Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-07-20
TFron the anderson GGzete l4h inst
Judge O'NeaIPs Address to the Rail
Road Convention.

Judge Oneall on taking the Chair, said that
he was fully sensible Of the honor conferred on
him, in calling him to preside over the dehb.
erations of the Convention. He and a friend
from Columbia (Mr. John Bryce were all of
that immense column of Delegates from South
Carolina to the Knoxville Convention, in 1886,
who were present to-day.
The work thus begun is now, after sixteen
years of repose to be completed. The connec-
tion between Charleston and she Great West
through the centre of South-Caroliua, is a work
deserving not only encouragement: by words, but
by money and untiring effort.
Hc said, he hoped that there was no feeling
in the body, but that the aUork should be done,
and that all selfish and local considerations
should be sacrificed on the altor Of our common
good.
In looking around over the vast assemblage,
he felt that there was that interest which would
with the unanimous concurrence OF South-Caro-
lima, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee,
press increasingly the mighty work until the
Blue Ridge was scaled and the valley of the
Tennessee reached and penetrated.
This day the lst of July, 1852 he trusted
would be long remembered as a day of great
consequence to the South and South West. 1t
was the beginning Of a work calculated not only
to make us the recipients of untold wealth, but
also to secure to the people and their children
and chrildren's children heritage Of liberty won
for them by so much blood and suffering.
Are those no motives to make us of one mind
and Of one purpose in carrying out the great
work before us? Can it be that we are to fall
out bv the way, and forfeit the hopes Of South
ern country! Surely not, when it only requires
long pull, strong pull and apull together and
the neighing of the iron horse will be heard, as
he thundcrs on over the Blue Ridge and pours
his breath of fire on the rich fields of Tennes-
see!
Sure am ], said he, that we who have left our
homes, and come for many miles to this meeting
have no other prompting than success in the
great work outh-Carolina has looked to the
charter of the Blue Ridge Rail Road Company
with intense interest! She rcjoiced in its enact
ment, as the opening out of Il way, whereby she
and her sisters of G, orgia. North Carolina and
Tennessee, were to be equally benefited, and to
be bound together by band of iron strong en-
during as time She is, believe prepared both
by her people and Legislature, to do whatever
NAV be necessary to build the road from Ander-
son to such point in Tennessee, as may enable
her to connect with Chattanooga and Knox
vile.
The Company over which I preside, the
Greenve and Columbia Road will do all it can
to contribute to this great end. 1t will interpose
no obstacle to the granting Of charter which
shall connect Anderson with the Blue RIDGE
Indeed, we only desire that the connection should
be made with our road at this place, and then
with spirit of mutual accommodation and ben
eft, there will be no other strife but to "do the
most good!'
hope, said he, We arc here, to-day to write
in letters Of light, "prospenty" on our common
country!