NORTH CAROLINIAN.
PAYETTEVILLE, N- C
SATtTRDAY, December 18, 1858.
The President's Message.
As the publication of this document last week
was incomplete, owing to the crowded state of our
columns, we propose to give the striking points in
the Message.
1st. The acquisition of Cuba by purchase is
distinctly urged by the President as a measure of
great importance to our commercial policy, and
within the scope of legislative authority. lie pro
poses that Congress shall provide the meansfor
its immediate purchase by the United States.
2d. A protectorate over the Mexican provinces
of Sonora and Chihuahua, or military occupation
of that territory by the United States, as a pro
tection to our border, and a reprisal for outrages
committed upon our citizens.
'3d. The use of the Federal troops and navy to
protect our rights and our interests, by keeping
open the several transit routes to the Tacific O
cean, through the Central American State of Ni
caragua. 4th. The enforcement of our claims upon the
Spanish government.
No American State paper disclosing more sa
gacity or practical statesmanship ever emanated
from the executive chair. The policy of the Amer
' ican government is clearly and boldly defined upon
every national question claiming attention from
Congress.
To us the absorbing point of interest is the views
of the President upon Cuba. It is well known
that in a financial point of view Cuba is a source
of no revenue to the home government of Spain,
that the expenditures exceed the income of the Is
land, and unless its owners, through the conni
vance of the European powers, become a party to
the mooted project of establishing out of it an in
dependent sovereignty, they will gladly embrace
an opportunity to replenish the coffers of the Span
ish government out of its sale. The necessity to
incorporate or adopt the present population of the
Island has no conjunction with the policy of its
accession to American territory. A new and
"hardy population from the States would soon oc
cupy it, and carrying with them the enterprise
and characteristics of our people, would soon ex
tinguish every mark of Spanish dominion.
Tn tlm event of a failure to make a successful
negociation for the purchase of Cuba, it will be
come a just measure of expediency to enforce
the payment of American claims upon Spain, by
taking possession of Cuba as security for their
liquidation. Although this is not directly recora
mended -by Mr. IJuchaijan, it itf implied in - his
fui--estion to follow the scheme of purchase by
these demands upon the Spanish government.
Cuba lies in the very path of our commerce,
the key to the Gulf of Mexico and its adjacent
.shores : and the arguments of the President in ta
vor of its immediate acquisition by our govern
ment are powerful and conclusive.
It is highly important that Congress should
take some early and decisive step in adopting
this recommendation of the Psident. Unless
the present session are ready and willing to per
fect those schemes of legislation to which the
Democratic party are committed; there is little
hope of their execution hereafter. The next term
of Congress will most probably shew a majority
for the opposition, unfriendly to any measure
having paternity in the administration, no matter
how conducive to the interests or welfare of the
country.
The important questions we have mentioned in
connexion with the annexation of Cuba, have all a
party aspect, and are too thoroughly the features
of a democratic policy und a democratic adminis
tration to receive adoption from the Black lle
puMIcan party.
The bold stand taken by the President in re
gard to the Nicaragua transit routes should be
firmly sustained by Congress. It is simply to en
force the right of sharing in privileges, for the
common benefit of all nations, through force of
arms if necessary, by maintaining that the keys
to the commerce of the Pacific shall not de clos
eh against any nation, but bo neutral ground for
the commerce of the world.
We hope the present session of Congress will
leave Kansas and President-making for the next
term, ami apply themselves energetically to the
work before them.
Threatened Rupture with England.
The British outrage upon the American
Steamship Washington, in the face of the strong
position taken by our government upon the
" right of search," threatens to be a serious
affair. The excuse rendered by the British
officials are too shallow to have any respect at
"Washington, especially as the offence was com
mitted under the eye of the British minister at
San Juan. Cuba is in the eye of both England
and France, and at the bottom of these out
rages. The never-tiring Democracy of Virginia have
chosen as their standard bearer for Governor Hon.
