Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-15
Commercial Future of Wilmington.

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| Commercial Future OF Wilmington.
We have frequently referred to the i'm
portance to Wilmington of the early COM
pletion of the lines of railroad, now partly
constructed, which will connect our
city with the interior, the one terminating
here, and the other at Fayetteville. We
have been again favored with letter from
leading citizen of our State, with some
timely and wholesome reflections upon this
subject, directed especially to the business
men and property-owners of this place, to
which we call special attention.
The facts and figures therein contained,
show that our merchandise are rather contentto
do their business with certain districts of
country and are making no effort to ex
tend the field of operation into territory
where business is transacted and purchases
made at port more remote, and in a
neighboring State. Certainly, with the adj
vantages of sixty five miles of railroad trans
portation as between this city and Norfolk,
we should be able, with proper efforts by
our merchants and arrangements by our
railroads. to at least compete with that port
for the trade along the North Carolina and
the Western North Carolina railroads.
But the letter of our correspondent shows
beyond question the duty of Wilmington
in regard to the completion of the two
roads, which will bring her in close con-
nection with the interior, and that no time
is to be lost thinking over these matters.
We cannot expect to rise from our present
prostration bylying supinelyupon our backs
and grieving over our sad fate. Commerce
cannot be brought to our port, or popula-
ton seek our city. without making the Of
fort ourselves to compel the one, which
will assure the other Nor can trade long
be forced out of its natural channels, and
if we desire to reap the advantages of a
situation Which puts us SO much nearer
rich interior, than ports North and South
of us, we must put forth the efforts neces-
sary to extend our arms to embrace this
great region of country. SO little really is
to be done to connect Wilmington with
Charlotte and Lincolnton, and with Green's
we will most properly be the greatest suf-
ferers.
Both of these lines of railroads have
prospects Of an early completion, but nei
Their can be attained without united and
persevering efforts, and we fear there is not
sufficient interest felt and manifested in our
community. Certainly our people cannot
have considered the great Importance of
these measures upon our future WELFARE
We know that the entire trade, outgoing
and incoming, of the whole central and
Western central part of the State, rs far
West as Morganton, on the Western North
Carolina railroad, and Lincolton on the
Wilmington, Charlotte and rutherford
Railroad, seeks an outlet and inlet at Nor
folk, thereby going almost as far again by
land, as it would to come to this city, were
the unfinished roads completed. Viii
mington would not only be the port
for all this country, but would also
be the selling market of most of
the rich products of that section
as we'll as the purchasing market for
their groceries, agricultural implements
and fertilizers, and many other articles of
daily consumption, and we do not think
our correspondent over-steps the mark
in predicting for our city population and
Importance greater than that of any of her
seaboard rivals between Baltimore and New
Orleans.
But to accomplish this, the people of
Wilmington must make the proper exer-
ton. The first matter for consideration is
to present these subjects properly to the
Legislature of the State, and we think our
city should in some public and formal
manner give their aid to the railroad au-
thorities in urging upon that body the
great Importance of these works and max
ing known the feeling in this city. We
must assist those who are helping us. If
we are but true to ourselves and display in
the future the far-sightedness and iberality
which in the past has made our city what
it is, Wilmington will attain an Importance
and wealth little dreamed of at present.