Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-10-22


should be brought under the influence of
this science, and our people would often
be saved from the almost utter destruction
| of the fruits of their labor. To do this
schools must be opened, colleges estab.
lished, and the great business of life, the
avocation of Cincinnatus and Washington
be no longer rude art, but a noble, sub
lime and benefcent science. The con-
| tinued improvements in agricultural i'm
elements SHOULD be fostered until the Ia.
Dor of the farm should become SO easy as
to enable work to be done with expedition
and ease.
The speaker dwelt upon the Importance
of railroads threading our every section of
country; but In this connection he dealt
blow to the present rates of tariff and
fares upon the railroads of the South, and
one which we would like to see needed,
as, with the speaker, we believe low rates
would do more to enhance our materi al
prosperity than any other one thing that
could be done, while the railroads them
selves would reap a result that would add
largely to their eXchequers. The speaker
thought that if the roads would place
fertilizers at the doors of the farmers, free
of charge, the return CT increased freights
therefrom would more than doubly repay
them, while the country itself would be
made garden that would give us that
wealth which should be ours
He deplored the fact that they line gered
and halted and faltered at the base of the
Blue Ridge. Says he:
This must not be. Our resources must be hus-
banded, and our hearts enlisted, until the fiery
steam car shall bound with the light of morning
through the deep gorges and under the towering
heights OF our own blue mountains. Nature has
proclaimed, by laws unmistakable and unim-
peachsble that through this very belt of our con-
tinent shall pass the great highway of nations,
bearing the commerce of the Eastern and West
ern Oceans, and the coming and going thronS OF
living, animated, intelligent. hopeful beings.
This mighty current OF trade and travel will en-
rich and gladden. on both sides the country
through which 1t passes, and If We are true to
ourselves it's great track line may run along the
track of yonder railway, and make this the most
fair portion of the continent.
The speaker warmly advocated the in
viting into our midst, by every honorable
means, that immigration which would en-
able US to develop our hidden wealth-we
should extend a Welcome to every one
coming among us to unite his interest
with ours. The motto of railroads, said
he, should be free ticket to all immi-
grants to North Carolina and free freights
to all fertilizers" and in less than ten
years the roads would have an army of
friends to patronize, to support and be-
happy State for their customers, and their
treasury would be full to overlooking.
The speaker dilated at much length
upon the immense advantage the farmer
would derive from proper cultivation of
the land-let our lands be made rich, and
our farmers, with less labor and at less ex-
pense, would find themselves reaping a
rich harvest.
After dwelling upon various subjects of
interest the speaker made the following
appeal:
And, my countrymen, let me in all candor ask
why may not the South, why may not our State,
take the lead in the grand development OF which
have spoken. Ii We are true to ourselves there
is and say it with vain spirit, no portion of
this continent that can compare with the South
in agricultural advantages, no portion of the
continent that can surpass this region in manu-
featuring facilities, no portion that can present
80 many inducements to incoming population. -
Why then shall we believe that our destiny is not
to be equal to that of the North and the West,
why shall not the South advance with the North.
My countrymen, we can and must, under the
blessing OF Heaven, not only keep pace with but
outstrip the North and West in this race for aRr
cultural, commerclsl moral, intellectual power
and ascendanoy. We have deluded ourselves
long enough, too long with the false notion that
their position in any respect is superior to ours
L. not our climate genial as theirs Let their
bound canals, their frozen rivers, their snow
drifts and the thawing avalanche answer. Is not
our soil IS fertile as theirs refer you to the
exports of the country even now, when the South
is exhausted by conquest, and you will find that
| exports last year reached 1928 100000; those OF
the North did not amount in its great prosperity,
| to half that gsum. Are productions val
liable theirs? In the very markets of the great
| North, in the New York Exchange, North Caro-
lima wheat brings at least 25 cents on the bushel
| more than Chicago wheat, North Carolina corn
brings 10 to Is cents on the bushel more tran In
dian corn, North Carolina tobacco brings from S
! to 800 per hundred more than Ohio and Connec-
| tcut tobacco. Can we manufacture we'll as
| they q? The Augusta Manufacturing Company.
| at Augusta. Georgia. last year realized larger
| profits and declared and paid larger dividends
| than any similar company in the United States.
| have examined carefully the prices current OF
Northern and Southern markets, and find but
one article which they produce which commands
higher price than ours-that is the ordinary
white or navy bean: Does their stock of animals
excel ours In the lllustrious contests OF the
| turf, where speed and endurance are extremely
tested, With exception the laurels have fallen
! on the flying colors Of the Southern racer.
would not detract from the North or the West, il
| know my own heart now. AS an American
| citizen would rather see them even greater
| than they are but do desire, l mean to show,
their superior soil, climate, water power pro
auctions, but to other and entirely extraneous
! causes.
| The speaker, after holding his audience
spell for the space of an hour and q
/ half, concluded with the following touch
ing aliusion to one whom all delight tc
honor:
! 1 trust you will pardon in this place ailusio1
/ of somewhat personal character. 1t is connec
| ted with name sill delight to honor, and
will not refrain from the mention Of it here to-
day, because, in my judgment, it reflects the
highest credit the chief character in the scene
and teaches a lesson to our people they ough!
never to forget. You all remember AppomattoS
| Oourthouse-there the curtain fell on the death
scene of the Southern struggle, and blush lot
to name it, for as look back upon the events OF
that unhappy conflict, though there may be much
that awakens sorrow, I see nothing that should
bring shame to the heart OF an honorable man,
but rather pride, sympathy and admiration for
high purpose, dauntless courage, unsullled hon
or, heroic devotion and Iunmurmuring sacrifice
for love of country. On the morning after the
surrender, the armies still occupying the posi-
tions of the day BEFORE several officers and gen.
men had assembled at the tent OF General Lee,
on a small eminence in the woods. shall never
forget the group-it was the first and only time
ever saw thai great and good man show emotion,
it seemed as if his heart would break, the eye
which had gszed like the eagle on the red light
ming of battle was wet with patriots tear dim
with soldiers grief. The conversation was a
sorrowful one, for it related to the surrender,
when at length General Gordon, as we'll as
recollect, said, "woll General Lee, what must
we do now?" Well do 1 remember General
l:~L1 Frop OH ha aaiH