The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-03-14
tCommuncarcd.5
"Thcrc Is Life in The Old Land Yet"

Mr.. Editor.-It is with pride and sratlh-
cation that learn that tho SouSh Carolina
Rail Road Co., the natural friend andally
of Camden, has contributed the sum Of two
thousand dollars towards building free
bridge across the Wateree river at Camden.
This contribution, it is true, is a small mat
ter, as is the bridge itself, but it commends.
itself to the earnest consideration and ap-
proval of us all, in that it is the first step Ia
ken in this community in public matters,
since the war, towards the development of
our material resources.
This section of this State is blessed with
material resources, uncquallcd anywhere on
earth. They charmed the old Quakcrs in
1745 to stop here, and build their peaceful,
happy homes. They allurcd an intelligent
lsugI1su rUIuTy-rne NrrsHaws--ln l16O to
occupy and possess the land. The Scotch
Irish Presbyterians did not fail to recognize
these inviting fields, during the latter part
of the last century. During the Revolution
the cavaliers of Lees Legion, were enchant-
el with our ''bcautiful places" and many Of
them afterwards built up homes and families
in the sweet valleys formed by the intcrsec-
tion formed by Pinetree and the Wateree.-
The great Washington, on a visit after the
Revolution, saw and admired the great natu-
raj advantages of this land.
Three-fourths of century had built up
here great wealth., and great civilization
War has destroyed the one, and terribly im-
paired the other, but the. natural advantages
remain the same, heightened by art and mod
ern improvement. Yet, for our new system,
these natural advantages are undeveloped-
these modern. improvements unapplied.-
The fault is our own to great extent. We
will never got out ofthis "slough Of despond,"
without earnest effort, individual and collect
i've. Energy, industry, enterprise and public
spirit, will bring our waste places to bloom
again. We are taking now one little STEP
The noxt, and most important,is Rail Road
to Charlotte, No. Ca. H
know whereof speak. when say that
it only requires concentrated effort of the
people along the proposed line, to build that
road, not only without cost, but at profit.
Thus. A subscription of one hundred thou
sand acres Of land, will secure the road to
Lancaster Court House. The stock issued
for this land will be worth at least as much
as the land is. The land remaining in the
hands of the subscribers will ke- trebeled or
ouaarepled in vaiues4- have senvetsed with
manv on this subject, and never heard the
proposition questioned.
Then once at Lancaster, the road will i'm
be conveyed to Charlotte as an
honored guest At Charlotte it would become
a part of great rail road highway. The once
charming, but now desoate country between
Camden and Lancaster, would again prosper,
with ten fold increased interest Small
farms, occupied by most useful and aecepta-
bic people, would supplant the waste planta-
tions that now deform the country, and eve
ry interest social, moral, pecunary and po-
litical, would at once feel the beneficial effect,
while every individual engaged in any bust
ness whatsoever. would share the profits.
have always desired that the South Car
olina Railroad Company should take the
lsad in this enterprise. 1t Is the Road of
Old South Carolina. Identified with all our
past in railroad matters; the noblest names
among our dead sagcs and patriots, and has
now an open pathway to the sea; but would
to our people, to join forces with
the $50. Ca. Central" or the;"Pittsburg Vir-
ginia L. Charleston" or any other good COM
pany that would give assurance oi'success.-
Failing all, let US Ego it alone"
AU REVOIR.