To'm Letcher. Many gentlemen were competitors
f r the honor, and much timo was consumed in ma
king the nomination ; but with a loyalty superior to
selfishness, the friends of the different candidates
gave their support to the ticket. The Richmond
Enquirer holds the following generous sentiments,
well worthy of imitation :
It is, then, not in the humility of defeat, but in
the pride of success that we offer our endeavors
to secure the election of John Letcher, of Iiock
bridge, to the office of Governor of Virginia. And
we call earnestly to the whole host of Democrats
in Virginia, with whom and for whom wo laboied
to deieat his nomination, and especially to the
picked troop of gallant gentlemen and distinguish
ed statesmen who battled in Convention only more
firmly, more unflinchingly, because they found
themselves in a minority there, to rally to tho stands
aid of Democracy, and lift up the standard bearer
and hold him aloft on the very topmast triumph of
a full Democratic majority. Come forward,
knights of the forlorn hope ! "We just want such
spirits as yours, not in the rear of the phalanx, but
foremost in the van of the advanced guard. Throw
aside tho objections which have impelled you to
oppose the Aspirant; let them have no weight
against the noininee. r
The Convention offered the following reaolutiori
before adjourning :
Resolved. That, trusting to the patriotism,
wisdom and fidelity of the Chief Magistrate of the
Union, and in view of the conduct which has hith
erto characterised his direction of public affairs,
wo re(n(mi7.e it as a dutv bindintr on every true
Democrat, whatever honest differences may have
arisen on isolated questions of public policy, to
rally to the support of the Administration in his
name, and for the sake of the party whose best in
terests must remain identified with its own.
The Usury Law Greensboro' Patriot.
Our cotemporary, the Greensboro' Patriot,
contains an editorial on the subject of Usury,
strongly opposing the repeal of the law imposing
penalties on those who take more than six per
cent, interest, on the loan of money. The Patriot
seems to look upon the movement in favor of re
peal, as smelling of Democracy, and asks the ques
tion why the subject was not discussed by Gov.
Ellis and the Democratic candidates for the legis
lature ? Now we have never regarded it as a
party movement at all. It may have been, and
very probably was discussed by candidates for the
General Assembly in many of the counties, previ
ous to the election. But we have vet to learn that
the question has been made or is likely to be made
a party question.
If wi had no other information on this subject,
the facts mentioned in the article of the Patriot
would be sufficient to satisfy us that the usury law
should be repealed. For instance, the Patriot
tells us that the North Carolina road had to borrow
money at 12i per cent, interest, and that too from
the Banks. Now, if the Patriot knows this to be
so, and the usury law is right, why does not the
Patriot cause the Banks to be prosecuted for a
violation, of the law ? But perhaps this loan was
effected in such a way that the law would not reach
the case. Then the law has been evaded, and if it
can be so easily evaded it must of necessity be
worthless. If it be worthless why keep it on the
Statute book? What is its present effect? Ac
cording to the statement of the Patriot, it is disre
garded by the Banks, and it is evaded moreover,
every day in the week, by money lenders all over
the State. There are a few monicd persons who
do not evade it. Some of them send their money
abroad for investment, and some of them continue
to loan it out in the State at the legal rate of inter
est. What is the inference from these facts ?
That the law does not affect those who have con
trol of the great body of the monied capital in
the State, but does affect a few who either from
timidity or a conscientious regard for the law, re
fuse to infringe it. Is it right to retain a law
which operates thus unequally ?
Another fact which we glean from the Patriot is
that the political economists are all opposed to the
principle of the Usury laws. These are, according
to the Patriot, mere theorists, having no practical
knowledge of the subject. Now, we are accustom
ed to refer questions of law to lawyers for advice,
questions of medicine to doctors, and questions of
science to men of science. And why ? Upon the
well grounded assumption that a man who gives
his peculiar attention to a particular class of sub
jects is better able to decide all questions connect
ed therewith than a mere outsider, who perhaps
lacks the time or the inclination to sift such sub
jects fro tle bottom.
Political economists have investigated this ques
tion of usury with great industry and the single
purpose we must suppose of eviscerating the truth.
