Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-12-01


regularity and certainty. Nothing seems to b
wanting to its completion in the course of thre
years but an ample supply Of means. Twenty
two hundred feet of tunnel had been cut int
the Stump House Mountain, (thirty-six hundred
: remaining.) Since that time the middle tunne
has been completed so far as to admit the pas
sage of horse and cart. The masonry a
Twenty-six Mile Greek, Seneca River and else
where, is advancing satisfactorily, and soon th'
cars will he stearning up to the foot of thu
mountain. The change which is going on intht
region through which it passes must be wit
messed to te realized Indeed, it is not sufi
GENTLY realized by the inhabitants Of the vicin-
age generally, but the loss to them would be
most sadly realized should the work, by any
possibility, be stopped. I cannot bring myself
to think of such possibility to work in which
tue pride of the State, as well as the welfare
and inestimable value Of closer and more direct
association with our neighbors of Tennessee,
Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi, is concern
ed. So important do hold this inter. commu-
nicaion to US, that believe it will be the poll
CIV of the State, as soon as the route by the
Rabun Gap is completed and in full operation,
to lend her means, with the skill and energy OF
her engineers, to pushing forward another
route of travel to Eastern Tennessee, by either
the Gre ,nvile or the Spartanburg Road. Bonds
for the last enstalnent of the State subscription
to the Blue Ridge Railroad of 100000, was
signed by me on the 25th October last.
MILITIA SYsTEM-The militia system, though
far from being perfect, and admitting of amend.
ment in certain details, VIC must not be induced
to abandon because Of its interference with the
convenience Of citizen, or the cXaction Of
fines from defauters oblivious of their public
duties 1t has produced in the service Of the
country some OF the best soldiers outside of the
regular army. The days Of 1850, must
never become so remote, nor can, the memory
of gallant ancestry be so forgotten as to per-
init their posterity, the men Of the day, how
ever great the love of ease, to overlook the fact,
that their liberties, as we'll as the public peace,
are in their own keeping, and depend upon their
own vigilance and ability to protect and defend
them At any and all moments the citizen is
liable to be called into the field. How impor-
tant, therefore, that he should not only culti-
vate steady habits Of Temperance and obedience
himself, but also encourage them in others
how important, by assoclating at muster with
the men in his beat, to know who will be rclia-
bic in the time of trial, upon whom h6 may de-
pend for the confident touch of the elbow when
facing danger, or in combat. This bond Of coll
fidence is soon formed among the members of
the volunteer company; the same may be real
lied by person who has done his regular tour
of duty in the beat company; upon the man,
whose study is how to avoid duty, all reasoning
will be lost.
Patrol duty is too generally Qyerlooksd. -I9.
was gratified to find the officers generally with
whom communicated, intelligent and intent to
know their duty, as well as willing and Justly
proud to discharge it, TO their number, the
graduating classes of the Citadel Academy an
nualy add officers already Instructed anti trained.
Among the Generals, Of Division and Brigade,
recognized proper estimate of their position,
together with knowledge of and attention to
business, which cannot fail to give increased
confidence IN tho usefulness and value OF the
system. The late Drigader General Percier
r. Smith, of the United States Army, one of
the most efficient and intelligent officers in the
service, was appointed from the militia OF his
State, lie it was who planned the battle OF
Contreras, the first which was fought i'll the
Valley of Mexico-thc critical event upon which
depended the fortunes Of the American Flag,
and the fate Of the army. Nothing could have
been more boldly designed, or more skiIltully
executed, than this brilliant blow dealt so etiec-
lively upon the enemy at the break of day.
The State Agricultural Society is dispensing
much information and encouragement amongst
farmers, whose domestic habits are not favora=
BILE to aggregation, and who, therefore, are al
ways benefited by the stimulus Of agricultural
exhibitions. District societies have been organ
izod, and Fairs held at many places, in prepara-
tion for the great annual meeting OF the State
Society The Fair just closed exhibited stock
of all kinds, implements of husbandry, fruits
and grain Of superior order; besides Tery nu-
merous specimens of ingenious handiwork, many
of which are but recently developed. The as
senblage Of substantial population was very
great, among whom premiums were distributed
to large amount. The Executive Committee
will publish, in the course of the winter vol
une of proceedings, in which will be found
programme of the agricultural schools in France.
FINANCE AND .BANxs-The report Of the
Comptroller General will explain the condition
of the finances. The permanent debt OF the
State, including one million tifty-one thousand
four hundred and twenty-five 09-lOO dollars
($l ,O5l ,422 09-l00) United States surplus reve-
i,ue on deposit, amounts to four million four
hundred and fopty-fpnr thousand one hundred
and sixty five 05 100 dollars lG5 -lOO)
three-fourths OF which sum is invested in rail-
ways and in the erection of the New State
CAPITOL. The sinking fund now amounts to
Sl ,S43, ,SO3 37-l00, which, in my opinion, should
be invested in State stocks or bonds. Of the
stock signed under the Act Of 1856 by the Gov
eraor and the Comptroller General, fQr building
the New State Capitol, ninety-two certtlcaqtes
have been issued, equal to two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars ($250, ,000.) tue remain.
der have been cancelled and left in tho hands Of
the Treasurer of the Lower Division. Of the
stock authorized by the Act of 1857, forty-sx
certificates have been issued, equal to three
hundred thousand dollars, (S300,000,) the re-
mainder have been cancelled and left in the
hands of the Treasurer of the Lower Division.
The material structure itself is advancing with
sure and reasonable progress, SO Us to exhibit
the fine proportions Of thp basement storyr +he
public archives haye not been emored, however,
the order for their removal not haying been
made by tho two Houses: ! beg leave to Feler
TO the Quyernor,S Message Ao, b. Ut last year,
touching this subject. Qn the books lt the
Branch Bank of the State at Columbia, there is
a balance of 81 $4,000 at credit Of the fund tur
the relief of the widows and orphans Of the
Palmetto Regiment, which think may well be
intrusted for disbursement to the discretion o
tho Palmetto Association. As to the banks
trusting to tbs experience and superior wisdom
of members, will not occupy you with any
suggestions Of my own, farther than to ask fol
tue repeal of tue usury laws, and to recommend
stability and as little legislation rs possible
would willingly diminish thp number of banks