Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-05-18
A Rail Road to Lancaster.


A Rail Road to Lancaster.
We took occasion in previous number to refer to
this subject We do now, not with the ntention OF
urging it's claims upon the consideration OF our people,
nor with the hope OF throwing any new light upon the
subject but as our neighbor of the Ledger has men,
toned it in the last number Of his paper we can only
say that Rail Road to Lancaster from Camden would
in our Judgment be very runous measure for the
pcoplc here to advocate We had better be without
Rail Road even at the risk of one being made to Ches
ter from Lancaster for if we connected with Lancaster
by Rail Road, the effect would be as bad on Camden
rs to be without Plank Road. Rail Roads are great
conveniences to the travelling public but death to
mercantile interests where they pass by place Look
at Coumbia-goods are obliged 10 be sold exceedingly
low there or people 20 to Charleston So it would be
with a Railroad connection with Lancaster. The
Ledger says:-
awe believe, Ito be candid that the majority
of the people of Lancaster would prefer to see
the Road built from Camden, but when Camden
exhibits SO little disposition to preserve her com
merce, why we must unite with those who Will
cooperate with Us.
It would be foolish in us to say that the Road
could be built from Chester at as low price as
it could be from Camden. but we know this, that
the country between Chester and Lancaster IS
richly settled by an intelligent and wealthy pop
ulation, and they are willing to have the Road,
all they require now is little stimulant-some-
thing to inete them on to actlon--the semi or
tri-weekly line would do this.
As we remarked, our people do not willingly
desert Camden. They love Camden-it has
been the market for them always, and for Their
fathers before them but if Camden wishes to
retain this part of her trade, she must use the
means. There is wealth in Camden, and by
malicious use of it, it would be the means OF pre-
venting that stagnation of trade which will GER
taiuly follow when the Rail Road is completed
to Charlotte"
If our Brother Ledger will insert the word Plank
Road for Rail Road we will be found with him-a
genuine true blue co-operationist-and promise TO 40
our part towards its speedy construction as lah1 Us
the hope may appear We are apprised that very
great convenience will Rail Road prove to planters
contiguous to its line-they may find increased acii-
ties for the transportation Of their Cotton and other pro-
Qucc to Charleston, ana III Tetuiu ieScifo '@ sNPP
little cheaper than they could buy in Camden or Lam
caster But the question may be very properly asked
Is Charleston only to be benefited by Rail Roads?
Such the result Of Railroad oQs1ataps 50
chants? If Rail Roads arc only to be made for the
convenience of Planters, Merchants display but little
judgment or wisdom in aiding in their constructions
We had as well abolish all trade except in the picay-
unc way in the up-country, and make Charleston at
once the great emporium and headquarters fora trade
and convert our towns into depot for the rcceiv-
ing safe keeping, and delivery of goods for the interior
We are not opposed to Rail Roads as great sectional
enterprises. We like however to some degree Of
moderation observed in everything Let Rail Roads be
made the great horoughhrcs for trade and freight on
routes between large cities and distant ponts-et them
be as the great iron back, and let Plank Roads be as
the ribs connecting wi h the main trunk. Many parts
of the country can support Plank Roads well, where
Rail Road would be losing business. We regard the
construction of Rail Roads great enterprises and
hope soon to hear the distant Vallies of the West
vertebrate with the wild snort Of the iron horse" We
should like to see chain OF Railroads connecting the
rocky ellis of Maine with the fair and fertile plains OF
Louisiana We say, we should like to all this Let
Rail Roads be as great principles, and Plank Roads
make the items.