Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-02-22
TREPORTED FOR THE JOURNAL.
RE M A RKS
MR.. HTcCLAMlIY. of New Hanover.


mingle in debate; not that [ would raise
my voice against any work of internal i'm
provement in the State that seeks to i'm
prove, or tends to develop the resources of
any particular section or locality. I wish
them all God speed and to the extent of
my ability will aid them; nor is it from any
motives of sectional character that rise
in opposition to this bill; but, sir, it is be-
cause [ regard this as a measure seriously
threatening that system of internal i'm
provements which we have at such great
expense labored to complete, AMI upon the
success of which depends the prosperity of
the State, and any measure which tends to
impede the progress of this system, is a
blow aimed at the very best interest of
North Carolina. I approach this discussion
with feelings of difidence. [ am well aware
that this bill basin the person OF It's origina-
tor, the representative from Anson an able
defender, perhaps the ablest on this floor, and
feel unequal to performance of the task
have undertaken, but / should feel that
had failed in the performance of my dnty
did I remain quietly in my place and not
call attention to the danger and at least
skirmish with the enemy until the line of
battle can be appraised of the situation and
gotten in readiness TO meet the foe.
This I regard as the most important
question of the session; a measure which
proposes with one blow to strike from ex-
istence the mighty labOrs of the past, and
condemn to inactivity that system Of inter
nal improvements which we have so faith
fully, so earnestly, and TINS far so sue
cessfully labored to deve OPP. Within the
State OF North Carolina we have, sir, two
grand trunk railroads. At an expense of
nearly twenty millions of dollars have we
sought 10 bind together the different sec
tions Of our own loved State, and place our
selves in communication with the populous
cities of the West and Soutbwe It is
sir, a noble work that we have been en-
gagged in; binding together with indissolu-
bile cords the hearts Of IL people whose great
est happiness should consist IN the advance
ment OF each others interests and the prOs-
perlty Of our COMMON mother. The work
has gone slow Y yet surely on; but to-day,
in the hour OF triumph, rs it were and when
we are just on the point Of realizing our
brightest hopes when the East is Just
ready to grasp the extended hand of the
West; when the wheat and corn, pork and
bacOn-aye, and oats, hay and fruit, and
nameless riches Of the West seek to find
the ocean through the eastern cities of
North Carolina, her Legislature is consid-
ering the proposition to build a Dad at an
expense of five hundred thousand dollars,
tide of wealth; deprive her own children of
its benefits; shut her eyes to her own inter
ests; send 1t out of her own borders to en-
rich the pet daughter of a scOrnful sister;
and what are the arguments we hear ad-
vanced IN support OF the measure I? That
it will develop the resources of the counties
through which it will pass; thatit will open
our coalfelds to the markets of the world,
and that the road extends into South Caro-
lima a distance of only ten miles, and that
State has subscribed five hundred thousand
dollars.
Now, sir, l am we'll aware that the Sec
ton intended to be traversed by this road
is rich in mineral wealth, and the State of
North Carolina is alive to the Importance
of its development The appeal made in
behalf of this people has not been made in
vain. The Legislature of North Carolina
has turned no deaf ear to their appeal but
in the Fayetteville and Western Coaifields
Road, in course of construction, and in the
Raleigh and Chatham Coalfelds Road,
only question of time, all the counties
proposed to be developed by this road,
with the exception perhaps of one, will
enjoy the advantages of rail road commu-
nication, and all this pent up wealth can
fin an outlet through our own cities, and
do its part in advancing the interests of
L
CERTIFY that the facts in the case may be
considered. and that we may not be carried
away by any appeal in behalf of these coun-
ties. [ would do this section no injustice,
nor can it be made TO appear that any has
been done them, and the argument res
pecting the mineral wealth of this section.
now shut up from the commerce of the
world, is lost when we recOllect that North
Carolina has in course of construction two
roads over which the people in this section
can send their produce to market.
But, sir, we are told of the liberality of
South Carolina that she, with a liberal
hand, has subscribed five hundred thousand
dollars to build road, only ten miles of
which lies within her border. What an
argument is this ! Brutus killed Caesar,
not that he loved Caesar less, but that he
loved Rome more. South Carolina APP
propriates money for the construction of
railroads in North Carolina Why? Is it
for the Advancement of the interests of
North Carolina The mere fact that she
has made this large appropriation is in it.
self an argument against the passage of this
bill, for in this Offering, this large appro-
priation, she seeks to enrich, and, if the bill
passes, aCW enrich herself at the expense of
that State for which her Legislature has
shown herself willing to do so much, not
that it loves North Carolina less, but that
it loves South Carolina and Charleston
more. [, Sir, am very much disposed to
question the sincerity of our sister State,
when she proposes to build our railroads
for us. remember the story of the Tro-
jan Horse, and am unwilling that the fate
of Ilium should be the fate of our dear old
State.
[ wish not to be understood as opposed to
any trade going out of the Safe, but [ ap-
peal to this Legislature not to make war
against that system of internal improve
ments which we have marked out. Icontend
that it is our duty to aid, strengthen and by
every means in our power perfect that sys-
tenn Send out branches in every direction
to feed it. Let it draw sustenance and sup
port from sections rich in wealth as yet I'M
developed, and North Carolina will soon
awake from her lethargy, and enter upon
career of unparalleled prosperity. We have
already two routes for through travel. and
an amount of travel barely sufficient to
sustain one-yet we propose to build
third.
But Sir the question very naturally ari
ses, and has been very properly asked, is
the state secured in its transfer to this road