Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-03-09
Rail Road Connections.

1t is surprising to see what lively interest has been
awakened in the minds of the people of the Southern
States upon this subcct-t is also gratifying tosee the
rapid progress which is being made towards the con-
structon Of Rail Roads in our State. There is great
enterprise and we glad to see that our State is
likely to occupy prominent position in this regard
1t is magnificent idea to link the Southern States
together in bonds of union and strength identifying
each by the strong ties Of common interest and mutual
dependencies and there is no better mode Of accom-
plishing this great and desirable end than by the
projects on foot for bringing the fertile vaes Of Ten
nessee and the Mountains Of that State, and Upper
Georgia and Kentucky, and our own beautiful Up
Country in close proximity to the Seaboard at Charles
ton which is destined to become the great commercial
emporium of tho Southern States Certainly there is
every reasonable hope that this will at no very distant
day be effected The it is done the better
The means are within reach, and the object would be
easily attained the proper efforts were used 1t is
matter of no small consequence that the connection to
which we refer, should be speedily made with our SIS
ter Southern States whose geographical position and
resources invite us to more intimate acquaintance
than we have hitherto had-rich in valuable products
we are largely dependant upon them for the comforts
and nccessares of life We believe that the constu
ted authorities Of the State, should take this matter
into consideration and allow scch means to be applied
from the public treasury as the Importance Of the en-
terprise demands The reason We have always been
behind other States is that backwardness on the part
of the State to foster and encourage the right kind OF
enterprises has ecctually closed the door against all
efforts emanang from the public spirit of our people
We are clear therefore for the State bearing hand to-
wards the construction of the Rabun Gap Rail Road
In the practcabiity of the scheme, we rely solely upon
the opinions of those whose experience renders them
competent to Judge In the report recently submitted
by COL BRowN, an experienced and accomplished En-
gnecr it is manifest that great advantages would re-
suit to the State by securing this great route In re-
card to the advantage to bc derived from saving in dis
tance, we append the statistics ofthe Engineer
"should the connection be broken only at Augusta,
much less severed by the Savannah this distance dwin-
dies to nothing and gives the Rabun Gap route in all
respects the most ncontestatlc superiority.
Chattanooga to Charleston via Atlanta 44sm
" " Rabun Gap 1875
Knoxville /" Atlanta 54s
" - Rabun Gap 464-s4
Chattanooga Wilmington via pahn, Atlanta e S5s 55s
Knoxville Atlanta 6I9
" Rabun Gap 50S-l7l
Chattanooga " Charlotte via Atlanta 563
/" Rabun Gap 464-99
From Knoxville to Charlotte via Atlanta 663
" " Rabun Gap 444-2l9
To Charleston this proposed connection offers meal.
culable advantages 1t presents first route for all
t1, Coo no ron
were obstructions at Augsta removed. 1t presents
second all traffic via Knoxville, route so decided
" superior in distance that it cannot be an exaggera
ton to say it will give her the monopoly Of the bus-
ness of East Tennessee, and all which seeks market
through that region 1t commends itself to the State
at large by improving the value of and adding to, a
its public works"
The estimate is that the distance Of the new Road
projected will be about $50 miles and that ST. 00OO
will be sufficient to build it in permanent manner not
exceeding 1000 900. Labor may be obtained cheaply,
and every facility may be had provided the money can
be raised. Surely the State will move in the matter.
great deal better Judgment will be displayed by such
course than wasting breath upon idle and specula-
ton matters which arc foreign to the best practical
interests of tho people To all of this, we may be an
swercd that only portion Of our State will be bene-
fitted by this great move. We arc prepared to admit
that Charleston will be favored than all the rest
of South Carolina beside and it is true that So far as
ce the people of Camden and Kershaw District are con-
ccrncd it may not be a matter of much consequence,
but our philanthropy in this respect should extend
little beyond immediate vicinity, and if we can DO
nothing else than a let US look on and admire the
zeal and energy Of others, who arc willing to work.
The idea the scheme and the whole matter is grand
conception and wo wish it all success and would be
glad to have it in power to give amore supstanta
evidence Of our faith in the work, and appreciation OF
its Importance
Candidates for Congress.
In tho 5th District tho Hon. F. W. Pickens and Capt