If having done so they have generally come to the
conclusion that all laws restricting the rate of in
terest are unwise, we think the argument from au
thority against such laws must needs be very
strong. If, as the Patriot states, very many well
educated gentlemen, elected to scats in the Legis
lature, are also in favor of repealing the law, we
think the argument loses none of its force.
Our contemporary asks the question how we
shall keep the money in the State, when by send
ing it abroad the owner might realize a larger pro
fit, and answers the question by proposing to tax
the profits on all such capital as i sent out of tho
State so heavily, as will cause the owners to bring
it back and invest it at home. We conjecture that
this scheme would not work so very happily. The
present laws drive the capital from the State for
investment ; but the tax proposed by the Patriot
would drive the owners after it. Men will send
their money where they can get the most for it ;
and if the State should impose an onerous tax on
them for it, they will easily get rid of the tax by
removing from the State. We should then have
driven out both capital and capitalist. And is this
a consummation to be desired ? No, indeed. There
must be a co-oporation of labor and capital, to ad
vance the best interests of a people, and they are
so intimately connected, that any legislation un
friendly to capital must of necessity be unfriendlv
to labor.
We don't know whether foreign journals make
such comments as those below through ignorance
concerning American politics or not. It is either
from the first or from malice that the last Edin
burgh Review perpetrates the following:
Webster bowed his splendid head to the yoke of
the South, and died broken-hearted at the conse
quences of tho humiliation. Clay sustained re
peated disappointments, and left a tainted reputa
tion, as having been the obstacle to the restriction
and reduction of slavery in some of the frontier
States, and the cause of its establishment in Mis
souri, Florida and Arkansas. Calhoun died bro
ken hearted also.
" Occasional, Thoughts." We wrote, a few
days ago, to a gentleman of our acquaintance, to
favor us with a few sketches from his pen of his
recollections of North Carolina. He had been a
resident of the State some years since, and we had
frequently heard him speak in glowing terms of
his stay in the Old North State : hence the reason
for our request.
In answer, our friend writes : " I cannot under
take the writing of any articles of ' Recollections
of the Old Noith State, for the reason, that while
the memory of the hospitable and generous feel
ings manifested to me, a transient resident, re
mains fresh and green, many of the incidents have
become indistinct through the dust of years, and I
lack at this time the skill of the artist to retouch
and bring to light their pleasing points. I will,
however, furnish some 4 Occasional Thoughts,' at
intervals, ranging from grave to gay, from lively
to severe,' and place them at your disposal."
The first of a few articles we have received ap
pears on our fourth page.
Writing Ink. "We have received from the
manufacturer, Mr. A. Lawson, of Lumberton, a
bottle of ' superior writing fluid, warranted to be
free of acids and gums, and not to corrode." We
recommend Mr. Lawson to advertise tho article,
as we feel assured our readers are always willing
to encourage home manufactures. 1
Speech; of John T G-Umore.
We publish in another column, from the Ral
eigh Standard, the excellent speech of the
Senator from Cumberland and Harnett,, de
livered in the State Senate, upon tire coalfields
Railroad bill. The material furnished" in the
subject for a masterly and uncommon effort had
ce
it
br
a'f
a just measure of appreciation at the hands of
PV
our representative, and although attended Dy
no practical result favorable to the project,
r
demonstrated that argument and power were
tL
not wanting as its auxiliaries. . - ";
With such a"graphic and forcible - presenta
tion as is set forth in this speech, the Legisla
ture was at least made sensible of the peculiar
I
merits of the Railroad Bill and its title-to their
bountv. and if disregarded in the end. mast so
fVd from influences more Dotential than tfii
power of reason or the dictates of wisdom.
The Ixqcsition Out dose. Prison Discip
line at Auburn, N. Y. Whenever a poor un
fortunate was subjected to the tortures of the In
quisition, a medical man was in attendance" lest i
the victim should be tortured beyond his powers
of endurance. No -so, in this enlightened age, in 4
the great State of New York, where it is with difcj
ficulty a jury of twelve men, with ample proof pej
fore them, can bo found who will prontjunee w
murderer guilty, averse ae-the;
penalty. At Auburn, a few days ago,
man named Moore, for merely threatening to do
violence to his keeper, was subjected to the usual
mode of punishment in that institution the show
er bath, and died from the effects of the torture.
