The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-01

will intersect the Knoxville aud Dalton
Road. Through Knoxville : communica-
ton will be opened with CINCINNATI, las
q Charter has been granted by Tennessee
for Road to the Kentucky line, and a
Company is formed in Kentucky to carry
it on to Cincinnati.) A road is now in pro-
gress to connect Calhoun with Chatta-
nooga. From Chattanooga to Memphis,
a road has already been built, and the
Chattanooga road connects it with Nash
vile. A road is also about to be made
between Nashville and Cairo. Thus you
will perceive, that If the Blue Ridge road
il built, commencing at Anderson Court
House and extending to Calhoun, Charles
ton will be connected by a system of
roads, not only with Cincinnatti, but with
Memphis and Cairo, two important points
on the Mississippi river and at distance
from each other equal to the entire
breadth ofTennessee, and nearly one third
Of Kentucky. All the immense trade
which the Mississippi and its tributaries
bring to this important point, together
with that of the fertile regions through
which these roads and their numerous
feeders pass, must find its outlet through
Charleston. At single glance you must
perceive the magnificent prospect it pres
ents. 1t would be suicidal policy in our
State not to secure this gigantic commerce,
now that it is within its reach. But to
secure it, the Legislature mist subscribe
literally. So great are the advantages it
presents, so great the prosperity it will
bring, the State could well afford alone to
build this only link which is now wanting
in this mighty chain. But there is no
call for this.-Charleston, am informed,
will subscribe half a million, and even
more, if necessary. Enough has already
been subscribed in North Carolina to Sc
cure the Charter of tina. State, and Ten
nessee, by her general system of liberality
to her roads, gives $4,000 per mile. AS
deeply interested as all these States arc in
this grand scheme, none are as deeply so
as South Carolina. therefore recon-
mend that you subscribe million dollars
to this road, or even moro, If it be neccs-
sary to complete it. Even if the stock
never paid dollar Of interest, it would
be judicious expenditure on the part of
the Legislature.
But from the fact that it must incvita-
bly, be the great thoroughfarc over which
the commerce Of five or six of the largest
States of this Union will pass together
with the immense amount of travel, which
from its position it will command, there
cannot be a doubt that the stock will pay
heayey interest and thus make the in
vestment profitable one for @ State.
And if we add to this consideration the
fact that it will greatly increase the bust
ness, and consequently the profits OF the
roads already built, in which the State
has a large amount of stock, you will see
further inlucement for fostering the en-
terprsc.
trust no sectional feeling will be
brought to bear OH this question. 1t is a
State matter. 1t is true that the interest
Of Charleston will be more promoted than
any other section Of our State, but the
wealth which will be poured into her lap,
will be radiated throughout It's entire ex-
tent.
There is also, l. believe, project on
foot to extend the Charlotte Road so rs to
command u portion Of his trade. These
two projects cannot interfere with each
other, and they ought not to be consider
ed autagonistic, but rather assisting each
other in carrying ont u grand plan of i'm
provement. When application is made
for assistance to extend this road, the
same liberality ought to be extended To
1t. The State c; n rot expcnd too m, C :,
money in the construction of Railroads,
providing they are ju,liciousIy located,
and economically built for every dollar
will be returned four.fold to its citizens
BY the advantages they afford. Nor will
IT be necessary to tax the people for thi.
purpose. Borrow the money and the
roads themselves will soon pay the inter
est, and gradually liquidatc the debt. By
a Joint resolution ofthc last General As
sembly, a Commissioner WAS appointed to
inquire into the feasibility Of deepening,
shortening, or in any other inanncr inn.
proving, tho Channel Of the Bar anil 9th
er approaches Of the Charleston UarLor.
When the Commission held its first
meeting, we found that the Chamber of
aSiSo "cauJ hau ulc Huttef unueT
consideration. j feel il due to that en-
llghtened and public spirited association
publicly to acknowledge the kindness and
courtesy extended to the Commission, in
placing at our disposal the information
which it had already collected.
The Chamber of Commerce had mem
orialized the Congress Of the United States,
calling its attention TO this work as one OF
national utility and Importance, and asking
an appropriation for the purpose Of carry
ing it out. The Congress Of the United
States appropriated $4,000. The Com
mission took no part in this memorial, but
employed portion of the fund allowed
by the State to defrsy the expense Of a
preliminary survey.
The result Of this survey has afforded
the most gratifying assurance of the prac-