The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-06-18
Plank Roads,

The people Of western North Carolina appear
to be waking up to the advantages of this mode
of improvement. A meeting was held at Lincoln
ton on the 18th uit, and another at Charlotte on
the 18th, to promote the construction of a road
between those two towns; and third was held
at Newton, Catawba county, in favor OF road
from that place to Yorkvle, sc.
The evident tendency of affairs at present is,
that ALL THE TRADE worth talking about will be
most effectually cut off from Camden. 1t is mat
ter of small consequence to US achere the trade
goes to, if we lose it. But certain it is we Think
that it will 60 some ,ohere else, and that very soon,
if we do not mend our 1cays Let Lincolnton and
Charlotte build road, and it will be so much the
better for us, if we muster up courage enough to
connect with them If we fail to do this, let us
think what will be the probable state of affairs:
Without passable market road to North Carolina,
we will have no access to that valuable trade !;
the Columbia and Charlotte Railroad is converg-
ing to that point with Ito us) fearfulrapidity The
trade which we now get, and the probable i'll
crease if we build road, will, in our failure to do
so, be entirely cut off, and we be left without rem
edy. We propose briefly to discuss, or recapitu-
late what has already been said upon the Plank
Road subject.
In the first place, We premise that necessity
exists for better market roads to the town of Cam
dem particularly towards the North Carolina
line. In the busy seasons, or at wagoning time,
the roads are always at their worst-because gen.
orally in the winter, inclement weather and large
amount of travel tends to keep the public high
ways in such disagreeable state, that large de-
gree of fortitude is necessary to undertake jour-
ney to market. The present mode of working
our public roads is not calculated to do much
good, but on the contrary, tends rather to their
injury. The idea of summoning men twelve days
in the year to work the roads, and. do as they
have heretofore done, is next to farce, and is an
absurdity. Our roads, particularly the clay hills,
are getting worse every year; and it is difficult
matter, under present circumstances, to change
the course of things unless some better way be
adopted. Now let us suppose case, which in
part is fact, and one to be lamented. We have
no passable market road to North Carolina; and
next winter tho Railroad is completed to Charlotte
from Columbia; where will Camden be? No pro-
phetic vision is necessary to answer this ques-
tion.
Is it reasonable to suppose that North Carroll
mans will incur the risk of sticking in the mud,
breaking down horses, wagons, and themselves,t to
reach our market! Is it presumable that they
will, when they can, for te,o dollars, 60 else
where-to Columbia or Charleston. We think
not; they never will when self-interest, comfort,
and pecuniary advantage indicate this as the bet
ter way We settle the question then, and take it
for granted that failure on our part to build
Plank Road 10 North Carolina, and the compile
ton of the Railroad to Charlotte, will seal our fate
as business place; and we fear irrerocabty, II we
let the present time pass, when we may build
road, Send in your subscriptions, citizens OF ker-
shaw and Lancaster, and let US build road-then
mark the change. The sturdy sons of the old
North State would never think of unloading their
wagons at Charlotte. SELF INTEREST, the great
mouing principle Of human action-the only perpei-
uaz motion yet discovered-would impel them to-
wards our market, particularly as the idea OF one
or two dollars per bag, freight, on cotton, and six
or seven for themselves, cash, to begin with, ne
cessary to expend for the privilege of market
Whereas, small item of expense would enable
them to reach us, where they can always get as
much for produce, if not a little more, and buy
about as cheap as in any other place-no tavern
bills to pay-and enjoy the same free and easy
privileges which their fathers had before them.
Say what the world may, about ON RIp and
his descendants; if they don't bother themselves
much about NASHVILLE CONVENTIONS, they are
apt to be with you when there are bargains about.
Build Plank Road, pay as much for produce,
sell as cheap, and if Old Rip is not ~th you, it is
no fault OF his, and who blames him!
These are honestly and plainly some of our no.
tons on this subject; if the citizens of this and
the adjoining Districts intend to do anything in
this matter, let it be commenced al once, II they
intend to do nothing-taking it for granted that
our town Is .fnished-et it be 80. This latter
course will demonstrate most conclusively to our
sorrow, that zoe are finished. If we have already
resigned Us to fate-laying the iattering unction
to ourselves, that phateuer is, is right were
pity to disturb the equilibrium of our minds; for
surely It's fact,
eff ignorance is bliss,
"rwerc folly 10 be wise"
Bills for reducing the rates OF postage lave
been reported in both houses of congress and