The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-29
From the Greensborough Nv. CO. Patriot.
Letter from the Hon. VIM A. Graham,
In reply to inpitation 10 attend the Celebration Of
Breaking Ground on The North Carolina Railroad,
at GreensborOugh, North Carolina

10 tncndtt07i 10 dfteTQ me CeieOfdtl0n
Breaking Ground on The North Carolina Railroad,
at Greensborough, North Carolina.
WAsHINGToN CITY, July z, 1851.
DEAR SIR | acknowledge the polite invi-
tation of the President and Directors-o the
North Carolina Railroad Company TO the cele
bration OF breaking ground on that great public
work on the ! lth instant, and regret that shall
be disappointed in the pleasure of being present
at this interesting ceremony, as well as in my
purpose, for some time entertained, of attending
the annual meeting of the Stockholders.
To the friends of this enterprise, with whom
have been proud to cooperate in the darkest
hours of its fate, as we'll as to all the good cit-
zens of the State who shall participate in the
celebration of its happy commencement, offer
my hearty congratulations and good wishes.
That much has been accomplished as the sub
scription of the whole capital stock the organiza-
ton of the company, the survey of the entire route,
the letting of the contracts for grading and con-
structon throughout the same, and the actual
breaking of ground, in the face of all the dis
couragements and opposition encountered since the
first assemblage of the friends of the work at Sails
bury two years since, affords surely an occasion
for mutual felicitation and rejoicing; and look
forward to the day of its final completion as time
of deliverance, not merely from the shackles of
prejudices and error, which, however honestly en-
tertained, have been the bane of our prosperity.
In the beautiful allegories of Goldsmith, published
nearly century back-certainly before railroads
built or thought olive read of the minister
of eastern queen whose administration of affairs
was much complained of among her subjects
that day was appointed TO hear those making ac-
cusations against him, and when he should stand
upon his defence. The day being arrived the first
who complained was carrier who supplied the
city with hsh. He exclaimed that il was the cus-
tom, time immcmorial for carriers to bring their
fish on horse in hamper, which, being placed
side and balanced by stone on the other
thus conveyed with ease and safety but that
the prisoner, moved by spirit of innovation, or
perhaps bribed by the hamper makers, had obliged
all carriers to use the stone no longer, but balance
one hamper with apother-an order entirely repug-
nant to all antiquity, and those of her majesty's
kingdom in particular.
The carrier Finished and the whole court shook
their heads at the innovating minister. Next came
the inspector of city buildings, who charged him
with having ordered the demolition of an ancient
ruin which obstructed the passage through one of
the principal streets. He observed that such build
ings were noble monuments of barbarous antiqui-
ty contributed finely to show how little our ances-
should be held sacred, and suffered gradually to
decay.
The last witness who appeared was widow,
who had laudably attempted to burn herself on her
husbands funeral pile. But the innovatng min
lister had prevented the execution Of her design,
and was insensble to her tears, protestations and
entreaties.
The two fret offences might have been pardon
cd; but for the injury to the SEX contrary TO the
customs OF all antiquity, the queen (says the
story) ordered the criminal to be banished from
her presence forever. "Iacknowledge my crine,'
said he; 'and since am TO be banished, let it be
to some ruined town or ruined village in the coun-
try have governed. ! shall find some pleasure in
improving the soil and bringing back a spirit of
industry among the inhabtants." This request
seeming reasonable, was granted and courtier
was ordered to fix place of Punishment answer
ing the minister's description. After elk months
search, however, the inquiry proved fruitess; nei-
Their a dcsolate town ruined village could be
found ia the whole kingdom. Then" said the
minister, chow can that country be i'll governed
which has not desolate town or ruined village in
it," The queen, perceiving the justice of the
monstrance, RENTED his sentence and restored
him to favor.
The projectors of this railroad are certainly
ment against the innovating minister. They do
propose to carry at least two hampers of fish up
the country, and two bales of cotton or hogsheads
of tobacco down, by means at least as simple and
cheap as one carried before.
Considering, also, that they design to cut down
mountains and lift up valleys 80 as to form path
for fiery monster carrying weight of fifty tons
and running with more than race. horse speed over
hill and dale, they henous offenders against
barbarous antiquity as he who removed the vene-
rable ruin from the streets Of the city.
How, like him, they shall do injury to the sex,
by the introduction Of those novelties it is perhaps
moro difficult 70 Define unless it be that 'tirne and
space" are about to be annihlated by the rapidly
OF travel, and love to lose it's reward for of
troubles to encounter that education and ac-
comphshments, the graces and re6nements of life,
are TO become so generally diffused, by the more
general diffusion Of opportunities and means for
their requirement, that competitors will become
more numerous and the prize Of admiration more
difficult TO win. II, however, for any or all Of
these offences we are doomed to Punishment like
the offending minister, and shall be graciously
allowed the condition of place permitted to him,
trust shall find, by the time this road shall be
completed and brought into full operation, that
there will not be in the State, at least in that large
and populous part through which it runs, deco
late town, ruined village, or farmhouse, ham
let, to claim US as exiles.
In surveying, as have recently had opportunity
to do, the public works of New York and other
States north of this capital, and contemplating the
manifold advantages they confer on the inbabi-
tanis Of those States, it has been to me matter Of
wonder how we, in the interior of North Carolina
with but little better means of travel and transpor.
tation than when thunders Of British cannon we're
heard on the spot where you now stand, can hold
our hand IN the competition Of business with hoss