Although this may be the first instance where
death has supervened from the cruelties practised
upon the prisoners, it is well known that blindness
and insanity have frequently resulted from them
and yet we hear scarcely a word of condemnation
, . , - i i i
from the host of philanthropists, who chronicle
cruelties said to be perpetrated by their neighbors,
but which exist only in their own bewildered im
aginings. Verily, they require reforming at the
North. ' j ;
We copy from a New York paper, a description
of tho mode of refined cruelty by which the man
was put to death :
" A cloth was placed about the neck-board of the
instrument of torture, which is said 'to raise the
water about the mouth and nose, thereby inducing
the horrid sensation of suffocation by drowning.'
In this caso the prisoner was unquestionably
killed by the punishment. That is to say, if he
had -not-been thus punished, he would now be liv
ing. From the testimony, it appears that his
death was a terribly cruel one. His hand was found
wrenched from its strong fastening. He had slip
ped from his seat. He was actually hung by the
neck in the stocks. All the water which the ope
rators had at hand about three barrels was ex
hausted, when it was proposed to take him out and
nut the ' yoke' upon him. 15ut death, more merci
fid than man, had already interfered iu behalf of
the wretched creature."
" Birds of a Feather," &c. II. F. Clark of
New York, and Z. B. Vance of this State, have
taken their seats on the Opposition side of the
House. Mr. Clark has selected his seat next to
that of Mr, Grow.
Stilt, they Come Although we have received
already much encouragement in a swelling list of
subscribers and Job patronage, we feel that we
still have strong claims foriurther evidence." of in
terest in the success of a Democratic paper in
Fayetteville. Now is the time for the friends of
the party to exert themselves so as to increase our
subscription list several hundreds on the com
mencement of the new year. We have resolved
to be unsparing in our efforts to make a paper
worthy of party support and ymblic xatronage.
The Legislature.1
HOUSE.
Saturday, Dec 11, 1858.
COALFIELDS RAILROAD.
On motion of Air McKay, the rules were
suspeuded and the bill taken up.
Air Williams moved to amend by striking
out $000,000, and inserting $100,000.
Air AlcKay drew attention the amount, per
mile, granted to other Railroads in the state,
and. that asked for by this bill. . He said the
amendment would compel the stockholders to
take oue half the stock ; but, in full confidence
of the result, he would accept the amendment.
The bill was recommitted to the committee on
internal improvements, to make the necessary
alteration.
new bills. V.
Mr Thompson, to charter Goldsboro' Mutual
Insurance Company.
Air Fleming, to amend the charter of the
town of Salisbury.
Air Stanford, to charter the town of Kenans-
ville.
BILLS & RESOLUTIONS.
The Speaker 'announced the following bills
and resolutions which were ratified. -
A bill to extend the time for registering
grants, deeds, and other conveyances.
A resolution approving the naval commis
sion of the United States to examine the coal
fields, and for other purposes. , .
A bill to prohibit betting on elections.
A bill to provide for the procuring of evi
dence against the keepers, owners and dealers
of Faro banks, Faro tables and gaming ta
bles. The bill to incorporate the Cowee Alining
and Alannfacturing Company passed its second
reading.
AIoxday, Dec. 13, 1858.
SENATE.
Air Brown, from the committee on Banks
and currency, reported in favor of the bill to
incorporate the Oak City savings Bank, with
amendments.
The following bills passed their second feed
ing :
The bill concerning Auctions and Auction
eers, i
The engrossed resolution relative to the dis
tribution of Dr Emmon's report.
HOUSE.
The resolution of Air Hill, of Halifax, repeal
ing the rule appointing Saturday for the dis
cussion and passage of private biils,,was adopt
ed. . :
The bill to charter the X. C. College at Ait.
