The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-01-11


tablishcd by law, furnishes primary schools IN all
parts of our territory; that, at this day, every
child in the State has the means of education placed
within its reach. Through the benevolent enter
prise of individuals schools and colleges for lnstruc
ton in the higher branches OF learning have been
established in almost every county. The untortu,
nate and the afflicted too have been cared for; and
the Institution for the deaf and dumb and the blind,
and the Asylum for the insane, will prove enduring
monuments of the Christian charity and vlrtuous
wisdom Of your predecessors
Our educational system Is but an index to che
state of religion and morals among our people
We NAV without selfexaltation, turn our thankful
hearts toward the Supreme Being that their growth
has so sgnally prospered in our midst we are
now in the full enjoyment OF the rich fruit OF that
free and universal religious liberation which forms
a distinguishing feature of cur government and,
instead of the Earring of conflicting sects, We have
the harmonious action of all denominations OF Chris
tans in teaching the great truths OF practical reh-
gion, and introducing that moral trimming among
the people, which is an essential preparation to
their exercising properly the functions OF sefSoV-
eminent.
The material progress of the State has been fully
in unison with intellectual and moral improve
ment North Carolina has now within her limits
line of two thousand miles of safe inland navga-
ton adapted to the uses of either steam sailing
vessels which, with six hundred miles of railway,
in actual operation affords convenient market faclll
ties to threefourths of her population spread over
twO-thirds of her territory. Other public enter
prses, embracing in their design the entire State
are now in successful progress And after all the
expenditures from the public treasury, necessary
to the accomplishment of those objects, it is fact
as gratifying it is true, that there exists amongst
US, to-day, more individual and public wealth than
at any former period
TTnon all whom tho poon1n have entrusted with
power devoves the responsibility of fostering and
protecting these the most vital interests of the
State. Happily for the public welfare upon your
selves, with whom is all legislative power, this
burthen principally rests-nowhere can the great
interests of the State be safely reposed as with
the representatives of the people
Whenever Executive action may be proper in
of the State it shall be directed with object sim
gle to the public good, and according to those prn
ciples already announced by me to the people upon
various occasions
indulge entire confidence that any efforts of
mine to add to the efficiency and increase the use
funess of our system of public education will be
sustained by the cordial and unanimous approval Of
our people; so deeply are they impressed with the
benefits we derive from it. Upon this subject
there is but one wish, and one desire.
Upon the subject of internal improvements there
exists diversity of public sentiment; which
fact is we'll calculated to give rise to the expectation
that will make known, upon this occasion, the
views that entertain, relative to further prose-
cutiOn of our public works. 1t is upon questions
where the people are divided in opinion above all
others, that they have reason to expect an unre-
served avowal of the sentiments entertained by the
public servants / shall endeavor to acquit myself
OF this duty with directness and explcitness be-
coming this solemn occasion, and the important
question under consideration.
The views which recently expressed relative to
these enterprises, upon frequent occasions to the
public, were such had been maturely considered
after due reflection upon the wants of the State,
and ability to construct such works as are indis-
pensabe to Development of our natural resources;
and after careful review of them, | have no rea-
now to offer for their modification.
Much as has been done towards the physical de-
velopcment of the State, some of our chief
of wealth have not yet been reached. 1t may ad
nit of doubt whether the iron interest for example,
capable it certainly is of expansion, is in more
fOurishing condition than when the fOundries
of Lincoln forged cannon balls that were employed
in the battles of the revolution; while our meas
ures of mineral coal, leading article in the worlds
commerce have only boen sufficiently explored to
manifest neg elected riches. An agricultural re-
gion, too, of unGoubtcd capacities and embracing
perhaps fourth part of territory, has thus far
made but limited progress, because OF its exclusion
from the markets of the world.
Due reflection upon facts like these, can leave
but little doubt of the policy which true Interests
dictate A great work has been more than half ac
complished--a vast enterprise wisely projected with
a view to a system of own, has, after years Of
toll, and the expenditures of several millions Of
money, been forwarded well nigh to completion,
and the citizens of this generation called upon
to perform their share oft this labor in which is
tered the most cherished hopes of the State, and
for which we will have chief claim upon mil
lions that will come after us, for their gratitude
and thanks.
The stern requirements of progressive civiliza-
ton impel us prosecute steadily enterprises like
these which are but such as have been accomplished
by other enlightened States and at this day re-
garded as essential to the social advancement of a
people Standing, as we do, full in the MONDAY
sun of the civilization of the nineteenth century,
cannot, consistently with the dignity of own
high position abandon works such as have received
the approval of intelligent in all countries, and
which stand forth as the self-evident agents in eff
fecting the most wonderful progress in the moral,
social and political condition of nations that at any
time, marks the history of the world.
And vet, would not counsel an incautious ex-
penditure of the public money, by embarking in
new enterprises "not urgently called for by the
necessities of the public. Indeed, upon the prac-
tice of rigid economy in all appropriations for
public purposes, more than upon any one circum-
stance depends the successful prosecution of works
already commenced.
A careful consideration of the subject confirms