Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-02-02
THE STANDARD.
RALEIGH WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2, 1858.
THE COURSE OF TRADE, dc.

A friend writing us from the up-conntry, asks
if the Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad is e worth trys
ING and trusting to bring on our necessary sup
plies, and if it is prompt, careful, impartial, and
sufficiently moderate in its Charge" ~ lie adds !:
Also, what inducements Raleigh can now and
will in future hold out for the sellers of produce
and buyers of their years provisions of groceries
&c Railroads cannot help us if we do not use
them; and Wilmington, Norfolk, and Petersburg
must compete for our pp-country trade. The high
est and most honorable bidder will get it."
The Raleigh and Castor Road has been relaid
with heavy iron and thoroughly repaired-the con-
nectipu link between it and the Seaboard aud Roam
oke Road will soon be completed the Central
Road will be ready for the cars, we presume. in
the course of the next twelve months and VIII
mngton, Norfolk, Petersburg, and Charleston will
thus be thrown open to the people of the interior
of the State, or rather to large portion of them.
The day is not distant, therefore, when specula-
ton as to results will give place to results them
seves-when we shall have practice in the place
of theory. Our sympathies are all with the sea-
ports of our own State. We are anxious that
Wilmington should Share largely in the up-coun-
try trade, and we believe her enterprising mer-
chants and tradesmen will spare efforts to COM
mand this trade. But the competition, from the
very condition of things will be warm and active.
There is no cheaper market in the whole country
than Wilmington especially for groceries and farm
er's yearly supplies. Look the prices current
of he different towns, and you will be convinced
Of this Her trade is rapidly increasing; and her
capaciv for trade has, we believe, been moderated
even among our own people. AS soon as COM
1nunication with the interior shall have been ef-
fected Wilmington will cease, of course, to great
extent 10 purchase her supplies such as hay, ap-
pies. butter, onions, flour, potatoes-from the
Northern and Eastern States, and Will come to de-
pend for these things upon our own farmers and
PLANTERS: and the same remark will apply to
Newbern and Beaufort when the Road from Colds
borough to the latter place shall have been con-
structed But the people Of the interior will trade
where they can get most for their products and at
the same time purchase their supplies at the cheap
est rates-due allowance being made, Of course
for the distance to be overcome and the charges
for transportation.
We take pleasure in giving satisfactory reply
to our Correspondent in relation to the Raleigh and
CASTOR Road. That Road can now be " tried
and trusted" 1t is now in as good a condition
as any Road in the Southern country, and we'll
managed We do not know what reduction in
charges is contemplated but the Road can GER
taimIy carry at cheaper rates than heretofore.
So far as Raleigh is concerned we may say that
up to this time business has been driven to the
tor-noch-that is, we have just many retail
stores as can be sustained-a number of shops, but
no wholesale houses. The people here not
wanting in a spirit Of enterprise The place is ra-
Iidiv improving. The sound OF the and the
hammer can be heard in all directions-ftir prices
ere paid for hands, and all who 5eiH work mCy.
Cur merchants and business men must wake up,
however, and prepare for the future. They may
be able to command considerable up-country
trade; but, in order to do So the wholesale bust
hess must be commenced we doubt not it will
be when the Central Road shall have been COM
peted.
The bulk Of travel from the interior will doubt
less take the Norfolk route; and many of the
merchants of this section and further West WILL in
all probability avail themselves, in purchasing their
dry goods and fancy articles, of the connexion
between that port and New York. We speak Of
facts as they and Of strong probabilities
The course Of trade, however, is not so import
ant, after all, as the existence of trade itself We
may not be able to direct it could wish, but
we can make it and give to it indefinite aug
mentation Let us do this--it will take care Of
itself thereafter; and though the stream may not
run by every door and through all our market
towns, yet sooner later all interests, all localities
and sections will be refreshed and fertilized by it's
Influences and results.
GS The WASHINGTON Correspondent Of the Bal