Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-02-09

that IL "WOOlQ De DullOlHg OHiues6 Wall
in North Carolina, and virtually sending a
portion Of our State, with her invaluable
products 10 Virginia and South Carolina.
But few short days and that gentleman
comes out as the ADVOCATE for the Danville
scheme; and since too we have passed
the great Central Road by this body. Civ
ing to those Western Counties, the facili-
ties of reaching market within our own
borders, has lie advocated that measure /;
and in reply 10 his former arguments a.
gainst it, said that there is !" enough for
each and enough for all" / shall leave it
with the gentleman to reconcile this incon-
sistency there Mr.. Raynef admitted that
his mind had undergone a change, and he
was free 10 confess that he had given just
cause of complaint.) But sir, the gentle
man had boosted on a former occasion, of
a high chlvalry glorious patriotism ; a
philanthropic spirit, that was no. circum-
scrlbed by the borders of North Carolina
nor limited even by the boundaries of the
United States, but encircled by the Uorld.
He is an Internal Improvement man; wish
es to see North Carolina rise from her le-
thargy adopt system Of improvement
that will elevate her among her sister
states; afford to her citizens the facilities
of a market; great thoroughfare of travel;
a Central Rail Road, that will bring down
into our Eastern marts the annual geologi-
cal and agricultural products of the West.
Sir, l have joined my feeble exertions
with the laudable efforts Of the gentleman
to devise this scheme. whereby our state
will be regenerated, and placed high among
her enterprising sisters. deslle to see
Rail Roads shooting from this capital, as
radiations from the sun penetrating every
section-bringing the remote borders into
close neighborhood ; making the prospects
of each the benefit of the whole, and assln-
Hating us in one common brotherhood of
interest, feeling and pride. Other States
can boast Of their Rail Roads, canals and
turnpikes, while we have been content to
" drag our slow lenth along, and hear the
SCOTS and jeers of our ambitions neigh
bors.' But the day is coming when they
shall witness rival achievements in our
good old state. Sir, we have made no.
BILE beginning; and shall not our portion
of the state, the only portion, hitherto.
which has brought her enterprise and cap
ital to bear upon the development of the
resources of the state. in her endeavors to
build up commercial name, be still found
true to its principles, and devoted to the
interest Of the State.
| am aware that this move will cost US
some unpopularity. hope as North
Carolina Legislators we possess the nerve,
the moral intrepidity, to confront the ex-
element arising from new arrangement
of affairs among our people; for it is vir-
tuous curage that gives the impulse and
comprehensive patriotism that effects the
purpose.
1t should be the high and imperative
duty of the Statesman to seek to direct
public opinion in its proper channel ra-
Their than to follow in its wake or endeavor
to float leisurely along upon the smooth
bosom of its current. Like the sturdy
growth upon the mountain top. though
its branches may bow 10 the fury of the
storm, the trunk remains unscathed and
stands firm as its granite basis.