The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-08
From the North Carolina Standard.

We can assure the WiImIn gton Journal il was
not our purpose in the article 10 which that paper
refers, to prejudice the public mind against the
proposed Charlotte and Wilmington Railroad, or
to do Injustice 10 The interests the spirit of en-
terprlse oil the two places. Our impression was
that the contemplated Road would conflict some.
hat with the North Carolina Road and especial
ly that it would create difficulty, and probably
animated and angry c0ntest as 10 the point from
which the extension westward should commence;
but referred to the matter only in the light
complained OF because we were roticing the dem.
agoguecal course Of Gen. Dockery, and because
we felt that an attempt had been made by por-
ton of The Wings to manufacture party capital
out OF the Charlotte Convention. Since reading
the Journals article we have looked more care.
fully into the matter, and we are now prepared TO
concur generally with the views Of that paper on
the subject, with the exception al its position in re-
Iaon TO the point from which tn begin the exten.
sion westward. This proposed Road must. in The
very nature Of things, be OF essential service 10
Wilmington and il must benefit Charlotte also,
for will give TO the enlerprsiug traders and pro.
ducers OF that region a better choice OF markets
han they would otherwise. have. Ia addition Ia
this, il will run through part Of the State abound
ing in naval stores and producing largely the great
staple, cotton. But the Road, il is evident, must
rely for success upon freighls and way. travel.
The Journal has done Us The justice TO state that
our feelings towards Wilmington Of friendly
character. Our columns, Tor years past, will bear
witness TO this. No town on the American conti-
nent has struggled mere constantly or more brave-
y, 10 speak, TO advance and improve It's condi-
ion than Wilmington has done; aud cold indeed
must be that North Carolina heart which does not
leap with pride when the enterprise. The spirit, and
The devotion to internal improvements OF the cid
zens OF Wilmington are mentioned. Charlotte,
100, has recently entered the lists oI competition,
and her prospects, at time by no means inVi.
ting to men Of capital and trade, have entirely
changed. Her population is rapidly increasing.
the hum OF industry and of active business opera.
lions is heard in her streets. and she is now out.
stripping, in the Of progress and wealth, ap
other inland towns in the State. We commend
her citizens for the efforts they are making to ex-
tend their business and TO build up their town;
and certainly we should be the last TO stand in
their way, or to PREJUDICE either their claims
those Of the people of Wilmington 10 new works
'of internal improvement. So far as zee are con.
cerned, We prefer that all new schPmes should
stand before the next Legislature on their own
merits. The leading idea ofthe day is, and should
be, so 10 plan and construct oar works as to turn
the channels Of trade towards our own seaports.
II this can be done, we may safely leave the rest
to time and events If this had been done twenty
five years ago, North Carolina would have been
at this time one of the first States OF lhe South
yet twenty-five years in States existence is but
brief period, and the loss OF them only devoves
on Us with increased weight The duty OF doing for
ourselves and pos'erity what our fathers failed
TO do for lhemse Ives and for US.