Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-08-12
For the Journal.


| MEssRs. EDITORS Il am glad TO see our
people in this section of the State aroused
to the importance of railroad communioa-
tion. The altered condition of things has
produced wonderful change in the minds,
even OF those who in former years prefer
red q stata Of exclusion.
The tendency OF people seems now to be
to get nearer TO railroads Almost every
one wants new road to run either by his
house. or through his farm or in his neigh,
borhood. Some of our counties, IN whose
bosom lies untold agriculture! treasures
arc looking eagerly for some move to be
made by which thoy may Ee brought into
communication with the outer world The
| fertility Of their soil, the sterling worth
and she native Independence Of their citi-
zens arc comparatively unknown. Their
lands which would yield bountifulIy either
lie dormant, or are only partially devcl-
oped. All along tho line of the Whining
ton and Weldon Railroad there ia q section
| OF country not very remote, which by
means of branch roads. could pour q con-
| stank stream Of agricultural resources into
this main channel. These counties feel
the need OF quick transportation for
| their produce. Their means of transpor-
| tation are 30 slow and expensive, that the
! profits arc materially diminished, if not
wholly lost.
Tho Wilmington and Weldon Railroad
- the great central through route Of North
Carolina. 1t is the best oficered and oon-
Quoted road in the State, and ia one of
| tho leading routes in the South. 1t makes
close connection with The most prominent
| through. lines, loading to the Northern
markets. Running through she richest
section OF the State it is yet destined to
take higher and moro commanding posi-
ton among the great thorough-fares OF the
| Union.
! The people OF this section, in project
ing now roads, should not lose sight of
this great main channel, Offering as il
does superior advantages to any other
route in North Carolina. II they desira
to reap the benefits Of competition il
trade and have tho privilege OF shipping
to any point, which holds ont the creates.
inducements, let them build branch roads
in connection with tho Wilmington and
Weldon Railroad.
The charter obtained for the OnsoH
Branch of the Wilmington aid Weldon
Railroad was move made in the right
direction. Suoh q route would bring the
people Of Onslow into O direct communi-
cation with all the best markets. It would
be great feeder to the Wilmington and
| Weldon Railroad Let this Onsiow
Branch be continued, or separate route
be run from the Wilmington and Weldon
Railroad through tho northern portion of
New Hanover TO Elizabethtown or some
point IN Bladen. There then would be
two great feeders to the main chRnnei.-
These two branch roads would run through
| or near to some of the most productive
| land in North Carolina. No portion of
! the State, liz an agricultural point OF view,
| is more highly favored than tho section
bordering on the banks of New River,
Black River and South River. And il
| would be greatly to the interest of the
Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Com
pany to encourage and materially aid all
prospects which would tend to incroase the
prosperity OF their road. The people, no
doubt, If the matter were fairly presented
to them, would subscribe land enough to
justify she Railroad Corporation in taking
the remainder of the stock.
trust that the subject OF branch ronds
may be agitatod, and that the people will
speak cut and let il be known what they
are willing to do in the furtherance Of
these enterprises. For this is the only
mode OF bringing Eastern North Carolin O
up to that high stand point which it should
occupy In the agricultural world.