The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1870-11-11

the people refused TO subscribe. ne
citizens of Macon showed better sense,
and the road was located there. And,
now, what is the result Macon is a
prosperous, go-ahead city, and Milledge-
vile is almost dead. 1t is only another
illustration of the short-sightedness of
our people, and of their failure in the
words of the old adage--to "makc hay
while the sun shines.
This road is not an impossibility, it
can be built. 1t proposes to extend to
the Tennessee line, and connect with
the Tennessee river. and with Cincin-
natl. VIII you embrace the oPportnni-
ty that is offered yop3 You must bring
to the work energy and determination
and will. You mast dig through noun
tsns, or 90 around them. You must
bridge rivers and you must level hills
and ill mp valleys. Capita is rcreas-
ing in this country and it must have
some field for investment. In New
England it is invested upon real estate,
upon bond and mortgage. Three per
cent is regarded as good return, for
the investment is considered as safe and
solid and secure. They want to place it
where it will pay good interest, and
where it will be available when they
want to use it. Let it come here to the
South. We need capital here. Our
money was lost by the unfortunate sys-
TEN of slavery that prevailed among us
Under the policy pursued in the North
ern States, towns and cities, and villages
sprang up like magic upon every side,
while our country bore upon it the
damper in the mildew of slavery
While they, by their hard earnings, by
their labor, by their capital, built fac
tories, and comfortable dwcling-houses,
and churches, and schools, and stone
fences around their farms and extended
their commerce, what did we do? We
labored and made capital aud put it into
negroes, sending our money into Mary
land and Virginia and North Carolina,
and when the war came all our capital
was swept away. suppose we had put
it into railroads, and factories and nous
cs and fences and Improvements, how
much greater would have been our
veal h to-day. We had advantages
which they didnct possess. Their lands
were sterile and barren, and ours were
fertile and productive. and we had
more genial climate. We possess these
same advantages to-day, and although
we are poor now, we are not going to
stay poor. We are accommodating capt.
tai, and are already seeking investment
for it. Within the last five years we
have built more railroads than ever be-
fore in the same length of time. Talk
about being poor Why great many
of YOU are better off than ever before
If you get little surplus money you
cau't put it into negroes, and you have
to look about for some other means
Of investment Whenever you find
railroad being built, you may be assured
that il is a good and safe Investment
Go on and make capital and put your
surplus dollars into railroads and. manu-
features aud other enterprises OF intern
al improvements. [AppIaose
Gen. Phillips would like to ask
one question Governor; Do you believe
that this road, undc: proper management
and direction, will be paying invest
mcnt
Gov. Brown Il will answer that ques-
ton very frankly. My opinion is that
for the first few years it will not pay
very handsomely; but after that time,
if the road is properly managed | have
no doubt but that it will pay well. Near
ly all railroads, for the first few years
after they are built pay no dividends.
Gen. Phillips Do you think it will
pay Marietta from the beginning und r
proper management?
Gov. Brown.-There is no doubt
about that. 1t would pay Marietta five
hundred per cent as soon as the road
was we'll stocked. Applause.
Judge Lawrencc.-Do you think the
road will be self ustainings
Gov. Brown think it would be self
sustaining at once as fast as ii is built
and think, after a few years. it will
pay dividcns.