Pleasant, Cabarrus countv, passed. Its third
reading. ;J
BILLS OX THEIR SECOND READIXG.
The bill to abolish the militia system. Re
jected.
Bill concerning deeds of trust. Rejected.
Bill requiring the clerks of the General As
sembly to take an oath of office, passed its sec
ond reading.
Bill incorporating the YyiJmington Hotel
company passed its. second reading. ,
pin authorizing Xae Justices of Cumberland
Sort to appoint a special term, passed
i reading, j
Tuesday, Dec. 14.
U " SENATE,
'a- Committee onsthe Judiciary reported a
"Swing Sheriffs till the first Court after
,Xet December. tF' make their settle
Tf .taxeajjitb the public treasurer. Also
against the passage of the bill to ap-"pt$-collectors
for the several counties.
.;Thomajr offered a resolution instructing
conur"" on the Judiciary to enquire into
,pedicflcy of authorizing the Governor to
rv for and collect the moneys due from the
government to the Cherokee Indians,
-pted.
Ir Leach introduced a bill to establish a
county by the name of King, Referred.
j he special order, the bill to abolish the
T 1 Citrau nf tha Stnte .miillimpd the
1 "ance of the session. Passed by a vote of
to 15. -
' J HOUSE.
In the House to day v pretty large quantity
.business was" done. The following bills were
. Iroduced:
ri Mr Moore, of New Hanover, a bill to create
Ti-flew county to be called Lillington, out of a
-of .New Hanover.
The bill to aid the Wilmington and Weldon
i I road company was rejected by of vote of 63
q 4t: ;
GISTjA-TIVE.
Conrespondent.
" Raleigh, Dec. 15, 1858.
Messrs Editors :
To-day the Bill to extend the aid of the State to the
Fayetteville and Western Railroad, was read in the
House of Commons, in the amended form, and laid up
on the table. It may now be taken up at any time by
a majority vote. The bill as amended provides for
an exchange of bonds with the State to the amount of
Four Hundred Thousand Dollars, provided the indi
vidual subscriptions tball amount to an equal sum.
The case ot Rev. w. F. laylor, ot Chatham, was
discussed, and decided in his favor by a very large
majority. His seat was contested on account of his
being a clergyman. The precedent is now established
that .a clergyman who has not the charge of a flock
may sit in the House of Commons as a member.
It is now ascertained that Hon. Thomas Ruffin, of
Alamance, accepts the office of Juage ot the Supreme
Court of North Carolina. Judge B., though seven y
two years of age, is still vigorous, and capable of se
vere labor. Iiis intellect unimpaired by age, and his
lofty integrity of character, eminently tit him for the
exalted station which the Legislature have assigned
him.
The rules of the House were suspended this morn
ing, in order to put upon its several readings a bill
authorizing a majority of the Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund to transact business. Heretofore the
law has required them all to te present to form a
quorum. The cause which gave rise to the passage of
the bill was the sickness of Hon. Weldon N. Edwards,
who has been seriously ill for some weeks past, at his
residence in Warren county. As it is highly impor
tant that the commissioners should make a report to
the legislature at an early day, it was thought proper
to authorize a majority to act.
The only election that I know of, yet to be held, is
that for fourteen trustees of the University. The elec
tion of a fourth Judge of the Supreme Court is talked
of. That court, as now constituted, is composed of
three uidges. The argument in favor of a fourth
Jndges this : 1, It will give greater efficiency to
the cout by increasing the number of" its working
membfs. 2, The adjudications of the court would
then rest on a firmer bais. To illustrate this last
position Suppose as the court is now constituted,
that a decisiou goes up from a very able Superior
Court Judge Suppose then that one of the ablest of
the Judges of the Supreme Court concurs in the de
cision of the Court below, the other t wo Judges over
ruling the decision. Then you have two able Judges
on one side of the question and two on the other. If
however the Supreme Court should consist of four
members, then there can never be an equal weight of
authority on both sides of a question, for if the Su
preme, Court should be equally divided, then the de
cision of the Court letow M.aitda as the law. and you
have the authority of three Judges against two.
