Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-05-04
n,,n meeting Last Night.


Last evening meeting OF cl1lzenS la'oi"ole ~ ''0
construction of the Wilmington Cnarlol'e anu nun"
ostord was held in front of the Market House.
When we arrived on the ground George DAVIS Esq''
"a. bot closing an earnest exhortation to his fell
Iovcitizens to come forward to the work in spirit
worthy of the occasion. H. L. Holmes, Esq, was
the next speaker called upon and ne responded In an
address of some length. Turning 10 the history OF
the past as source from which to draw inspiration
for the conduct of the future he pictured Whining
ton as it had been and as it isshowed that the
publc.spirted efforts of the citizens OF Wilmington
hadwrought this great change. Said that renamed
with the Wilmington people themselves 10 say Wheh-
er their town. in the future should exhibit great
an advance on what it now is, as its present position
does over that which it occupied prior to the con-
structon of its two existing railroads, whether
should retregrade, for, the struggle of lfe
all like persons swimming up stream; if we once
stop padding, down we 60 with the current
Mr. Holmes enforced upon his audience the great ad-
vantages to be derived from the construction OF the
proposed Road and the necessity OF building 1t, and
begged them to lay aside every opposing feeling or
local or political animosty, and 60 for this great
work as one man.
Hon. w. S. Ashe being called upon, made short
but pointed speech, in which he remarked that this
project new love of his, but had long occupied
his mind, and that its accomplishment had been the
object of his most earnest desires. 1t was essentially
the road that we wanted, and although he had
heard people talk against it, they had always been
South Carolinians, who felt that it would strike a
death blow at their control of North Carolina trade
and NJ Carolina interests AS old Cato showed his ear
nesness upon certain subject by concluding every
harangue with the declaration that &C Carthage must
be destroyed" so would he conclude by declaring
emphaticaly that &" this road must be built"
Mr.. Davis called upon General Alexander McRae
for some practical facts and suggestions illustrative
of the subject under consideration. Those the Gener-
al proceeded TO give remarking that he would not
attempt to make speech, but simply to set forth
some of the reasons he had for believing that the
projected Railroad would be paying one basing his
calculations upon the local travel and freighting
business of the Wilmington & Weldon Road, work
which has to compete for freight with the North
East River which carries large amount of the pro-
duce of Duplin County that would otherwise pass
over the Road, and also with the Neuse and Tar
Rivers, which take off large quantities of produce to
Newbeme and Washington. The Western Road
would go through much more productive tier OF
counties, the produce Of which was all bound to
come over it, and it certain that It's business
would be much larger than that of the Road to
which he referred and which he used basis Of
calculation, but assuming at the same IN pro-
portion to population he showed that it was bound
to pey seven per cent. upon three Millions and
he felt confident that the of its construction
to Rutherford need not and would not exceed that
amount The population of the counties on the line
of the Wilmington & Weldon Road was, we think he
said, about seventy eight thousand that of the coun
ties to be traversed by the Road near twice as
great. He was willing 10 risk any reputation for
Judgment that he might have acquired in almost a
lifetime connection with Railroads, upon the asser-
ton that this would be paying road. He thought
every man in the community ought to come forward,
and forget hard times for while, and, after ind-
Vduals had done their very BEST then the town. IN its
corporate capacity, ought to do the balance of what
might be wanting.
Col John McRae, Mayor of the town, in answer
TO a call upon him. made some very sensible remarks
in advocacy of the work 1t was not for him TO adj
wise or instruct the people They were to instruct
him. The question OF subscription by the town
would come up for their decision, in accordance with
law, and he begged them to reflect upon it with due
regard 10 lis importance anu Ihe magnitude ol INC III
terests involved.
John A. Taylor, Esq, followed, warmly urging
the great Importance of the work and the duty
which Wilmington owed to herself to come forward
in manner worthy of the occasion. George R
French Esq, also offered some remarks bearing upor
the same subject.
We have been content to give slight shadowine
forth of the spirit of the remarks made without offer
ing any of our own at present. We will, however
reour to the subject at fitting tme-DaIy Journa
Of yesterday.