The North-Carolina standard., 1849-11-21
remarks of J. M. Lokeioy, Esq.

Remarks of J. M. LoTejoy, ESQ.
n,Epred before lhs Rake Couats Internal Improve
msn association, and hshe3 the request Of The
ASOcatiOn. r. ......~ -.
tnOw but little with respect to the subject, upon
i wbieh have been requested to speak. I have not
sad much about it, have generally attended your
meetings.. / know nothing of facts in regard to rail
rads. l only know, that rail roads and steam have
crat power build up, and great power to destroy
Estate. And l know that you have glorious terri
vr the inheritance of your forefathers, which is to
/ be ruined or improved by this power. Look at this
fntory North, South, Eastand West. In the East,
there is the finest land in the world, ntersected by
vgable rivers. There rich mines in other parts.
Look at this territory in the West. Nature has de-
MED it only one advantage, communication by water
With the marts of commerce; while in all other
spects, the evidence of geography, land water, fire
and frost declare it be unrvaed the face of the
globe for the habitation of man. Its latitude is be-
tween thrtyfour and thirtyseven, which is the best
for health, sufficiently removed from the raging dis
ses of the torrd zone, and the terrific consumption
Of the North The same latitude west of North Car
ina brings you the unhealthy valley of the Ten
uesSee and Cumberland rivers next the unhealthy
Taley of the Arkansas, which reaches to the sandy
plains of Mexico; then the Pacific Ocean; next the
Desert of Cobb in Asia, extending to the barren
fountains in Turkey; then the Mediterranean Sea,
ne desert countries in the North of Africa and the
Atlantic Ocean, then the Eastern part of North Car
dina, which is also unhealthy, and lastly to the
and ridge upon which is situated the city of Raleigh.
thus do see that land, seas, oceans, mountains
ygamps and deserts show, that Western North Car
diLa is the only great country in the latitude
which can be safely inhabited if health is considered
idany advantage. And yet all observation and ex-
verence all writer's the subject, affirm that the
lbe of land between thirtyfour and thirty is
the heahest section of the earh unless local causes
! Of an unhealthy nature intervene. If you 60 South
! d his YOU have too much heat; if you go North,
YOU have too much frost. Consequently, the testi
nOny of frost and fire also prove not only that the
temperature of that country is the most agreeable in
the world but that cold and heat happily pro-
prtioned as to produce all the grains, fruits and
ypggables, of more Northern and Southern climes.
Wheat rve oats, barley buckwheat and all the veg
tables of the North there. Rice, cotton, tobacco,
indian corn, the sweet potatOe peculiar TO the South,
land all its delicious fruits, are. there. 1t abounds In
line pastures meadows, hills and mountains for graz
NO. There YOU can produce the fine merino wool of
San the rich sleek cattle of New England and the
middle States and all kinds of stock, in the greatest
hundance and greatest perfection. There is every
hing to please the ear and the eye. Brooks rivers,
sweet sounding streams, valleys, hills, mountains,
Pleasant landscapes and fowery fields are there. God
las made it the garden, the Eden of the world, and
will you not enjoy 1t!
Will you, will you not, construct rail road to
This remarkable territory, is the question now sub
United to your consideration! question vast in its
unseauences not only to you, but also to your pos
tiy. you decide against this road, your decision
must be fnal-6nal for one hundred years-forever.
Your most able men believe that you never can build
ibis road if the present attempt is failure. For
should the State continue her proposition, poverty
will forbid all action hereafter in regard to the subject
North Carolina is not growing rich, but is every day
lgowing poorer. No one will say that capital is
lowing into this State, while every one knows it IS
apidy going out-that the decrease of her capital
ia Texas.
Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and all the South
western States, swarm with enterprising men, and
abound in riches which have gone from North Caro-
Ina. Then, why should you put off this business,
and reject the proposition which has been offered by
The State! Do you think you have not the means
fyou not able now to build this road when will
!m bel Will it be five or ten years hence-will 1t
be when other States shall have drained you of your
Wealth. and swept all enterprise and intelligence from
your borders! Will procrastnation brighten the
Mture or add new energy to your hands ? The fu-
Ne holds out no hopes, inducements, no expec-
aaOns All is dark and gloomy, and growing darker.
Nothing speaks for delay, but every thing for swift
decisive measures. The State is rapidly diminishing
wealth and power; no man can deny it, all things
anrm r-your waste lands, which stretch far and
Vide, once bright with life and cultivation, now bar
zen and desolate assert it true. The hills and val
eys brooks and rivers, the very trees and stones,
could they speak, would cry out and swear it true.
Then, why delay this subject! Should you see
nan bleeding to death, would you look on, until his
Ute 11e ebbed out, before you bound up the wound
would you sit down contented, and think him grow
ing stronger, until his eyes dim, his lips pale,
Snui ne staggered and sunk down at your feet, and
nen n sanch the blood Your great men say, North
odfolIna is in this condition. Her resources are
sdsHng away, she is growing weaker, is bleeding
we constant emigration which has been going on for
we last fifteen years, has opened the sluices to her
S'dH These flood gates are gaping wider and wi
vel Men have learned that labor is three times more
Onble in the South w estern States than tits upon
Js barren sand ridges, that run through the middle
North Carolina. So strongly have they been i'm
EesSed with this idea, that many have sold their
arms, and gone South, although the Raleigh and
uStCn road passed their very doors. Now, the fail
SiI M |" this road will increase emigration hundred
"G' TOR fail it must, we told, unless the central
da is built. But how will this event increase en-
sduon! answer, the CASTOR road has taught men,
O nave enjoyed its advantages, the vast difference
tween the carrying of produceby fire, and the car
lug 1t by horses. Fire charges them one-ninth of
sf crop, to carry it the distance of two hundred
res; horses charge them one-third. Now if men
ave sold their land, and left the State, who were
~eHlng the benefits of this road, what will that
S4e class of men do when this road goes down
ae event will come upon them ikea storm it will
ppie them they cannot move. They must COM
NJ ee buying horses and wagons, for what-to trans
s a their produce Petersburg?H No, to carry their
rdhts nhts and families to the South West. % s1' 90
ms will take place all along the CASTOR road and
~ ughout this country N man knows the sweet
niue %e bitter of thing, until he has tasted it,. De-
sa man of this road, who has enjoyed its adYan-
I've dc