North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-01
REMARKS OF Mr.. CAMERON.
OF CUMBERLAND.

the Resolutions of Mr.. Wood6n, relating to an
extension of the North Carolina Rail Road east
and west.
Mr.. SPEAKER: do not purpose, ITO detain the
Senate long, the subject now under consideration,
but duty owe to myself and to those whose hum
BILE representative am on this floor, mpes me to a
task would gladly have seen undertaken by an
other. L am aware sir, that in taking the position
feel constrained TO take this subject shall Law
myself the charge that has been made this
floor, against those who do not go the whole figure
on the subject of Internal Improvements, as being
demagogues and pandcrers to the prejudices of the
people. But. sir, whether am charged as such, in
this chamber out of it, shall discharge my duly
AS understand the resolutions your table, they
propose certain declarations to be avowed by this
General Assembly, the settled policy of the State
in the extension ofthe Central Road cast Beaufort
and west to the Tennessee line; and the Senator who
introduced them, has given notice in advance, that
they adopted, he shall then ask appropriation
for making surveys, and estimates OF the probable
cost of such an undertaking. Now, Mr.. Speaker,
there will be found imagine, few individuals who
would not desire to the resources of State
developed to the fullest extent and who would
express that desire in the form of resolutions 9TH
erwise, who nevertheless, would be unwilling to
bark the State copartner in scheme, which may,
and probably will cost many millions of dollars
time when the State is already involved actually
and prosPectvely in several millions of debt. say
prospectireiy, the State is about to become thus
debtor W ell now, Mr.. Speaker, it may be that
have not kept pace with the more than locomotive
speed of the maginaons of some persons this sub
was member of the last Legislature, and
had the pleasure of hearing the very able and elo
quent speeches made this subject But. sir, was
inattentive observer of what passed here. If
my memory does not fail me, were told, that by
the construction of the Central Road from its nler
section with the Wilmington Road to the town of Char
lotte and from thence by the Turnpike Road the
mountains to the Tennessee line, North Carolina
to be regenerated, redeemed and Olsen trallcd-tha
she to be cut loose from her state of vassaage
Virginia and South Carolina. Well, sir, charters for
these works passed, and the natory steps have
been taken to construct them. But beforea spadeu of
earth has been thrown up-beore the charter of the "a
road has been actually secured by the necessary amount
to be paid by individuals, called to COM
NIT the State, far can be done by resolution TO
a still more gigantic scheme. The people of the
State have scarcely recovered from the surprise of
what they considered vast undertaking, before they
brought contempate-in the distance it's true
sir-a scheme that might have staggered even De-
Witt Clinton. For one, Mr.. Speaker, | thank the
Senator from Buncombe. for thus early shadowing
forth the ultimate end of those who advocate these
resolutions We at least cannot complain of snap
Judgment 1t is my purpose now, Mr.. Speaker, to
notice some of the arguments brought forward in
support of the resolutions.
The subject of Internal improvements in this State
has long occupied the public mind, and the advantages
of Railroads have been the theme of MANY an orator.
1t is doubtless asserted by the Senator from
Guord. that the failures attendant on those schemes
in North Carolina, hitherto have tended retard the
spirit that has been time awakened particular
ly the failure of the Raleigh and CASTOR Road. But
sir, all the dvantages flow from the consruc-
ton of Railroads. as described elnquentIy by the
Senators who have preceded me, can hardly think
that failure many failures, would Thus long
have operated to prevent the States becoming part,
ner in these works. 1t is that. sir the cause lies
deeper-it is the geographical position of your State,
and the consequent impractcabiy of concentrating |
the trade Of the State lohin the limits Of the State
The people inhabiting the counties the northern |
borders of North Carolina. find easier market in
another State, and they will continue to seek that mar
ket. The people residing in the western and south
western counts find their interest leads them to the
markets of South Carolina and Georgia, and SIR if
the Central Road was to run from the extreme wes-
tern limits of the State to the Ocean. such in nv
opinion would be the case. Senators have described
in glowing coors the condition of the northern States
and ascrbed THEN present prosperous situation the
Railroads they have constructed. Here again. Mr.. |
Speaker is in my opinion another error; the effect is
put for the cause. The people Of the North have !
been enabled to construct their roads and other i'm
provements, by the tax levied southern labor by
means of Congressional legislation. A protective ia
riff which was the policy of the government for many |
years, (but happily no longer SOY has created an
amount of wealth the North, iustifyinp them in |
embarking in these works of Internal Enforcement !
The large sums of money drawn from tile national
treasury. annually appropriated for public works
the North, has enriched these States while the pro-
ducno States of the South have been IMPOVERISHED by
this unequal taxation and distribution. With few
exceptions the southern States have received but little
the hands of the general government. and if there
be any truth IN the remark, that individual wealth
constitutes the wealth Of nation, then. it is lon
ger matter of surprise that the North is prosperous
while the South remains stationary, any rate, is
not so far advanced in wealth and prosperity.
Much stress laid on the success attending the
opening Of the Erie Canal. Do gentlemen reflect on
the connexion which that Canal affords ?-that the
inland seas which abound in the western portions of
New York surrounded by lands fertile as any
the globe. and that to make these lands available
a communication must be had with the ocean, and
that this connection could only be had by of
Canal1 But here can parallel. We have
no inland seas. though have fertile lands; yet,
unfortunately. these lands situated be in
vted TO marke: beyond the limits Of the State; and
strongly incline the opinion that if your Railroad
bnilt to connect the d" blue waves of the ocean,
with the 6 blue mountains I" of the west, that the
trade of that country would continue TO find its outlet
through its accustomed channel
But, sir, Senators have pointed to Georgia. Sou
thern Sfate as evidence of the utility of Railroads.
No one sir, presume. questions their utility when
they be constructed without imposing too heavy
a burthen on the people. Gentlemen will reeollect
the fact that Georgia has been enabled
fnnd for internal improvement through the of
the public domain lying within her borders; have
also all the States who have embarked in these
works. Scarcely Congress passes without making {
donations of lands for purposes of internal improve
ment. Have any facilities of this kind Can
North Carolina enter the lists, unaided she has
been and will be, with the young States of the west,
who are furnished by the general government lib
orally out of the common fund Can she hope to !
pursue with the rapidity this desirable (f you
choose to call it soy emulation against such fearful
odds, without exciting apprehensions the
probable consequences 1t is known to all that the
appropriations made by the last Legislature excl
ted alarm, and in some minds discomfort. do not
mean to discuss their merits dement's now. These
acts have become the law of the land and must be