Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-12-03
THE BLUE RIDGE RAILROAD.

It il thought by some that the fate Of this great un
der,akng is to be decided during the present session
Of our Legislature; and the hue and cry in certain
quarters would cause casual observer to conclude
that it is to be demolished at without benefit of
clergy In our own District expression OF opinion
ia. been given, inmica to the further prosecution OF
the enterprise; and have houghtessly concurred
in ta, opinion gospel because it happens TO have
fallen from gentleman Of known fnancierng ability.
Unprepared (us we confess ourrel to be- Tor judging
in she premises with the shsewdnes of menakilled in
sssk operations, We yet conceive the Blue Ridge
Railroad to be thing of sufficient magnitude to escape
instant destruction the least from whatever quarter
tho anathemas of condemnation may be hurled
against IT, 49,
Before The Legislature of South Carolina shall de.
,ermine 10 send it adrft as monstrous absurdity,
there things that deserve to be we'll consid-
cred and imparlialy weighed It is work that
promises Great good not only 10 Charleston but to our
whole State, aud without which we may be utterly
deprived Of all chance Of successful competition ior
the immense trade of our Great Interior. 1t ID
project that aims 10 secure TO US the benefits oi st
trade against alhconngencies, and whose advantages
cannot easily be overcalculated in view Of tbs rapid
strides of our country towards opulence and power
Its cost may be heavy; but it is to be judged OF, pro-
perly by the return it is make not only to the pre-
sent but TO future generations. is to be considered
too That our State has already fairly committed her
self the leading spirit if not the prime mover OF the
enterprize. She has in effect said 10 lie world around
her, that the Blue Ridge Road is her own scheme !;
and her character is implicated in that her pledge has
virtually been passed to Georgia, Tennessee and
North Carolina, thatit shall go TO completion. Not
only States, but TO corporations and individuals,
her quasi declaration has been given that this shall
be so. We do not say that these comlnlals are of
that binding character which would not allow her
10 abjurs the partnership at her own loss. But they
are quit. sufficient to make her Legislators pause be-
fore they take such STEP The people, We maintain,
have given no expression Of sentiment adverse to
proper fostering Of The work in question Let not
then the bare fear Of what they possibly may do,
deter any member from manly and Independent
course in ,ls matter. Let the subject be viewed by
the light of wise forecast and not by the imaginary
chickering's of an anticipated public fury. We are
the tribunal, it is true, before whom an account of
our Representatives stewardship must at all times be
faithfully given; but we look for sterling indepen.
dsnce Of thought and action 10 characterize that
stewardship. Crnge to our possible displeasnre in
advance, and you have lost already the highest re.
qnise of goud Legislators.
Before, then, this great enterprise is disowned and
forsaken, we warn gentlemen 10 canvass the whole
ground with scrupuous regard propriety as we'll
as expediency. Upon this very question may hang
the future well-being and prosperity of our State.
Although much that is orcible can be said against
fp, IN vat tho nf
probable advantages 10 accrue from this Railroad
may greatly overbaance all those objections. Twen-
ty years hence if this work be suffered rot al this
stage ofits progress, the charge Of narrow ignorance
may be the lighest that will be visited upon the
men who stopped it. Twenty years hence, if this
work be carried out prudenty but energeticay,
the Legislators who stood by and upheld it in its hour
Of need may be cassed among the greatest beneactors
Of their State and Section Without therefore enter
ing into any discussion of the real merits of the ques.
.ion, we caution those who sitting upon it to be.
ware lest they here make decision that shall not
only bring discredis upon their sagacy but rrerieva
bly, retard the onward and upward progress of South
Carolina. 1t is sort Of custom with us Zone too more
honored in tho breach than the observance to plume
ourselves upon our enlightenment and public spirit.
nOt we'll 10 gcueCI noH kileso
Recommendations, when not only all our northern
Atlantic sisters. but Virginia, North Carolina, Geor-
gis, and every other Southern State shall have out
stripped and distanced in the great business Of this
mighty utilitariaE age! Some Of these have already
expended more than twice the estimated cost of
Blue Ridge Road to attain the precise facilities We
arc in quest of; and yet there il no such word as
I" fail" TO be heard in their councils. Are we less
bold less able. less sagacous, less determined than
they Having vsnturod million or Two of dollars
in great scheme shall retreat in dismay because
double that amount rises be fore Us as a necessity
Having cOpmenced the ascent of tho enchanted
Wpuntain for an inessimable treasure. shall we be
induced by false alarms TO look back and be turned
into stone, ID this like "chivary" or suen common
sea@' Is This an illustration ofo "anima opibusqus
panati"