Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-12-03

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Tie CoalsFieids of North-carolina-t their val-
ne, and the imp6ftSnco Of settins Coal to
Market.
Undeveloped wealth is, practically, no wealth at
all. It looks well in the reports and newspapers,
this talk about the inexhaustble dcposites Of coal,
and iron ore, and lime, and the like, with which
North-Carona has been favored by beneficent
Providence but the main point is to bring out these
varied and valuable resources How shall it be done?
Time, patience, labor, and internal improvements
will do it. We must continue to learn to rely more
upon ourselves, and less upon the non-slaveholdng
and upon foreign States. We have here, in North
Carolina, the best coal in the world and in vast guam
tities-not merely in one locality, but in various
parts of the State. We have the iron ore, extend
ing from Johnston throughout all the midland and
Western counties, and that too of the very best
kind
The farmers, mechanics, and Railroads of the
State are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars
per annum for iron and coal, which might be pro-
duced and obtained at home in the greatest abund-
ance A friend of ours-a practical and intelligent
mechanic-informed us day or two since that he
preparing statistics of the cost of iron and ma
chnery purchased by two of our Railroads from the
time they constructed to the present and that
the amount-an absolute loss to the State, and un-
der the circumstances, unavoidab!y so-was strl-
kingly large. Suppose, for example, our people
were turning out from their own FORCES one-half of
the iron which they used; and suppose our coal
fields wheresoever situated, having been approached
were sending forward to the markets of the world
only one-half the quantity which is mined and dis
posed fby the State of Pennsylvania, schat marked
change in currency, our finances, and IN our
State stocAs % ould at once be produced. All wealth
comes from the earth. 1t cannot be created by
Banks, or by paper emissions. Labor is the great
law, as it is the great blessing; and labor produces
wealth from the surface and the interior parts of
this planet 1t may come in the shape of cotton, or
the cereals, sugar. or hemp, or coal, or iron or
lime or copper, and the like-all of which command
gold and silver, which in themselves property.
This property men change and distribute, promoting
other labor. resulting in comfort, intelligence, Gle.
gance, refinement and ornament. These arc self
evident propositons-but what of them? Why,
this we of North Carolina have become essential
ly paper money people, because other peoples have
been, and are, our factors and agents to dispose Of
our products for us. Instead of demanding and
or its equivalent, sound and valuable exchange, We
have been reduced to the necessity of taking the pa
per of neighboring States, our factors standing in
our shoes and rcaping the advantage for their States
of the precious metals and Of exchange. What then
What is the remedy, and who is to apply it? 1t is
not for US to say. Let those who legslate for the
people-and we say it with all respect and defer.
cnce-seriously consider these things and apply the
remedy States live always. The life of man is
but a span in their existence. AS we said i'll the
outset, time, patience, labor and internal improve
ments will do the work.
The difficulty in procuring exchange with which
to meet the interest our State bonds in New York
is already seriously felt As soon as our coal mines
shall be fully opened, and as they shall send
forward their rich supplies in such quantities may
be reasonably expected. this difficulty will vanish
Exchange will then be easy of procurement and the
public credit will be strengthened, while the State
bonds will advance in value. There can be no doub
about this.
Whatever the condition OF the State may be Al
this time, the future is by no means uninvtirg-
There is much animate and encourage us. Lee
us hope and labor, and be true to ourselves. Hav
ing put our hands to the plough, let not lock
back. We have great common inheritance, which
it is our duty to improve and adorn. Let US per
form this duty prudently, earnestly, unfagginsly
maintaining our State credit at the same time VI
would the apple of the eye. five make nj
great step forwa I'd just now, let to it that WI
do not lose the position we have already reached.