Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-01-27
Published by request.
1.-THE DANVILLE CONNECTION"

The above is the caption Of communication in
the Raleigh Standard Of the 10th, signed I"
North Carolinian' We have alluded to this sub
ject often that should not feel inclined to
occupy our space with the matter it not for
the fact that the writer rather snccrngiy speaks Of
the scheme as the frce-trade Charlotte road" and
assumes positions and draws conclusions not justi-
fed by the facts. We have never said anything or
done anything calculated to create or arouse Sec
tional feeling between the East and West We Ger
tainly entertain no such feeling ourselves-hut we
can't help fron, believing that the author Of the ar
ticle in the Standard belongs to that gerry patriotic
class Of Eastern gentlemen who think it all right
and proper to build railroads from their section to-
wards the Virginia line by which means trade can
be carried to Petersburg Portsmouth and Norfolk,
but who go almost into commissions and choke with
State pride when anything is said in favor Of af.
fording a rich and fertile section Of the West On
outlet for its produce and facilities for travelling
No doubt this same I" North Carolinian' threw up
his hat and beloved himself hoarse in rejoicing at
the connection made by the Raleigh and Castor
Road with the Portsmouth Tiryiaid) Railroad few
years ago. We dislike to question any ones
motives, but strongly incline to the opinion that
his State pride taking the natural channel Of sell
fish human nature) does not extend further than
pocket Deep" In making this remark We intend
no disrcspect to "a North Carolinan," but because
it is we'll known fact that such is the tendency Of
poor, fallen human nature when unchecked by lib
eral feeling.
We shall be as brief as possible, but we want to
notice portions of this writer's remarks. He COM
mences by saying.
"Thc friends and advocates Of the Danville rail-
road connection seem resolved to effect their object
by indirect means if they cannot do it dircctly-and
this too at the expense of the long and well settled
policy of the State and against the interest Of every
section of the Internal Improvement act which pre-
cudes any person or corporation from erecting any
railroad or canal without authority of the Legis-
lature."
Probably "A North Carolinian" can tell us how
this 37th section got into the Revised Code-no one
seems to know. We hesitate not to say that VIC be-
lieve it was Struggled in-that it is unfair and
just and ought to be repealed. But what has been
the long and well settled policy of the Statc".-
The granting of . charter for the Greensboro and
Danville Road would not conflict with the policy Of
the State, although it might conflict with the policy
of some individuals and corporations The State
granted charters to the Wilmington and Weldon
Road the Raleigh and CASTOR Road, the North Caro-
lima Road, and to the Albemarle and Chesapeake
Canal besides aided their construction. These
works carry produce to Virginia markets, but We
hear no dolcful cry from "A North Carolinian"
about them. Not only So but charter has been
granted for road from Cheraw, S. c., to the Coal
Fields in this State. Now considering these things
does it look like the friends of the Danville
ton seeking the repeal Of the odous restriction
"at the expense of the long and well established
policy of the State?" No. We ask for nothing
more than has been accorded to other sections with
| this difference, that We do not want State aid.
The writer speaks of the friends Of the measure
as seeking privileges for Yankee company at the
expense Of our own roads," We don't know what
he means by Yankee company" but We know the
impression sought to be conveyed is false and un
fair The friends of the Danville connection pos
sess much State pride as any people-they have
done as much for the State and have a right to de
mand equal privileges with other sections Suppose
the construction of the Danvile connection would
effect other roads, is that good reason why it should
not be built! Are monopoles to be established and
tolerated by the State? Are the citizens along the
| line of the proposed road to be denied the simple
privilege of building it with their own means, and
made to suffer in purse and person, for the mere
purpose Of helping to support other roads and put
ting money into the pockets Of certain individuals
and the Stater Such . course Is anti-republican
and in violation of the spirit Of our Bill Of Rights.
But this extraordinary patriotic gentleman who
writes over the signature Of "A North Carolini-
an" calls the scheme the free trade Charlotte
road The citizens of Charlotte land the represen-
tativcs of Mecklenburg in the Legslature) believe in
the principal of allowing people to trade wherever
they can do 80 to the best advantage. They claim
this privilege for themselves and are willing to allow
it to others They did not grumble when "A
North Carolinan" and his friends in the east were