Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-08-31
our Position az a Community.

WE have allusion now TO our position in regard to
the several railroad schemes which are fermenng
around us. In the Savannah Valley enterpriZe We
less interested than in or two others we shall
mention presently. But we should not be unconcern-
ed even about that. For, although its benefits will
be chiefly showered upon the Savannah River side of
Edgefeld yet are we not all interested in any thing
that will increase the aggregate wealth and prosperity
of our District. Is it not indeed narrow and selfish
principle that would dictate Indifference to any work
of public usefulness which does not directly advan-
lnre ones individual interests! Granting that the
Valley road if built would give other parts of Edge
field no special facilities, it ought yet to be matter
of rejoicing with every man to see large and res
peciabe portion of his immediate fellCw.cilizens
placed upon vantage ground that may impart new
life to all thcr prospects. The ruguity Of improve
ment, the neghbnrhood Of prosperity never injured
any one. On the contrary, actual and positive ad-
vantages are usually dervable iherefrom. This is at
least the general rule We cannot See why it will
not work in this instance. One advantage the Valley
Road will certainly render TO the District at large
and in fact TO our whole side of The Stale II will
resuscilate decayng market Us, which has long
heen esteemed by our people land very properly SOL
one of the very best, for The Farmers purposes, in the
Southern States. This consideration alune is enough,
on the bare score of selinerest make US wish for
the Valley railroad enterprise complete success
Doubts have been entertained by some (ourseI among
the number, as to the probability Of this stock pro-
wing safe investment. But after reading Arms's
report upon the roule hearing the opinions OF we'll
informed gentlemen through the up country and
morc than alb rcflecling maturey upon the immense
trade 10 be secured very distant day by the Blue
Ridge Road "a considerable share of which the Sa-
vannah river road must and will carry these doubts
have heen in gre ut measure removed Even then
as respects the Savannah Valley railroad, we repeat
that none within the limits Of Edsefed should re-
gard lis progress with unconcern. Rather let us give
lis projectors and supporters the benefit Of our most
cordial good wishes. If we cannot render them sub.
santial aid. let us at least cheer them with our
applause In RETURN their good example may siimu-
late those of US nearer The centre of the District 10
DO something equally crcdiiabe TO ourselves and hem
elcal To our section. The only rivalry be encour
aged between sections in matters of this kind is
characterised by Iaudablc ambition TO do most for
the advancement Of lIlc common interests of our Dis
;nrt and our State.
| But if it bcromcs every one in community to
render as much aid and comfort as lie possibly can
TO work located upon the remote outskirts Of
his District, what shall we say Of the duty de.
v"vug Upon in regarrI to undertaking which
promises to scatter its benefits profusely in our
very midst In other words, if the Savannah Valley
railroad company deserve from US at least hearty
" GOd-spced," What does not the contemplated con-
nrction, Of New Market and Aiken uia EdgcfcM
Village demand Il, hands !! That it will double
the value Of real cSlae'al along lis lineat il vii!
qnadrnple orr market facilities whether for sales or
pnrcaSes.-lhat it will multiply tenfOld our ways
and means of making respectable lirelihoud-that
| it will bring 10 our doors comparatively cheap
terms many luxuries and conveniences Of which We
are now almost deprived by reason OF their e1trava-
giant cus,-lhat it will place us grand highway
of travel and trade, which will probably become one
Of the biggest arteries in all our Southern commercial
system and whose every throb will but raise our
homes higher aud higher in the scale of wealth and
imprUvemcn,-llai it will give us in short nearly all
!he advantages aud facilities, moral, intellectual and
physical, enjoyed by the most favored spots upon
the American conlInent-i!at it will do all this. and
even more it may be, is certainty that cannot be
tunay doubted. Prejudice may lif up her croaking
voice against each and every one of these PROPOSE
verse; %az T~ snsH Es$ iii f.
ncr of ugly and i'll hrgotlcn doubts-Parsimony may
decry them while she clutches more tightly her greasy
pursc.Srrngs. But facts and figures, to be gathered
not frum few isolated instances only hu, from the
history Of almost every railroad in existence, sufli-
cieniiy prov. their truth. The benefits of railroads.
to The prcrmary interests Of those who live upon their
! lines, are Among the =: known numbers of the
age. Upon their basis, calculations have again and
again been made. which have resulted in The enrich.
ing and ccvang not alone Of individuals but Of
whole communities. And it remains for the
people Of EIgeGe!d not merely thnse who reside in
this town and its virini'y but all who are located
along the suggested line, TO say. whether they will,
b. wisely liberal subscriptions Of Stock place Them
selves in possession Of all The prominent and valued
advantages of their day and generation Let no tcm-
p"rIzng timiiiy keep them back in the great work Of
securing this most enyiahle position. Least of all
should small considerations Of temporary private adj
vantage influence any in ilc matter The oppurtu.
nity is golden one, but it may soon fleet by and pass
into the hands or others. We will regr. it then in
vain Now is the time for action. BY the first Of
January next til. charter, under which this Aiken
and New Market link is tnbe huilt, must be secured
or else he forfeited. There is however, we apprc-
hrnh, but litc doubt 10 its being secured. The
Grren,iIe and Columbia Company will see to it that
! this be done. But the important point with Mt
/ E'gcfeld village, and 1--WE hope may add) with
many of our fcuw-cizens both above and below
| this place, is 10 show full hand in order that we
may exercise controlling inAne ice over the new
work We must ante" as high as we can possibly
afford We must stand square 10 the front and do
our best. Much is at stake, and 10 save the pool
much must be attempted We appending
conditions To our SUBSCRIPTION. To secure res
peci for those conditions, we must lay high offer at
the Company's door. Fifty even seventy-fve
thousand dollars will do very little good. hundred
thousand is the least that wund effect any thing for
us. And hundred and fifty thousand is the notch we
should reach. Garry this respectable amount for.
wari promptly and chrerfulIy, and we make
selves heard at Once--not only heard but respected.
We will Gc greeted as brothers in great work.
Our conditions Will be needed and in less than three
years the road will be built in accordance with them.
Soon then will the present opponents Of this scheme
amongst us he senced When our town and It's Vi.
cnity, the country upon the route towards Cambridge
and towards Aiken, and in fact almost The entire
District shall begin TO feel its cnlivening and enhan
cling n1ucnces--whcn skill, thrift activity exeriion,
enterprise shall have taken the place of The siagna
tiun and ethargy watch now characterize us-when
the sluggards siall be startled from their "fuld-
ing of the together in sleep" by the keen
scream of the engine it brings the wealth of distant
lands to our dep S-when men shall have no lime to
CIT, Loaf, ,h,,, h,,,, halt