The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-08-15
Columbia and it's Rail Roads.

Columbia and its Rail Roads
4 recent visit to Columbia has assured US that the
various Rail Roads which concentrate at this pleasant
tovn-which We venture is unsurpasscdin in the Union
in point beauty intelligence and desirabess in almost
every partcular-have done and are doing much for
its present and future prosperity Not content with
present attannents in this particular the Columblans
with cornmendabe and characteristic ZEAL are moving
boldly forward towards other important Railroad pro-
icctions The survey Of the route and the necessary
nreminares have been accomplished for the COM
mencemcnt OF direct road from that place to Ham
burg We like this idea very much, and regard the
movement the part Of our neghbors as an ad'nira'
BILE one, which we hope and believe will result in
much good and permanent benefit to the town. Even
with our present connection, either by Wilmington or
Charlotte (uery circuitous routes to Ralcigh) road
from Hamburg to Columbia would afford a more direct
and consequently more desirable route for travellers
going from South or North, or Cice. .rerSa.
There is n very important idea in this proposed con-
nection between Columbia and Hamburg-one which
has as yet received but little tr 10 attention. and
which our friends of Columbia have not cared to int-
mate. We allude to the fact that such connection
will form very important link in tho chain of one of
the bcs most direct and important Railroads connec'
ting the two extremes of our vast and mighty Rcpub'
| lie. When Columbia builds her road to Hamburg
and the North Eastern Railroad is completed from
Charleston to Chcraw, and thence as it will assurcdly
be, to Raleigh in North Carolina, there will only be
two gaps to fill lp-one from Columbia to Camden,
in
most an air line, through country where Railroad
may be made at very small cost. From Augusta,
Geo., to Petersburg, Va, straight line drawn across
the map shows that very small variation would be
required to pass Columbia, Camden, Cheraw and Ra-
leigh. This route was, for long period, tie main
one for the great United States mail from New York
to New Orleans with nearly the whole Of tie travel
passing to and fro. A Railroad built OH this line
would take the burhen OF travel from North to South
Water always will find its true level and the same
principle is applicable TO the great thoroughares Of
the land. The shortest best and safest routes will
always be preferred, and it is reasonable that they
should be. very strong and indisputable TACT is
connected with this proposition. At all seasons Of
the year. it will he unquestonably safe to travel from
Augusta to Raleigh via Columbia, Camden aud Che
raw-no apprehension of taking fcvers and other fatal
diseases in the event Of accidents the Railroad to
deain travellers for hours in the day or night where
as the Manchester and Wilmington road, those in
cessant swamps enough to ntmidate the stoutest
hearts besides the idea Of being subject to feshets
and other unavoidable detentions which, at certain
seasons of the year, are almost sure to occur. This
Road would have the advantage OF q moro Northern
route in various particulars. which must suggest them
selves to all candid and rejecting minds No better
or easier route can be found in the Union for great
national thoroughfarc. In ten years, this idea will
not be so clImcrical, after all.
We must here add word or two, chiding our neigh
Dor Columbia for its sclishncss when the proposition
was made to connect our road with them. How un-
generous it was to refuse our connection and op-
pose our having road? Such sentiments were
unworthy Of the age. Why did they treat our
application with such indifference that we were
| compelled to seek other company? Which drove
to tho necessity Of locating road the cast
side Of the Wateree, passing through four miles of the
ugest swamp in the State, and connecting twenty-five
miles below Columbia? How important would that
NC
of iron. We commonly sec our errors very soon after
they have been committed-then they so apparent
that the veriest dulard may perceive them. In the
present case, we may yet do much TO put ourselves
where we would have been years ago. if the proper
feeling and understanding had existed We may yet
have the great torongn;lrc from the South and South
west passing through Augusta to Columbia, Camden
&C.