Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-06-28

Democratic Convention. The necessity of following
Gov MANLY to the West will deprive him of the
opportunity of meeting with his friends in the East
between this and the day of election but feel
fdent that although absent he will not be forgotten
Nothing buta vigorous effort is wanting and the State
is ours Will not that effort be made 1t should
it MUST, and it WILL be!
Publle improvements Cape Fear River, Sc.
The more we reflect upon the subject, the more
fully are we convinced that the Cape Fear River and
Its connections forms the best and almost the onl
practicable means to unite Wilmington and the sea-
board with the interior. We doubt much whether
any other line of Improvements will benefit US
at ALL pay for their own maintenance. to say
nothing of the cost of construction. At any rate,
this is the natural outlet and every dollar spent up
on charging natural facilities in this direction,
viii confer upon more benefit than three dollars
spent in any other. We neither wish to entertain,
express awaken feelings of jealousy distrust
towards the people in and about Raleigh. They are
honorable and public-spirited as any other men
but STILL they are men, and as such are liable to be
Swayed by their own interests and prejudices We
may be mistaken-we hope we are but unless we
the people of Raleigh neither desire, nor in
tend connection between that place and our road
CASTOR Road seems to be the staple of their daily
dreams and nightly visions; and TO effect this, we
fear that so far as the Raleigh interest goes
nection is destined TO be sacrificed. We need not
urge upon the whole east to oppose this man.
If the State is to give two millions of dollars to the
Road let it at least have some object in view
worthy of her than the galvanzation of a defunet
abortion. the building up of the town of Peters
burg, Va at the expense of the people and the mar
kets of North Carolina.
Too much credit cannot be given to the people of
Fayetteville for the spirit of enterprise which is a
broad among them upon the subject of Plank Roads.
This is a species of improvement which seems to be
peculiarly suited to the and requirements of
the agricultural population of our State 1t is COM
paratyey cheap 1t requires little nothing for its
construction that cannot be supplied by the country
through which it passes and above ALL it allows the
farmer to employ his own Wagons, teams etc, in
the transportation of his produce to market, which,
at certain times of the year, he do, with little or
no interference with or obstruction Of his usual far
ming pursuits So we'll pleased our Fayetteville
friends with the result of their Plank Road far as
it has been put in operation, that they already
taking measures towards the construction OF two
others-one to connect Fayetteville with Raleigh
-, - ~ first work, estimated to cost between
and seventy thousand dollars, we learn that
Cumberland County is willing TO pledge herself to
I the amount of forty thousand. We have not yet
been able to learn that any subscription at least
worth mentioning, has yet been taken in Wake.
An intelligent correspondent of the last Cdronan,
has conclusively proved by facts and figures. that
goods can be shipped to Wilmington carried up the
river to Fayetteville, and by Plank Road to Raleigh
at far less expense than they can be delivered at
the same point by way of Petersburg and the Raleigh
and CASTOR Road. We are not sufficiently acquain-
ted with that section of the country to speak posi-
lively, but if we may judge from the map, Plank
Road from Raleigh might be made to strike the Cape
Fear at point not more than twenty five miles from
that city, and we have little doubt that this route
9 would soon supercede all others in the economical
8 transport of freight.
But there is still another connection which o
s the branches of the Cape Fear affords namely:
connection between the Deep River and the Yadkin
This latter river can, with very little expense, b
made nayigable for some seventy eighty mile
above the narrows thus furnishing water carriage
iA with slight interruption from Wilmington to tn
foot of the Pilot Mountain the borders ofVirginia
q In all these improvements, Fayetteville and VIII
mington should go hand in hand there should be
Earring or conflict between them rightly viewed thei
interests are identical Why should not their feeling
Il Isl be so also! They are but different points tn
great central valley of the State, and what benefit
one, must benefit the other.
I'LL The last work which we shall notice at present
the Manchester road and its branches 1t is b
means of this road, if at ALL that must hope
reach the rich cotton counties upon Sout
Western border. 1t will be the great outlet of tn
FIJI Pee Dee country. How far will benefit by il
trade, must depend pretty much upon ourselves
1t will offer us all we have right to asian opportr
Il nity-and will place from so to so miles neare
i = to the country from which expect to derive GU
4 trade, than Charleston.
az There is one conclusion to which reflection
upon this subject have irresstibly led u.s. namely ths
Il the gradual and certain development of the naturs
facilities for intercourse and trade which hay
pointed out, must inevitably render the Central Ra
Road complete failure and that at distant da!
Ii It's trade will be so tapped, that Rail Road
il can never sustain itself. AS plank road, it ma
& and will and instead of burden, prove a blessin
n II to the State. We know that our views this sui
hjeet will be secuted at by some, and denounced
Il others. They offered simply as our otrn riete
N b from u.s. and with the fullest sense of def
q ciencies and they offered too as the views of
friend of internal improvement, who feels convince
"a that If the Central Railroad be built, and prove
will or a blow tn the of