The North-Carolinian., 1855-03-03


If Commons January 22md, pending the DIS
eussiom upon the Eastern extcnsiom Of Tie " T..
Railroad
Mr. SPEAKER: Were I to let this subject
pass without full exposition of the position
which l occupy, l feel that l would not only
he doing injustice to myself and constituents
but to the democratic party. If mistake not
corporated in, and become parts both of the
whig and democratic platforms. l therefore
came here pledged to support them. 1 shall
vote for the Eastern extension, because it ter
inmates at one of the best harbors on the At
antic coast, and the very best south of Nor
fefk. shall vote for it, because it sustains
snch relation to schemes Of Improvement al
ready in progress of completion to render it
absolutely indispensable to the ultimate success
of North Carolina enterprise.
But, sir, its extension from GOldsboro' is by
no means highly favored project with me, and
were | to vote for it in its present condition,
clogged as it is with so many Objectionable
features, l feel confident that would abuse
the trust reposed in me by those whom l repre-
sent.
1t is very clear to my mind that all roads
should be so located and directed to advance
either the commercial agricultural or mechani-
cal prosperity of the State-that there should
be such a mutual dependence, one upon the
other, in this general system of improvement
to harmonize and blend the various lucrative
pursuits of the State. In reference to these
matters, Oh the contrary, We have been ex-
tremely unfortunate The so-caled Central or
North Carolina Road is one of no nconsidcra-
blc Importance in itself; but never increase
the commercial prosperity of the State. Its
connection with the Columbia Road will he the
means of a constant and steady drain of pro-
duce from North to South Carolina; while its
eastern terminus will most generally be feed
IL.
Raleigh and CASTOR Road depletes our State
of its most valuable naval storcs-bearing off
the richest of our productions to forei gn mar
kcts, while the northern end of the Wilmington
and Weldon Road subserves the very same
So whole system of improve
mcut, as it has been located, is detrimental to
our commercial prosperity and may eventually
subject us to great Inconvenience i'll the projec
ton of future enterprises. Out of all the Roads
which have been built not one has been con-
structed with view to bringing produce to US,
save the Wilmington and Manchester, which l
am proud to say, is daily pouring into the lap
of enterprisiny Wilmington much of the rich
and abundant produce of South Carolina.
The design of former legislation seems to
have been to carry off, not to bring produce to
us. This would be very commcnlable and in
deed Il very proper view to take of the subject
if have despaired of the building up of
North Carolina. But sir, we still boast Of our
mineral and agricultural wealth, of our bold
and gigantic rivers, of one of the best larbors
South; in fact, of all the advantages of our
sister States And why, l ask, do not
seize the opportunity row and conSummatc the
glory of our good old State! Other States of
less Importance have their ships plying to al
most every port, their canvass whitening almost
every sea. their commercial Importance ac
knowledge both at home and abroad; and how
it would thrill the very soul Of North Caroln
ian to see in some distant port beautiful and
buoyant vessel inscribed upon her hull, NORTH
CAROLINA
Now, sir, if it is the intention of this Legis-
laturc to carry out all the projects asked for at
the present session, l have no objection to this
extension from G oldsboro'; but it, on the other
hand, it is the intention to carry out the East
ern and Western extensions only, as have
heard reiterated over and in this Hall
then | shall support this eastern extension
from no other point than Warsaw in the coun
ty of Dnplin. And, sir, my reasons must very
readily suggest themselves to every one who
has given the subject the slightest consideration
In the first place it was doubtless the intention
of the original projectors of the North Carolina
to complete it between the termn
before the State would enter largely into other
schemes. This road being yet untried ex
it would be prudent, to say the least
to wait and see if the necessity of its proOnga-
amount of produce is brought to this point as
to create the necessity of extending it to Beau
fort, it will force itself in that direction-it
will be utterly impossible to prevent it. But
if such quantity only accumulates at that
point as can readily find its exit through Viii
mington and other ports, as l verify believe
will be the case, then there is necessity for
this extension, and by no itealism conren-
tonalsm can you make it desirable either to
the State or Individuals The country through
which it is designed to pass is not sufficiently
productive either of agriculture or naval stores
to furnish a constant supply for its operations;
and if it was, the Neuse River is in such close
proximity to the proposed route, and water
being much the cheaper, ! i'm
ayine the Road would share but little of the
patronage of the country.
l would advocate its extension from Warsaw
in the next place, because it is there brought
in connection with line of road communica-
ting with the richest and most inexhaustabie
treasure of the State and running through a
section of country literally starving for the
want of works of internal Improvement. There
is bill now pending before this House to con-
struct road from Fayetteville to Beaufort via
Warsaw, a distance of one hundred and twenty
miles, which absolutely proposes to build the
road between those points for two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars less than is asked to
build the road from Goldsboro' to Beaufort, a
distance of ninety-fve miles. There is q bill in
the other end of this capitol proposing road
from Fayetteville to Greensboro via the coal