Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1882-01-12

| Ogeechee, a tfamaha, elc.,) ranges
from 1000 to 5000 feet, and the
rivers flow in the aggregate thou
sands of miles in that State.
The splendid lift of the continent
which furnishes this vast reservoir,
power, has its crests (the highest in
North Carolina reaching nearly 4
600 feet) in an even chain $50 to
$50 miles from the seabuard. Its
significance and value to the region
are far beyond the water-power
which it supplies, important as that
is. 1t insures a mild, equable eli
| mate in wide extent of territory,
commencing as soon as a narrow
strip Of alluvial plain along the sea.
shore is passed, and stretching up
the gradual ascent to the hillsides,
among fertile valleys and rich for
ests, till the summit is reached and
turned, with like fertility and
wealth of natural product on the
western slope. The climate is
probably unequalled in the world.
A large part Of this region is
traversed by the Richmond and
Danville railroad and its branches,
a combination which embraces o.
900 miles il, its system, has only
eight millions of capital, stock and
bonds on the 200 miles in its orig G.
inal ownership, and that is to say
$40 900 per mile, against 100000
per mile OF stock and bonds On the
railways of the Middle States. $780,
900 per mile on the Pacific States,
and $4,000 per mile on those of
the New England States. With
the western States no fair compar-
iSon is open, inasmuch as the facili
ty tor easy construction of railways
i'll that region $50 many lines being
unfinished, with construction ac-
counts still open,) precludes ready
adjustment OF mileage to capital at
any given period.
In addition to these 1000 miles,
this great system covers lines in
process of construction IN Western
North Carolina, Tennessee, Geor
gia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkan-
sas, and Texas. This system starts
in one direction from Alexandria,
Va, oppo-ite Washington city, and
III another from Baltimore-utiliz-
ing a steam boat service which it
controls to West Point, Va, and
enjoying perfect advantages at
both points Of complete railway
connections and permanently deep
water. 1t traverses eight of the
most prosperous aud popuIous of
the southern States; includes among
its stations the capital cities of four
thereof, and shares largely in the
traffic which comes OF grain and to-
bacco, cottoE--, fruit, and vegetable
growing industries, as we'll as the
vast wealth of cattle raising, which
is making famous the slope of the
Appalachian chain in that part.
THE HOPE OF THE SOUTH.
All this needs to be stated in
connection with any mention Of
this company's exhibit, for neither
the North nor the South seems to
fully realize the Importance of this
system of roads, or the work it is
doing in the South. In fact, it is
better that the North should know
it, for there is a generation of men
there who will be quicker to see,
and seeing, to take hold OF the OPP
portunities that the work of the
railroad presents. | regard the
railroads the hope of the southern
country, and none is working hard
er to people it with desirable emf
grants than the Richmond and
Danville, through the immigration
schemes of Colonel Pope. about
which more will be said hereafter.
A DESERVED AWARD.
1t is not detracting from the ex-
cellence of other elegant displays
here to state that among tie awards
reported, l find this road receives a
certificate of award and cash
premium for the best and fullest
collection of minerals, another for
some from North Carolina, and a
third for superior collection of for
est products, hard, ornamental. and
other useful woods.
Mr.. Cyrus w. Field, who man
aged the subscription funds for the
wife and mother of President Gar
field has made the following state