The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-01

hey which, applied to that military necessity
| when it commenced, apply with equal force to thu
Columbia and Hamburg Railroad With this lin.
completed, and cars running through from Char
lotte to Augusta. large reinforcements might in
few days be transferred from Atlanta to Richmond
vice versa. while it would require the enemy more
than double the time to send to or from the same
places. through Ohio and Pennsylvania, the same
number OF troops to the opposing armies. and thus
enable our Government to defend our country and
gain our independence with a reduced force. 1t is
rapldIty OF motion that gives the power of concen
tration. Railroads the media of quick transit
and were the means used to combine armies and
win supremacy and victory on the plains of Munas-
sas aud the well contested fields of Richmond and
Shiloh They annihilate space, build up cities
people and develop countries, equalze the expenses
of living distribute the productions Of art and sci
ence among mankind, give cultivation and refine
ment to society and strength and power to Govern
ments All direct routes of steam, whether by land
or water in times of peace or war, are to mankind
like great labor saving machines, and are the ee-
ments of public and private wealth. strength and
prosperity. These considerations of public policy
have not been without their influences in inducing
your officers to urge forward this work. sonecessary
in a state of peace well war, and under cir
cumstances very unfavorable for the progress Of
such works. If private capital, while seeking an
investment, thus voluntarily be made subser-
Went to cOuntrys welfare and independence. it
will hereafter be gratifying to every patriotic stock
holder to know that his means contributed to de-
sirable result.
The War Department has been advised that the
work would be rendered to the Government during
the war SO the graduation was ready for
the iron. Should it be unable or unwilling to COM
plete it, the Stockholders will still have good prop
erty and can finish it as peace returns or
the iron can be procured. With the Piedmont Road
finished, this constitutes the last important link
be made in the great Metropolitan line of railway. be-
ginning arthe Potomac, passing through Richmond,
Charlotte, Columbia, Augusta, Meridian and Jack
son. to Vicksburg. and there connecting with the
Southern Pacific Road, destined to reach far into
the interior of the State of Texas. great central
line of railway, thus extending its Brierian to
the very confines of the Confederacy running
through almost the centre of territory, wealth and
population Of States. and passing through the
capals of five of them. will always possess advan-
tages of transportation er-rJ other route.
After three years of fragrant war, conducted on a
scale and magnitude unexampled for the strength
and resources Of the contendng powers, this line re-
mains almost intact by our enemies, except. where
the Potomac and Mississippi rivers open the gates to
reach it. Its location gives it great advantages of
security, of pleasant, heathful climate and water
and exemption from the extremes of heat and cold,
to which other routes may be exposed. Any portion
of it, therefore, properly constructed and managed
promises profitable investment to capital
A Charter has been granted by the State eft q cor
gia to cross the Savannah River. and pass through
the city of Augusta, to the Georgia Railroad Depot
new Charter has also been granted by the State Of
South Carolina. The provisions of the two are sub
stantally the same and both propose to change the
style of the Corporation to the Columbia and Angus
ia Railroad Company. 1t is respectfully recon-
mended that these Charters be referred to Com
Directors, who will be authorized to accept reject
the
Respectfully submitted.
VIM. JOHNSTON, President.