The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-11-10

tOl CuS WnOle w est. S.r w lCn tnfS srOau cO1Il-
pleted, Charleston, South Carolina aud Geor.
| gia would be the nearest markets for the
corn, wheat, pork, &c. of the West, while
the, West could land would draw largely
from the South ATLANTIC cities for its sup
! plies of West India productions, European
! goods; DC. This road must be the great
1 trunk line between the Great West and
North and South Carolina, Georgia, Flori-
da and portions of Alabama and Tennessee.
"The Blue Ridge Railroad must, therefore,
he nationally southern in its character, the
great highway between the great States of
the West and the Southern Atlantic States
seaboard, and the Gulf of Mexico and Flor
ida, and be beneficial alike to all of them"
Such is, in few lines, the Rabun Gap Rail
road, its route, connections, Importance and
value to the country.
! iouth Carolina is deeply, vitality interest
~ in the construction of this road. 1t is
indispensable to her. Without it, she is, in
- measure, cut off from the West, and may
be from, the South West-or at least at the
mercy of rival interests. With it, she has
full, free, direct, speedy, and certain access
TO the West, as well as to the immcn min
eral and coal deposites of the country.
South Carolina should build this road
place it, by State rid. brynnl doubt. It's
az enterprise morihy IF her, 1t would be
The coronal of honor t" her. 1t would pour
into her lap an ulrnling and ever incrras-
ing tide of fame to tl,. State and wealth to
her citizens. There is tile in the affairs of
States is we'll as of men, which taken at the
flood. lead on to fortune. This tide is now
flowing past South Carolina. If she takes
it at the flood, builds the road, the future
will be rich in all that tends to prosper
States If she fails to see what duty re-
quires at her hands and to perform, that du-
ty in manner becoming to ner high char
acter. it will he Il heavy blow TO tile State,
which it will take years to repair.
At present, South Carolina is at the mer-
cy Of Georgia, for access to extensive re-
gons now trading to her fine seaport. Very
naturally, every eXertion is and will be used
to concentrate this trade upon its own cites.
Build the Rabun Gap Road and this would
not he the case. Already road has been
commenced between Chattanooga and Cleve-:
land, and another short arm is projected to
the Rabun Gap from the Fast Tennessee and
Georgia road; this would be the nearest
| route from West and Middle Tennessee,
North Mississippi, Arkansas and North AL
ALBANIA, to South Carolina and to Charles
ton. BY it our cotton would 90 and we re-
ceive our goods, free from delay or vexatious
charges OIL the Georgia State Road. It is
this aspect Of the question which causes our
people to feel deep personal interest in this
Rabun Gap Road. Its construction will
open up to this region new and better
route to Charleston, and gives also access to
the great West by good route. When
finished, for it is now under head way, it will
remove South Carolina and her growing sea-
port, Charleston, from dependent siuation.
1t will place her in an independent position,
where she can draw to her. limits atrade
circumscribed by nothing and Of incalculable
value. 1t will secure the Southwest to her,
and give her more than fair chance for the
mighty West.
South Carolina and Charleston have done
much for the Southern country in building
up Railroads, and making the State and city
accessible. Thus far they have done a0ell
Let the State now do better-put the finish
ing touch to the good work. She has bound
herself with iron ligatures to the Southwest,
and tlrives from the sustenance flowing to
her through them. Let the State now bind
herself in like manner to the West, and
that reservoir will pour an exhaustless stream
Of wealth into. her citizens, so that they will
rise up and bless such "cherishing mo-
ther." She has always been ready to 'apend
7 and be spent in the cause of the South.
This road is. Southern to the backbone--in
origin, in beneficial results, and in execution.