Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-01-08
HsMRr-RG AVID TIE PLANK ROAD,

A few days ngo We paid n short visit to our
market town, and of course, in doing 80, passed
and repassed over our Plank Road, in reference
to both of which we propose to indile word or
two.
The prosperity of Hamburg, we must admit,
seems to be at stand. The question is, will it go
into decay! We are not prepared % consent to
the conclusion, lat which some re suddenly
jumped) that it will The same conclusion, it will
be remembered, was drawn by many when the
Augusta Canal was opened. And yet the trade
of Hamburg has been, since that event, fully us
good, if not better than it was before. 1t is now
thought that the great upper Railroad will GER
tainly effect what the Canal certainly did not ef-
feet, viz: the downfall of Hamburg. But there
are several considerations which induce lis to hope
and to believe that our little town will yet hold
up her head with the rest-aye, with the best.
First, Hamburg enjoys the reputation of being the
fairest and best market for produce in the State.
There is the "prestgc," and that is something.
People dislike to desert good factor even though
others become more convenient. There is sumc.
thing in habit-cspccinlly when it has been
interests The habit Of trading with Hamburg
has nnqueslionably proved to be one of that de.
scrpton, 10 these who have formed it. And it
will be much more difficult to set aside than is
generally supposed. Because it is not like the
habit of some animals, which oriH go to q certain
pasture even though much freshcr one might be
found. No-IIamburg not only has been good
market-tut she will, we imagine, continue to be
such. Augusta, q 1ourishing city, is near by 10
regulate her. in the article Of cotton especially.
She will be obliged always to compete in her pri-
ces with the Augusta market; otherwise, the
planter will drive his cotton mile further and
get the fair worth Of his produce. Thus will
there ever be direct cause acting to ensure to
him the realization of just and reasonable price.
This cause will not be acting upon the little mar
kcts which arc being established above us. And
for this reason we think it fair to conclude, that
Hamburg will be safer-cer.any less 1uctu-
aling market than any one Of them. But it will
b. snit tho convenience Of the others, their con-
tiguity, &c., will connterbalance any such advan-
tages. Not necessarily so Aiken was more con.
venicn 10 q large portion ofthose who had, before
its establishment, traded with Hamburg, and on
the direct route TO Charleston. Aiken rose to
certain eminence with considerable speed, prnci.
pally from the novelty Of The ,hing-.o some OK
tent, from its apparently superior position. But
where is Aiken now Il! Gone forever as market
town. 1t could not continue competition with
Hamburg, nor do we believe that it will be done
by any other place or places, now in prospect, TO
| her serious drtriment. We are the more disposed
to advance this opinion, in view of the advantages
likely to ensue from the Plank Road now in pro.
grcss, leading from Hamburg 1 eonvenence
here will be great achievement for the interests
| Of orr market town. 1t, ,ciH draw trade, if the
history of these roads is not belicd in this instance
for the first time. They have competed with
Rail. Roads after the trade of the dacent country
| had become accustomed to Railway conveyance
How much more so, before this result has come
about! No population has ever yet adopted the
| use OF Railroads at once for transportation.
1t has generally been q slow and gradual thing
With Plank Roads It is very different There is no
departure from the ordinary course of travel cx.
cept in erpcding the wagon wheels and saving
good teams, at a small cost. On these premises
we found The opinion that the Edgefcld Plank
Road Gf continued at once) will enter the race
even with the great Grecnville and Columbia
Railroad, with bright prospect Of AT least equal
success. And if so, the future condition Of Ham,
burg will yet surpass any previous period of her
prosperity. That it may be 20, we earnestly de-
sire, aud so, we think, ought every citizen of
Edgcfeld to desire, il he wishes to advance his
own interests and the veal of his community.
We only add that the Plank Road is progressing
finely, and paying as we'll MS ever. Near ten miles
of the road are now completed. The Company
have established another aw-mi, and their 0per-
atoms are more energetic.