Road.
1t will be observed, upon rapid glance at the
map of North Carolina, that belt of sand, SEEM
ingv intended by nature, for the purpose of lock.
} ing up our commerce and resources extends the
+ whole length of the coast from Cape Henry to
> the Cape Fear. Although behind this singular
embankment or breastwork, there are numerous
large and commodious bays, there is not along its
whole stretch, single inlet of sufficient depth
to admit vessels of 'arge draught, and until you
reach~Cape Fear, scarcely a break in that long
, and forbidding wall. At this point noble riv-