Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-02-09
WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
Friday. February Q, Is49.
THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT CUES.
TON.

whole press OF NORM CaT0llna. with uneXam-
pied unaninNy. ale applauding the course of
he majority in the recent Legislature. upon
he question of Internal Improvement. that
sne of The journals of our own party does not
seem quite so well disposed TO join in the uni
versal sentiment of apWoval.
The Fayetteville Carolinian, of the Sd inst.
does. indeed, it seems, anticipate that the pas
sage of the bill TO construct Rail Road from
Goldsbcra' To Charlotte "a Plank Road from
Fayetteville to Salisbury-and containing APP
of money for the Tar and Neuse
Rivers; involving, as it necessarily does, an
increase of the present revenue of the State,
will meet with much favor, and, at the same
time, "disapproval among the people," and
that its passage may enter into the politics of
the State; but we do not understand the Editor
OF that paper 10 assert that there are any per-
sons in Cumberland who are insensible TO the
benefits proposed by that measure, or already
prepared to denounce and prescribe those who
were more particularly prominent as its advo-
would, indeed, come with bad grace from a
county whose distinguished Commoner, (Mr.
Dobbin,) representing as he was supposed 10
do, the views and wishes of a majority of her
citizens, pleaded for the passage OF the bill
with so much eloquence and success. We
hope that the Ca.olinian is misinformed, and
that an attempt so absurd as 10 identify the
great Internal Improvement measures of the
last session with this or with that party, will
not be made. There is no fact more notori-
GUS, than that their success is attributable to
neither one OF them. but is the joint result and
production of the labors of both We canno:
anticipate the legerdemair by which such an
attempt will be supported.
The leading men in both the Wing and the
Democratic ranks-Ashe and Woodfn in the
Senate; Dobbn and Stanly in the House,
share equally the honors a-d the responsible
ty of its adoption. Party distinctions seemed,
for the time, to have been forgotten. The
voice OF the people was heard, and for once it
was truly represented and faithfully obeye1.
Wings and Democrats in the Legislature emu
lated each other in glorious effort for the re-
dempton of the State from the thraldom of n-
doIence, supineness, and inactivity, and the
development of her rich resources of mineral
and agricultural wealth Mere party political
trammels had little to do with it. We are not
surprised that the Carolinan should think
there are some among the people who will dis
approve of it. There are some persons who
would disapprove of any law, no matter how
wise or beneficial. 1t is neither practicable
nor desirable that there should be perfect una
nimity. William Cobbett once said that DIFF
ference of opinion was necessary to liberty
and independence, and the opponents of these
measures are welcome 10 their freedom and in
dependence, but we will be glad to hear that
it is to such only that the Carolinan has re-
ference.
With regard, however, to the remarks in the
Tarboro' Press, of the same date, in this con-
nection-although from the course which the
views of the Edgecombe delegation prompted
them to adopt, in relation TO this bill, we did
not anticipate much favor for the system OF
Internal Improvement therein proposed, nor
in fact do we believe that any proposition for
Internal Improvement would have been more
successful-we hope to be permitted 10 FAY.
that we cannot comprehend in what manner a
opinion, or regard for the usual accuracy OF
the statements of that highly respectable jour
nal, can justify the charge that these measures
were GO hastily, inconsiderately, and impru-
IDENTIFY adopted )" nor are we at all prepared
in view of the whole history of the measure,
TO admit that &c no opportunity has been pre-
sented to the people of expressing their assent
or dissent" thereto Such construction oil
the conduct of the last Legislature would be
doing great injustice TO some of the wisest
men, not only of our party, but in the State
The truth is, that for many years painful
sense Of the inconvenience and danger 10
which we were exposed, from the want OF the
facilities, now for the first time recommended
had impressed the minds of both parties with
the necessity of adopting some method of pre-
caution and relief. The subject is no new
one. We were daily Witnessing the emigra
ton of our citizens and the REORGANIZATION o.
the State. In these days of progress, wher
to stand still in the race of improvement is tc
lose ground, and finally, to be submerged o.
shipwrecked, North Carolina had the NORTH
cation to feel that while other States were
rapidly advancing in all the elements of pub
lie wealth, responsibility, and prosperity, sht
alone was idle and Indifferent Her citizen!
abroad were ashamed of the place of the
birth--her name became by-word ofreproach
and her vast agricultural and mineral resour
ces, unrestraned and uncultivated by iudicou
legislation, went to swell the revenue and in
crease the importance of the neighborint
States. 1t was under these circumstances tina
the spirit of Internal Improvement took rise
Conventions were held al various points o
the State, in which the different sections an,
parties were fully represented, and they al
Joined in recommending TO the Legislature th
adoption of some General System.
But if the people were thus fully apprize
of the movement, and their assent may fairl,
be presumed, from the cordialty and prompt