Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-24
SPEECH OF COL. NJ J. McDUFFIE,
OF CUMBERLAND.

Commons january 22nd, pending the discussion
upon The EGsteTR extension Of the ~. G. Railroad.
Mr.. SPEAKER: Were I to let this subject pass with
out full exposition of the position which occupy,
I feel that woald not only be doing injustice to
myself and constituentsrbut to the Democratic par
ty. II mistake not the Eastern and Western ex-
tensions were incorporated in, and become parts
both Of the Wing and democratic platforms.
therefore GENE here pledged to support them. L
shall vote for the Eastern extension, because 1t
terminates at of the best harbors on the Attain
tic coast and the very best south of Norfolk shall
vote for it, because it SnstainS such relation to
schemes of improvement already in pr of COM
pleton rs to render it absolutely Indispensable to
the ultimate of North Carolina enterprise.
But, sir, it's extension from Goldsborough is by no
means a highly favored project with me, and were |
to vote for it in its present condition, clogged as 1t
is with many Objectionable features, feel conf
dent that would abuse the trust reposed in me by
those whom represent
1t is very clear to my mind that all roads should
be located and directed to advance either the
commercial, agricultural or mechanical prosperity.
Of the State-that there should be such mutual
dependence, upon the other, in this general sys
tenn Of improvement as to harmonic and be I'd the
various lucrative pursuits of the State. In refer
to these matters the contrary, we have been
extremely unfortunate The so-called Central or
North Carolina Road is one of no inconsderablc inl-
portance in itself; but never can increase the COM
Incrcial prosperity of the State. It's connection
with the Columbia Road will be the means of a con-
slant and steady drain of produce from North to
generally be feeder to of the Virginia
markets. The Raleigh and CASTOR Road depetes
State of its most valuable naval stores-bearing
off the richest of our productions to foreign mar
kets while the northern end of the Wilmington and
Weldon Road subserves the very same purposes. So
our whole system of improvement, it has been
located, is detrimental to commercial prosperity
and may eventually subject us to great inconvenl-
in the projection of future enterprises Out of
all the Roads hich have been built, not one has
been constructed with view to bringing produce
to us, save the Wilmington and Manchester, which
] am proud to say, is daily pouring into the lap of
enterprsing Wilmington much of the rich and
abundant produce Of South Carolina.
The design of former legislation to have
been to carry off, not to bring produce to This
would be very commendahe and indeed very pro-
per view to take of the subject if we have depnred
of the building up of North Carolina. But, sir,
still boast # mineral and agricultural wealth. of
our bold and gigantic rivers of Of the best har-
bors South in fact of all the advantages of our sis
ter States. And why, ask, do we not seize the
opportunity now and consummate the glory of
good old State? Other States of less importance
have their ships pyiI to almost every port, their
canvass whitening almost every sea. their CONNER
cal Importance acknowledged both at home and
abroad; and how it would thrill the very soul of
North Carolinan to see in some distant port beau
tiful and buoyant vessel inscribed upon her hull,
NORTH CAROLINA!
Now, sir, if it is the intention Of this Legislature
to carry out all the projects asked for at the present
session, have no objection to this extension from
Goldsborough; but if, on the other hand, it is the
intention to carry out the Eastern and Western eX
tensions only, as have heard reiterated over and
over in this Hall, then shall support this eastern
extension from no other point than Warsaw in the
County of Duplin. 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 Rail-
road to complete it between the termini before the
state would enter largely into other schemes. This
IN h0
prudent, to say the least to wait and if the
cessty OF Its proiongation from Goldsboro' would
arise II such an amount Of produce is brought to
this point as to create the necessity of extending it
to Beaufort, it will force sefin that direction-t
Will De utterly impossible to prevent it. But if such
qnantlty only accnmuates at that point as can
readily hnd Its exit through Wilmington and other
ports, as verify believe will be the case, then there
Is no necessity for this extension and by no ideal
ism or conventionalism can you make it desirable
either to the State individuals. The country
through winch it is designed TO pass not sufficient
ly productive either of agriculture naval stores
to iurnlsh constant supply for its operations;
ana II was, the Neuse River is in such close prox-
imty 10 the proposed route, and water transporta-
ton being much the cheaper, I imagine the Road
would share hut little ofhe patronage ofthe country
L would advocate its extension from Warsaw, in
the next place. because it is there brought in
nection with line of road communicating with the
richest and most nexhauStahe treasure of the State,
and running through section Of country literally
starving for the want of works of internal improve
ment. There is hill now pending before this House
to construct road from Fayetteville to Beaufort via
Warsaw, distance Of one hundred and twenty
miles, which absolutely proposes to build the road
between those points forS two hundred and fifty
thousand dollars less than is asked to build the road
from Goldsborough to Beaufort distance of ninety
five miles There is hill in the other end of this
capitol proposing road from Fayetteville to Green's
borough via the coal fields. which, connected with
the Fayetteville and Beaufort makes in all distance
of two hundred miles, for the building of which we
ask only five hundred thousand dollars more than
is asked from Goldsborough to Beaufort. BY ex-
commodate more interests run through richer and
greater extent of country, and construct it for
third less than is asked for the other route.
But sir, besides all this, by the construction of
this line of road, YOU invite that rich and very de-
sirable trade which is locked within the noun
tains of the west to three markets instead of one
Fayetteville, Wilmington and Beaufort You deposit
coal in three places instead of one and satisfy
ton of country and class of people whose wants
to those of other portion of the State
You furnish reefto those towns which are and ever
have been destined to he your commercial depots,
whose past histories point to their present greatness
and show with what fortitude they have ATithstood
the encroachments of time and the throes of pecu-
MARY deprivations. Fayetteville presume whole
sales more than every other town in North Carolina
BESIDES sir it is the most exter sve manufacturing
town in the State. We have Lowell in North Ca.
rolina shut up it wee in Cimmerian darkness of
whose operations we IRE ignorant for want of means
to communicate with each o.her Fayetteville, as
paradoxcal it may seem, is daily spinning and
weaving for Northern markets and all we ask for
now Is to give us outlet to the west we NAV
be able to spin and weave for North Carolina. We
L.