Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-17
. SPEECH OF THOMAS j. M0RISEY,
OF ROBSON.

OF robson.
I On the Wilmington and Charlotte Railroad
f Mr. SPEAKER:-I hope the Senate will indulge
me for short time whilst speak my senti-
mens upon this bill before this House, and the hon.
est convictions Of those whom have the honor, in
part, to represent upon this floor. And, though,
humble and inexperienced Will be my efforts yet,
sir the subject is of great and vital Importance
to North Carolina, and my immediate constituents.
Surrounded as | am with gentlemen of talent, legs-
latve experience, and heightened patriotism, would
shrink from the task OF addressing such body, ana
not the happiness, the weliare-l might almost say
the political salvaton-of my constituents demand
this effort at my hands And sir where interest and
duty demand my ability and excrtion, would be
recreant to my sacred trust, were ] to hesitate or
waver in the discharge OF those duties incumbent
upon l claim but little Legislative experience
and have not the vanity to Imagine that can in
form this Senate upon It's dItics or its responsible
ties. l claim but an humble position IN talent and
experience; but: sir, | stand second Ia no one in
pride of my native State ana patriotic desire to
improve her physical, mental, and moral condition
| desire to all local prejudices annlhilaed Tor
ever and every portion OF her sol bloom and
blossom the rose" And how can these great
and valuable interests be PROMOTE? Only by pro-
per and judcious State improvements. Individual,
enterprise may and will do mulch to promote the
interest of many of her citiZenS but never can
achieve the welfare of all
| shall not weary the patience of the Senate by
entering upon catalogue OF the many improve
l
opposed to no Improvement, the results OF which
will be beneficial to North Carolina. | am sorry we
have so few whose results calculated to elevate
the State, and properly unite the West with the
East. This union, Mr.. Speaker, should long since
have been made, and must yet be made, 1t our State
would ever be what she will become,-with all her
Western resources properly developed.-The Rail-
road which desire buiid in my section Of the
State We honestly believe State work of great i'm
portance. My friend from Arson has thorough
ly and eloquently proclaimed the details of this
road, that will endeaver not to repeat what he has
wisely and SO justly said. BY reference to the
map, it will be seen, that section of the State,
nature has afforded very few convenences for
portation, and legislation none. No river, upon
whose waters send off our products to mar
ket-no Railroad tacilities-no pankroadS, and no
market within own State conveniently near.
This sir, is the sad and lamcntabe condition of
section of the State. But, where does all our trade
tend docs it go to the markets OF our own State,
where it properly belongs, and where it ought to
go? No, sir, it goes to South Carolina enliching
her towns, and giving them greater commercial fa-
cilities. And | am sorry to admit that 1t must
continue to go South Carolina, and thus drain
State of many and great advantages, unless we OBJ
tain this charter. The advantages Of such work
are almost ncaculabe In the tlst place, better
regulated Statepride must and will follow beneficial
State improvements, by keeping alive the important
fact that we are trading in our own State, and in
orr commercial townS-rnarging their COM
mercial advantages, and materially adding their
prosperity and hrppinGSs BY THIS means, every
youth learns to properly appreciate his own State,
and her many advantages; and thus his pride OF
State grows with his growth, and strengthens with
his strength" BY this means, advantageous aS>o-
Citations often formed, which lead to lasting
friendships, and sometimes TO great State and COM
mercial benefits
Again: By the construction of this road, the
produce building up the towns of South Car
Dina will be diverted to Wilmington, where it pro-
perly belOngS,-thus enIiching all the country
through which the road paSSeS,-and bearing
tO OIlr Seal
energy of our own citizens, and adding character
and commercial fame to Wiimington-a town
to be remembered for her noble great efforts in the
cause OF internal improvements. And thus by adj
ding to her exports North Carolina products, we
acquire much greater facilities in commerce, and
must necessarily enjoy, in the commercial world
higher distinction and much more enlarged credit
We may thus enable Wilmington to enter largely
into direct trade with Europe, and thus purchase
at home many things cheaply
purchase them in New York. These things will be
a proud contamination of the efforts of every true
son OF North Carolina. Look again at the eXchan-
ges in that section of the country, where We pro-
pose to run this road. We now chartering banks
for the benefit and convenience of people,
In their varied business of life; and the more of our
own notes we use, the more beneficial will be
legislation. But instead of using bank pa
per in the contemplated route of this road, use
South Carolina paper, because obliged to
trade in that State and where trade from ne
cessity, we must take such money constitutes the
exchange of those with whom trade. They give
us less for our produce, very often, and their own
bank bills to carry home with We are now
limiting banks to five dollar issues but when
we sell our produce in South Carolina we return
with small notes,-and thus have for circulation
paper of another State, injurious to our commerce
and our own institutions. This evil will be avoided
by the construction of this road. And sir our leg
islation should always be directed to improve the
welfare and prosperity of our citizens and pre-
vent every drain of our products injurious to us and
deleterious to the interests of State.
These, MIR. Speaker, some of the many advan-
tages to be derived from the completion of this road
We ask this chatter, because think it right and
proper for this Legislature to grant it. We ask it
because this is a road beneficial to US and incac,l-
lably important to North Carolina By its compile
ton, four millions dollars will be added % our com
nercial exports and four millions of dollars of our
own paper be added to our circulation. We ask it
injustice to those who have contributed to the add
of other great improvements, and asked
nothing at the hands Of the State. The representa-
tves from this section Of the State have ever been
generous and liberal in uniting bu Id up the
interest of North Carolina. This road is rival of
no other work eff improvement, and hence will not
Wure them in any considerable degree A few
bales OF cotton or few bushels Of corn may seek