Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-28

tue ulaJeSuC MSSlSSlppl, rising IN Jne <1ce-OOunQ
zone of latitude which hardly reaxes the severity
of polar winter flowing thence straight towards the
South, along valley of unsurpassed beauty and
fertility, for than tho isand miles, until his
waters mingled with the waves where the orange
bloom marks the reign of almost eternal summer,
afording broad road, capable of being made
highway for worlds trade. Here, if any where,
is mighty channel made by nature for>the trade of
this great valley, unobstructed, always free and
open, unlimited in capacity, cheap, safe ; what
more could be required for natural channel? Yet
the iron highway stretches forth its arms TO en-
brace from the East this beautiful region in the dis
tant West, and leaving the very banks of this great
cutie: of nature, the rich productions pour along
the rail, the channel made by mans enterprise
against nature, across rivers and over lakes, ana
through mountain barriers pierced by labor and
skill, to be thrown into the marts Of commerce rest
ing upon the shores of the North Atlantic LOOK
at Virginia, reaching from the East to grasp and
bear down to her tidewaters the riches OF Ienncs-
and Kentucky, across a mountatn range-at
South Carolina extending her arms from the South
across our mountains and territory to the same
prize-at Georgia directing her iron highway north
ward for foreign trade-at Mobile laying down her
rail along the valley of fine river and parallel to
the of the great Mississippi, TO take on from
his deep waters the trade left by the roads OF the
North-at New Orleans reaching up from the very
outlet of this inla I'd sea, to take down through
straight line of road, the cotton heretofore carried
to her by the steamboat of the river and returning
to the eastward at New York placing line Of rail
upon the banks of the Hudson, and at Boston drec-
ting energy and capital successfully to share by
direct connection with Central New York, and IN
competition with the metropolis olthe Western world,
in the outpOuriEg trade Of the Lakesat enterprise
and energy everywhere competing for the CONNER
cal prizes, all successfully, for there is enough for
all and to be told that nature, notwth-
standing her lavish gifts of whatever Is desirable,
has decreed North Carolina alone to be tributary
territory-a provincial vasSa in trade to her neigh
bors, who always her like vaSsal-becausc
tnid counSes and Iaggard action have i'll ali the
gloomy time past hndered her progress?
What have gained by this policy of inaction?
Let the statistics anSEcrwc stand recorded
as having gone more rapidly barkw ards in the de-
caGeS of decreasing ratio of population more SLOW
ly forwards in those Of increasing ratio, than any
other Southern State. For this distinction. the
Of u prudent and safe policy justly !
deserve the honor. One which it is probable few
will be found to dispute with them-iew now-few- !
er hereafter.
Your Committee have had under consideration /
bills for these important enterprises and have
to the Senate that they be passed +
The Atlantic and Eastern Railroad, the W cStcrn ;
North Carolina Railroad the FAYETTEVILLE and Greens
bore Railroad and the Dan River Railroad, besides !
other schemes Of much sectional interest and value,
but less expensive in construction: upon the most !
Of which somewhat detailed reports were made. |
The first b!i! for road to Beaufort via Newborn,
was considered TO be one of great Importance, as
proposing to open q means OF communication with |
a harbor and seaport second to other on the |
Atlantic coast south Of Norfolk and this harbor,
pfoVIed ana located by nature, 10 make
great seaport, lying upon ;he highway of nations,
which passes by shores, has been up to this time
wholly neglected.
But another reason in favor of the scheme is, that |
It must have the effect to infuse life into |
ancient and once important commercial point, the |
Did borough town of Newbern, in former years |
shipping port of consequence; if this alone the !
object of the BILL it would be entitled to favor; when,
how ever, it is proposed to make two markets !
20 open two important points to the trade of the in
trior, there scarcely be doubt of its expe- |
iiency, and its most judicious policy.
The next bill, that for the Western North Caro- !
ina Railroad, has been associated in the publ view,
md i'll all discussions throughout the State with the
measure just referred to, and may justly claim
'deration not only a work Of Importance, not !
only as great scheme to open onehalf of the whole
State hitherto locked up by natural BARRIERS and to
BRING forth the abundant productions by easy /
means of egrcss; but an iron bond to unite inds
olubly East and West hitherto aliens and strangers
% each other. and to make North Carolina, by a /
lnion of interest," what she never has BEEN peo-
Die in feeling and sympathy and. as measure of |
ustice to the region whose men have always stood !
lere in the halls of the Assembly, ready to grant,
With free hand whatever WIS asked of State aid, .
~ their brothers of other rectons for improvements
hat could by possibility profit them.
The bill for the Fayetteville and Greensboro Rail
'oad your Committee regarded justly claiming to ,
De State work of much Importance, one means !
% dcreope an interest the coal region of Chatham,
he value of which is not now, and hardly be !
With fully estimated, except by comparison with ;
'thcr States; and in looking to Pennsylvania, Mary
and, and Virginia, we find that expenditures ofOver /
100, 1000 have been made to open regions. !
more valuable, and to connect them with tdcwater;
expenditures both by State and corporations for
ailroads and canals, all profitable 1t was consid- |
red also, that TINS connection with other parts of .
he State emmently due to Fayetteville,
and manufacturing town Of such con-
sequence hold nconsiderable claim the /
ust bcrality of the Legislature, cut off she has
,een from the means of her past prosperity, by the
Improvement made all around her through State aid,
md to which her representatives. have most gcner-
'usly and magnanmously given their support, rely
ng upon liberal and Just return.
The Dan River Railroad was considered to be of
he character the last named. 1t proposed
o open section of the State which can by other
Improvement be benefited one remote from all
'thers, except at few points, not surpassed in
he abundance and value of its productions; and its
fleets would be to throw upon a North Carolina
Dad not only the productions of country,
Tirginia road, but also to draw the trade of the
order counties of that State that road; and to
penetrate another coal bed of the Dan River Valley
which has outlet
Your committee have believed that this whole
question has been absolutely passed upon by direct
erdict from the people of North Carolina, higher
matter of history that the last summer heard it's
discussion ringing from the seashore to the mountains.
t was brought forward by the representatives of
10Th parties in convention assembled: it
ounced bV the standard bearers of both parties in
very county, fixed resolve, concurred in by
9th. Is it a question whether these convention
;cre authorized pledge their parties? To say that