Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-02-19
me Blue Ridga onestion.

AT the request of the author, we insert on
the first page the speech of Hon. T.. G. PAL
MER, Senator from Fairfield, in opposition 70
the Blue Ridge Railroad. The speech was
delivered during the last session of the Leg
islaturc.
An appeal to the people having been taken
from the action of tho Legislature on this sub
ject, a full discussion of the question is ron
dcred necessary. Tho press is the theatre
for this, and iC affords us pleasure to do jus
tice to all parties in that discussion. The
enterprise is an all-important one, not only
to this section but to the State at large, and
denands something more than onc-sdcd or
superfciaF examination or elimination.
4 Mr.. PALMER, from his previous advocacy Of
railroads or works of internal improvement
in the State, is regarded as the ablest and
most dangerous opponent Of the road. His
ability may be inferred from the speech we
publish and we would notActractaughtf from
it in this respect. The remaining conclusion,
however, of his strength in opposition, is not
perhaps so apparent And why? has he
changed his opinions on the subject? If he
has he does not say so On the other hand,
n casual reader of tho speech might very
readily come to the conclusion that he was
friend, of some Sort to the enterprise. AL
though found opposing the measure of relief
advocated by the friends of the road, yet,
nevertheless, he is willing to vote So, 600 per
mile to complete it. If, rs he states else
where, the road cannot pay and the funds
spent and to be spent in its completion must
be loss to the State, y does hc holding
such opinions, express ais willingness to vote
$4,000 per mile further even now. To us ;ho
the two positions arc irrcconciinblc: in 9TH
or words they arc inconsistent, and destroy
the prestige Of strength which has been ingc-
niousy woven for his efforts. And we would
remark just here that the speech VIC print is
only one of his numerous articles that have
astonished the public by their appearance in
the press.
Mr.. PALMER only makes two points that de-
serve serious attention, namely: that the
road will not pay after it is completed and
the indisposition of the people at large to
subscribe for its stock.
First: will itbo paying enterprise? We
believe it will, and proceed to demonstrate
the fact The road, when completed, is to
be 1914 miles in length. Travcrsineo region
uhcxplored by means for creating trade and
giving an impetus TO travel, this mountain
region will in a short time give an income to
the road, which, for its yaluo, must astonish
even th9s friends of tho road. The metals
and1ts article ofhay. to say nothing of stock,
arc to be no mean feeders. But it is the trade
and travel Of the great West that must be re-
munerating to this enterprise Not Knox
vile and her trade only, but being the near
est and most direct route to the Atlantic,
(Charleston) there can be no dombt as to this.
The mighty West, although. as it were, but
the growth of yesterday, will send to market
her thousands of barrels of flour and corn,
without the mention of her stock, hay and
other rich products of that fertile region
The travel is only to be estimated by that on
other great thoronghfares, and which is too
we'll known to require enumeration Incl
dent to this point, is the sordd consideration
Of the increase of taxes When the road is
remunetntiyc, os it must be, it will relieve
the State of this burden, consequently the
fears of the opposition may be Quictca on this
Hcore, as well assome others.