The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-10-30

fhaI \
of large STAKEHOLDER is not manual, vet i Aoos
the less engrossing and onerous; and the foo1. II"
between masters and their slaves, in the great Ia
of our population, is kindly on the part Of n, SE
mer, and afectioQatey faithful on the part % T U
latter. Slavery, indeed, is not pure and unr,;e
good. Nor is any thing that is human. Tbe,a Aea
instances of cruel and devilish masters, and of %
bulent and refractory slaves, who cannot be- o.I
trolled and brought into subsection but by eyt,o n
binary severity. But these are exceptions and wy
exceptions. Great severity in masters is as NJ
opposed to the usages Of our people as to the sau
ment of the age, and indeed, to the interest of ~
master. Moderation in the punishment of dano ~e
dents is founded in nature; and unjust excesr
and barbarous cruelty is not to be presumed h.!
quite the contrary. The meek man who led n. w w
raelites through the wilderness, and legislated g.
them by inspiration, understood this better boS
those who paint us so frightfully, without kno~
ing much about US. In treating of the different Jo
grees of homicide, he had regard to the known me-
tives of the human heart, and thereon founded H.
presumption that the Staying of slave by the mas
ter, is by misadventure because he is his monovn
unless it should be rebuked by such excess in i,
degree or duration of the nf1iction as to make b
die under his hand" and thus evince that die;
pline was pretence, aud the killing of DESIGNED
malignity or wanton brutality l appeal to eyprv
one, if our experience is not in accordance with ~
divine statute fhe same motive induces the mas.
ter to De observant of the health and morals of his
slaves; to care tor them and provide for them: 70
restrain them from baneful exoesses and emnlov
them in moderate, though steady labor. That hi,
is the course-the established habit of the slave.
holding portion of the country is plainly to be de-
duced from an increase III the numbers of our slave
population beyond the ratio of natural increase in
the population of any other nation which could
only arise from the abundant supply of the neces.
saries and comforts of life and contented state 81
mind.
On the remaining point, on which the interests Of
agriculture, and indeed of all other employmepk
depend-namely, the facility of transportation, |
have to offer to all North Caronians heartfelt con-
gratulatlons. The carriage of bulky and cheap ar,
tcles long distances in wagons over bad roads was
great drawback on the profits of capital and labor
for long time here. Some relief in particular parts
OF the State was derived from even the imperfect
improvement made in the navigation for boats on
few of our rivers. But it was far below the wants
and demands of the people; and afterwards resort
was had to railroads. The wonders worked bv
steam and railways indeed astonishing through,
out the world. In no part of it can they be more
requisite beneficial than in this State the extent
of which, and the want of navgable waters at only
short distance from the sea, rendered them indis
pensable. Every one, therefore, ought to commend
the legislative policy in provi ling them and in ex
tending them from time to time the funds of the
State may be found adequate 1t will not trust
be going out of the way, while on this subject to
say word in honor of the memory of great and
good man, who first presented the utility and con-
structon of railroads to the notice and patronage
OF this State. | alude to the Rev. Dr. Joseph Cald,
well, the late eminent and Jealous president of the
University. Upwards of thirty years ago he visited
Europe, on the business of the College and there
Saw in op1c 7
remember, he published series of essays under the
signature of "Carlton," in newspaper printed in
this city, explaining the practicabily of their con-
struction, and earnestly urging central one from
Buncombe to Beaufort. The novelty of the subject
and the dread of the expense operating upon timd
counsels, prevented his suggestion from being then
adopted. But it is honorable to his sagacity that
at the late session Of the legislature charters were
granted for completing a line of railroad on the
very route recommended by him, when probably it
was unknown or had been forgotten by the acting
generation of legislators, that he had ever advoca-
ed the measure. shall be pardoned for desiring to
rescue from oblivion for a brief space longer his
early service in cause now generally and justly
advocated, and OF such surprising importance.
have thus endeavored to lay before you the re-
sources and advantages enjoyed by North Carolina,
and her capacity to supply the wants of man and
satisfy his reasonable desires for accumulation and
the higher enjoyments of both laboring and educa-
ted and more refined men. 1t has been done with
out setting up any claim for her, which DO not be-
lieve to be well founded or any statement in which
do not expect your concurrence. In truth have
said nothing new; and have not sought 50 much
to mpar information to excite reflection on what
you already know for we take no note of things
that we see every day; and it is a more common
fault not to make proper use of knowledge than
1t is not to possess it to fail in duty not because
we are Ignorant of it, but because we are Indifferent
to 1t My purpose has been to present to you, with
much plainness Of speech, things that none can
deny, and are fully known among us. You know
that all these things are true. If they be- let them
make their impress on our minds and hearts, that
we may be duly sensible of, and thankful for, the
goodly bounties of health competence, and wealth,
which may be derived from the agriculture and
other occupations of North Carolina
| am quite sensible that have performed most
effectively the task set for myself After the lapse
81 more than thirty years since engaged in public
ought not to have undertaken il, and
regret that did SO, especially as this address has
been hastily prepared under many disadvantages:
oeseeeh your forg iVeness and will make the best
reParatlon now in my power. by promising not to
onend IN the same way again. And as ! have very
nearly arrived at the scrp tural limit of mans life,
hink may, IN conclusion, safely make the pro-
nlse cannot close, however, without asking you
'nee more to cleave to North Carolina Stay in her,
ertiize her, till her. cherish her rising manufactures,
extend her railways, encourage and endow her
schools and colleges, sustain her institutions, devel.
'Pe her resources promote knowledge, virtue, and