Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-10-07
~ esE1rtl Extension.

There is question which seems, with such men
tai throeS pcrptx OF North Cardinals states,
men, as the extension Of the Central Road to the western
limit Of the State. And it is really amusing TO know
the subtt rugea which III different localities, avail
themselves Oi. In tie extreme Fast, where railroads
and naviglble Streams have brought a market to
every mans door The plea is there necessity for il
They do rot remember that the Western people have in
vested Thousands OF dollars in the completion OF their
railroads AID are helping 10 pay the public debt
incurred Tor their benefit. Some of them imagine that
the mountain boys " are mere Doors care nohDg for
awning hat hunting, wild as the animals that
roam Through these mountain Businesses aud wholly
unsucd Tor the facilities, which railroad would bring
Yea. OF tHH pretend TO think that have no;h-
ing for market hut bear meat aud chesns and these
can pack 10 market.
ln the central part OF the State and in Wilmington,
The prevalent opinion to be- that il hole could
be bored through the mountains and the products aud
travel II tie West could be brought to swell the mp0r
ancc aud ada IL tie business and wealth of their
ton, it wo1d all be right. But whenever you come
West Of Salisbury with noble exceptions every
town. either wants the Road sop with them pene-
rae to point not hey ond their vision And this
seltshness aud narrow, contracted view OF things the
part OF our members Immediately East of the Blue
Ridge have d0ubt contributed to delay the compile
ton OF this great work.
Just on this side OF the Ridge there another view
of the question. Our friends about AsEevile prefer
that the Extension should go down the French Broad
trade by shorter and less expensive route than through
our western counties.
We of Cherokee, Macon, jackson and Haywood, are
clearly of the opinion that the Central Road should be
constructed entirely through the State vast trunk
bringing wealth, happiness and convenience to every
geographical portion of the State from which all the
Northern and Southern branches may reach FORTH that
the people able to build And when this net work
shall thus be built the great stem running from he
Ocean to the farhest limit OF the State 10 the West
and built by the liberaty aud ability OF the State North
Carolina will begin to take her appropriate place among
her sisters Of the South evncing foresight and pru
dence which would have been in advance of the
age but which will just up to the measure oil
the peoples requirements and the States necessities
The road may be stopped beyond the mountains OF
detected North down the French Broad under the
present charter and prevalent dynasty. Yet we think
the time at hand when company should be organized
to carry the enterprise from the mouth of Swanan
noa W. stward towards Chattanooga. Should this state
of things arise and the present extension be not contn
ued through these Counties, much will be lost to the
State everyWay. Commerce and travel will seek south
ern cities and our Wilmington, Newbern and Beaufort
be left to that share OF trade and travel which they
have. But build the great trunk through the entire
length of the State send all energies and apply all
our capital to this policy and then will our eastern
cities be the recipients of productions and by the
offer of suitable inducements, will permanently gain
our trade. We warn our Wilmington and Beau
fort friends to be their guard. Advantages once
| lost may never be regained. And when the vast
productions of which or mountains are capable
and the commerce of the Mississippi valley which
will pass through here, shall get used to the markets
the South, they may never be Withdrawn. Let all per
sons rise above party considerations regard this great
enterprise too great and high for party politics anC
come to the rescue with determination to build for ths
State name that shall it to rank high n all thai
shall make great and powerful to bind her people to
gether by iron bands which cannot be severed and
hand down to postery benefactors of thu
human family.