The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-12-21
For the Western Democrat. ~
NO PARTIAL LEGISLATION

Mr. ED1ToR: Unwilling as l am to engage in
newspaper controversies, and deslrous, as nave
ever been to keep aloof from the many vexed
questions that of late to have engaged the
public mind of our State; nevertheless, 1t is the
duty of all who have at heart the interests of our
good old commonwealth to contribute, though
small it may be, their mite to the common fund of
public veal In noticing the objections that have
been urged by the opponents Of the Danvllle con-
necton scheme have soug hit in vain for reasons
to sustain the position they have assumed. Clam
orous as they have been about the interests of the
State, they are those who have contributed most
largely to the permanent injury OF those Interests
and the derogaton of her credit They have as
sumcd and exercised the right of building Railways
where they pleased, and when they pleased. They
have taxed the people and used millions of the
States money for these purposes; and now, when
asked without aid from the State in any way
whasoever) for simply charter to construct a
Road that must regain for the State all that she
has lost by the building of roads west of us, We
met with the reply-stae as it has grown
that it will be INJURIOUS to the Interests OF the State
in other roads Now this is a problem that as a
North Carolinian I would be more than glad to see
demonstrated. And which, if among the actse
men of the east there can none be found who can
do it, Gas yet there has not been,) | must still be
permitted to hold the opinion that have ever
held in regard to this matter, that it will not only
not njurc those interests but on the contrary, will
have the effect to contribute more largely to the
development of her resources and the increase of
her revenues, than any scheme Of internal improve
ment that has ever been projected within the linn
its Of the State. 1t is said by the opponents of
the Danville connection that if chatter is grant
ed, all that portion of the North Carolina Road
east of Greensboro or the point of intersection,
will be rendered worthless. TO this | would re-
ply, that the entire road in its present condition
is not only worthless but dead expense to the
State Of at least Sl8OO0O annually Now, if by
the building of the Danville connection the State
can realize from that portion of the Road west of
the point of intersection sufficient revenues to pay
off the interest her road debt, ask if it is not
the duty of the Legislature to grant this Charter,
secure these revenues and relieve the people of
this unnecessary, unjus and onerous burden of
taxation But with an assurance, disgraceful to
common intelligence and common justice, We are
asked what is to become of the splendid CONNER
cial Cities that to be built up in the eastern
part of the State, when the Danville road is COM
pleted. What business is this of ours, or of the
State? If those whose interests and whose duty
it is to developc the advantages Of their CONNER
cial position have not the energy, the industry,
and the capital to do it, is the State to be called
upon to discriminate between sections, to force
trade and travel through unnatural channels, and
compel the people Of the west by an unjust and
unheard-of species of taxation to build up a GER
tain seaport town which has ever been arrayed in
the most bitter hostility against nearly every
that does not inure to it's own benefit. This
surely cannot be equal legislation ? This cannot
be administering the Constitution according to it's
spirit and the intent of its trainers. And if all
legislation is to be rendered subservent to the i'll
terests of one two particular localities, it is high
time l think that other sections, and the West par
tcularly, should be looking to their interests, and
prepare to sever, now and henceforth, the bonds
which have long bound them in vassalage to
such ungratcfu usurpers. JUSTICE.