The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-09-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
Speech of Hon. r. G. Perrin.

TIE following abstract of the remarks of
Mr.. PERRIN, made at the recent Railroad
meeting at Edgcfeld, we copy from the
advertiser:
Every age is characterized by some lead
ing event-sone guiding sentiment. Ours
is emphatically an age Of railroads. These
great channels Of intcrcommunicaton are
now regarded rs the hand-maids of trade
and commerce, of civilization and refine
ment, and the necessities of all civilized
countries demand them. The great idea Of
this age Of practical science is to improve
the channels of trade furnished by nature,
and to invent others that may rival and
even surpass those of nature herself. Tn
giving growth to different commodities in
different countries, and thereby creating a
necessity for trade and commerce, nature
herself prompts man to this exercise of his
inventive powers.
Some countries, and some States of this
Union, are greatly distinguished by the vast
Improvements they have made upon the
natural channels of Recommendations
Look to New York See her beautiful
streams-hcr magnificent rivcrs.hcr broad
lakes! There is the great Hudson, with its
waters deep and calm as lake, capable of
bearing upon her broad bosom the finest
models of steamship navigation. There too
upon her. borders are the noble waters of
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, suited to the
best inland navigation. Yet, not content
with these great natural channels of trade,
the energetic people of that State have
carved out new. and magnificent ones.-
They have CONSTRUCTED canal 800 miles in
length, from Albany to Buffalo, which has
been and is now doing an immense business.
The canal freights last year amounted to
$3,O0O,OOO. They have constructed also n
railroad on the banks of this canal, along
its whole length, from Albany to Buffalo !;
and this too is paying handsomely. And
strange as it may seem, they have built an
other.railtoad, running from New York city
across tile whole State to Dunkirk and Buf-
falo, on Lake Erie, actually rivaliing these
other great channels of trade. In addition
to]this, New York has an immense number
OF, railroads running in and through every
part Of the State.
This enterprising people have made these
exteAsiye railroad improvements at cost
of,hot less than $75,OOO,OOO. But has It
been done without profit? One could scarce
ly believe the statement, if he could hear
the tremendous results of these railroads in
New York They have made her chief city
the emporium Of these United States. Her
vessels and other craft now bear I'd Immense
commerce to every seaport town on the
globe. Hefcapitalists direct nearly every
enterprise Of magnifcence on this whole
Coh9neht. New York has been rising and
risisg, rivalling even Liverpool and London
in their commerce, and will, in time, prob.
ably suppass thern:p And the people of the
whole State have been rendered prosperous
contsnted and happy in the highest degree
Let US, for q moment, turnto South Car
olina, and, observe the contrast. Look al
Charleston ;aber streets almost deserted
herhotels almost abandoned; her naerohantt
looking to the North for their fields Of op
eration.e The tale is briefly told. Charles
ton, compared with New York, has done
ftls forsthe consttpetien nf railroads 70 he,
limits. onH rood into her city, tiiid
LooEabrsaa sodgs 4 ]l az interior .
Sodh EAIoinpss I55 Ss9S 4 d great va
rieeysft4iob psodnetsE 81 q baS earth, Gnsthi.
RESPECT tas9 sur passing New York, 81 an,