Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-01-31
REMARKS OF MR.. CUNNINGHAM,
OF PERSON,
n the Dan Riuer and Yadkin Rail Road, Z" t


On the Dan RiUer and lGdGtn Rd1t ho00, q" INC
Senate Jcnuary l9, 1855. :.
Mr. SPEAKER: It is now common TOR all parts Oh
the State to re asking its aid In favor OF some pro
iecA at interna al improvement. And, SIR reel en-
boMened by this example well rs by the intrinsic
merits of the plan before US, to ask also LOT inc
assistance of the common parent OF all. ,
If large sums are to be voted away on ha'lroaus'
and rivers and ship canals, all parts OF the oe'tc
have a right to claim an interest In these aPfroprl
atfons All help to pay the taxes and to sustain ,ne
burdens of Government and all are equally entlte"
to it's benefits. am not, sir, the father o. ofis'
tor of these large expenditures by the otaIe' vi
works of improvement. The policy was begun De
fore nv day, when the Raleigh and GaSton anu "
mington Roads built, and 1t Is stih cohthueo'
would not have advised it, but we are IN LOT IL ,o",
and | claim for my section its just snare anu no
more Look sir, at the country to he traVefSeu ny
the proposed road and look at the country over
which passes every improvement IN when the o'"'e
has assisted and tell if there is one single re-
commentator of those other plans that aoes ho'
apply in equal or greater force to the route IN qoes
ton? Do they give an excuse that they nave no
convenient marketp Such is a reason, great rea
son for Railroad through PERSON. and CasWeii, ana
Rockingham and Stokes Where is their market! !
What advantages have they in these respects over
Wake and Chatham, and Orange, and Guiltord! 10
they allege that they rich in agricultural reSor
ces and good population' Where IN al! norm "a
rolina are better, enterprslny ana puoc SPIT
tied people than those in the Counties al"ded 10 :
What four Counties in the State possess greater aS
ricutural resources, or even as great' sir we arc
q mote It people in my region. We have asked niue
of the State and have therefore, not had to ooas
here of our merits But look for yourself, look ae
the census Statistics look at the country Inc nhes
tobacco in the United States is made IN Person, ana
what Counties make more and better tobacco or OK
mort more in the leaf and manufactured than Stokes
Rockingham, Caswell and Person What Counues
have better soils for corn, wheat, ana all inc Quiet
agricultural products of the upper regionsE
If minerals be object for the building OF roau,
then the claims Of this region equal to those OF
any in North Carolina. And can say, 1t seems 10
be the opinion of Dr. Mitchell, of Chapel Hill, that
the best copper mine in North Carolina IS found IN
Person, the line of this very road Inc ore IS
the best according tie him, yet found in our State;
and here ht thinks copper could be sncltea from ''c
to the greatest advantage. But on the upper
Dan we have minerals that arc better than copper.
We have coal and iron in the largest quantities yet
found out of the mountains. Limestone a rare and
important mineral in this State, marble, Serpen-
tine and probably chalk and porcelain clay. Add to
this, that there is some of the finest water power Oh
the upper Dan-that here are the very best mineral
springs in the State, chaybcate, sulphur and even
alum springs; and we have combination OF adj
vantages and resources not found together in any
region of this much favored State. Sir, | do not
overstate of these advantages; ami II Hly deS-
cription of this rich and most desirable country,
seems strange and fncifu to Senators, it only shcWs
how much this fine country has been neglected. ard
how much we have underyalucd lis immense fCSour-
l state sober facts and let any Of my eastern
friends CO. for example and test the mineral springs
of which speak, for themselves. Let them pass
rough roads, and traverse the rich farms,
the beds of COAL and iron and limestone, and mar
BILE. and behold the broad meadows, and the mag
nifcent scenery, and water power the head wat
of the Roanoke, and judge for themselves Here
sir, sleep und;sturbed much of the nndeveloped
wealth and resources of our State. And, sir know
ing this as do and knowing the disadvantages I'M
der which the country lies for want of market,
cannot consent to vote for any more appropriations
to my own neglected. patriotic and deserving section
of the State