Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-11-01
yVilming ton. Charlotte and RUTHERFORD
Rsilroad---Its Connections.

Rsilroad--~1ts Connections.
We make noapology for devoting our edl-
torial space a Jain to making further ex-
tracts from the able report Of President
CowAN at the recent meeting of the Stock
holders of this Company. Yesterday those
published referred to the financial con-
dition and prospects of this great WORK
To-day we make extracts from that portion |
of the report in regard to the future con
nections of the road and the great advan-
tages to be derived from its completion.
No citizen of Wilmington, nor Of the State
can cast his eye over the map, and folio"
the lines traced in this report but what
must realize the immense advantages to be
derived from these connections. By placing
our own port 10 immediate and shortest
connection with the great West, Whining
ton and North Carolina may begin to reap
the benefits Of their position and develop
their natural advantages and resources
North Carolina, through her system OF
railroa Is and other internal improvements,
has long paid immense tribute to neigh
boring States and built up other ports
The attempt must now be made to have
these tolls returned to her own borders, by
making it the interest Of other States to
ship their produce over her own roads and
through her own ports, and receive their
merchandise by the same routes We have
patronized others because it was to our IN
terest as individuals to do SO. Then let us
compel others to patroEize US for the same
reasons. This can be done by all early
com pletion of the Wilmington, Charlotte
and Rutherford Railroad, and by extending
it's western terminus to connect with the
great roads leading to the Ohio and Nissis-
sippi Valleys.
We invite special attention to the fol-
lowing extract from Col. CowAN's report
upon the subject OF the western connections
: of this road:
From Ash7ilIe, in Buncomoo county via the
Paint Rock, to Morristown i'll Tennessee, We meet
T a leading road from Louisville Kentucky. This
road is already in operation from Louisville 70
Crab Orchard, distance OF i15 miles. 1t il I'M
der contract to London, distance Of At miles
farther to be completed this fall; and it viii make
: its southern terminus either at Knoxville, or by
way Of Cumberland Gap, at MOrrIstoWn. The
: leading object Of it's projectors was connection
- with the Atlantic coast by means Of the system OF
Ii railroads chartered by North and South Carolina.
: Like the road from Morristpwn to Paint Rock, X
Il is in the hands Of energetic and accomplished raj
s. road men, who fully alive to the importance
: of the connection, and who have the means Of
e completing their end Of the line long before We
: can complete ours, even under the most favora
5 bic circumstances. Nothing, then. is needed t.
i induce them to come to MorristOwI but the asslr
t. ance that &c can and will meet them at the Ten
messed line. The very rnunont that we reach tina
II point the connection is ready for and Tax
slightest attention to the county viii convince
~ any one that it is co 1nection Of the very frs
- Importance We will have almost al air line from
IS the Atlantic Ocean to th, Ohio River. We vii
l" pass through great and growing country, rlcl
"a in all the productions Of commerce aud otle
- them route to market good as, Ii not She Yef
L best, which the country afford For the pro
. auctions of Eastern Tennessee, aud for those q
Nv all Kentucky intended for the Southern Atlanti
ne coast we will stand without 3 competitor; AM
le we can present by far the shortest quickest. a
c in every way the most attractive route to '%Saen
" gers from the same section Of country, to tn
20 Northwestern States, to the Territories, and I
We California, by way of Louisville st. Louis an
W the great Pacific Rail Road.
's' Joining the Western North Carolina Road in it
extension to Ducktown, with the completion {
vi the short link between Du"ktown anG Cleave.a lt
- for which a charter and aid has been granted b
III the State of Tennessee, we have direct commun
e cation with the city Of Memphis UjG the East Ter
e- nessee and Georgia and the Memphis and Chan
lts lesion Rail Roads Trace this route upon III
~ map and you will find it as straight could b
built even if we started out for the purpose
DIT connecting that city with eastern terminus
80 The completion of the projected line betwcc
10 Nashville and Knoxville would be another step
no improve position, for will have close con
Vi municat0n with Knoxville by the MOriist0w
he route In either case, the lie from the Atant
" to tho Mississippi will not vary more than one q,
LII gree north south OF an air line, and gives
" an advantage which is not pos sessed by any othe
DC through line i'll the country. Looking beyond til
5SC Mississippi, then, Offer the very best liz
ne in the whole country, to the Southern Pacifc /
wav of Memph s. Little Rock and Ell pasO-
he route in which the Ohio River States deeply il
'st terested and which beyond FL Paso, being mel
ny ged into the Southwestern Pacific, with the Go
le, eminent grant, Is certain to be pushed to con
pletion long before the Southern Pacific, throug
eS, Texas can possibly be buiIt
Us In the direction of the Cranberry IRON Wo:k
~ by awaiting ourselves OF the privileges Of tie cha
or Ter to the North Western Railroad Compan
eh passed by the last General Assembly, we have
Up connection with the East Tennessee and Virgin
l0e Railroad aud have the advantage OF its come
III tons. road has been chartered, and surveye
~ from Bristol to the Cumberland Gap; but its pr
hu gress seems to be dependent, il some wa
upon the consolidation of certain Virginia al
Wy Tennessee roads-a measure which has exercise
ta- the minds Of the stockholders Of these Comp
ess MES for some time past, but which has not Y
n been decided. With the aid of this road, our cor
- muncation with Ohio would be quite direct
by the routes of which we have already Spoken
ho but our communication with the Mississip
nI would be much less direct and in this point
M view, this route is much less desirable for
of But there facts connected with it which g.
va we'll worthy of your most attentive considerable
49, The country through which our own road won
' cross is Of we'll ascertaIned grea natural wealth
III, and. within our own State, would be without
ms competing line for the transport alton of its pr
F1-,CI 10