Yesterday, a BM1 passed its second reading in the
House, repealing the law which provides for an Agri
cultural and Geological survey of the State. The
majori y for the Bill w s very large. The law pro
viding for the survey will undoubtedly be repealed.
To-morrow the case of Mrjllaywood, of Wake, will
again come up for consideration.
The House of Commons have adopted the rule of
meeting at o'cloek, A. M., and adjourning at 2
o'clock, P. M. This gives four working hours. The
evening is occupied by committees who are busily en
gaged in maturing business for the action of the
House. - Yours truly,
X. Y. Z.
Speech of Senator G-ilmore.
AIr. Speaker : As this is the proper time to
consider the objects and provisions of the bill,
I would ask the attention of the Senate, whilst
I make a few remarks in favor of its passage.
This is one of the most important measures that
has ever been presented to the Senate, or oc
cupied the attention of the people of the State.
It involves the great question of the extent and
value of the coalfields, and whether the article
of coal and iron ore exists in sufficient quanti
ties to justify the passage of the bill. The coal
fields on Deep river were known before the rev
olutionary war, and fragments of the iron then
manufactured may now be seen at one of the
mines. Afterwards the Crown issued letters
patent to a company to work the mines. This
company, having left the mother country, pro
ceeded on its way to the mines and reached
within some 30 or 40 miles of its destination,
when the disturbances in the State occurred,
and the company was compelled to return
This fact is established by the records of the
Board of Trade of Liverpool. The period re
ferred to must have been abont the time the
Resulators bejran. The coalfields were then
considered chieflv valuable for iron ore. Af
ter this the fame of the coalfields passed away
until 1851, when a Geologist was employed to
make a survey of the State and reported in
1852, by which public attention was called to
the subject again. Shortly after this report
was made, a controversy in the newspapers be
tween scientific gentlemen was carried on in
relation to the quantity of coal and ore and
the extent of the coalfields. This discussion
produced the deepest interest not only between
the parties themselves, but also among the
people of that section of the State. When
this controversy subsided, popular opinion fin
ally settled down in favor of those who main
tained that the coalfields were both rich and
abundant. After this the auger was applied,
the shaft sunk, and the coal and ore taken
up. At one of the mines, machinery costing
$50,000 dollars is now ready for the raising of
cal and ore as soon as means of transportation
are provided. These coalfields are 30 miles
long and from 3 to 6 miles wide. The quality
of the coal is superior to any it is free from
smut and sulphur, and is therefore not unheal
thy. It burns with a clear , light, containing
from 10 to 12 galJons of oil to the ton, and is
superior to any other coal in the production of
gas ; and when we take into consideration the
increased demand for that article in lighting
the cities, it forms no inconsiderable item in
estimating the value of this coal ; and, besides
this, the residuum of the coal after being burned
forms a coke of great value in the manufacture
of iron. The coal alone is sufficient to nlace
the State In the most prosperous condition. It
has been compared not only with the coals of
this country but of Europe, and has been pro
nounced superior to them all. In this day of
Improvement, when the boundary of knowledge
has been enlarged, and the arts and sciences
improved, it behooves ns to look to the inci
dental as well as the principal products of the
State. Coal IS-ao becoming more and mor$
abundant in its use, and is an indispensable fuel
por aiuiust, every steamer ; and when we look to
the constant incretse of steam power, we cannof
too highly estimate the great valo of these
coalfields-. There is no product upon the earth
so eagerly sought after by capitalists as that of
coal. - Gold and silver mines are liable to give
out they are uncertain but experience proves
that the quantity of coal can be more easily
ascertained and with greater certainty.
. But the coal is not all the iron ore is of in
calculable wealth, and is proven to be equally
extensive and abundant. There are five kinds
of ore, and among the number that which is
preeminently known as the blackband iron ore.
It is from this that the best Scotch pig iron is
made, and I think that is esteemed the best in
any market. To appreciate this matter prop
erly we should know the fact that this black
band ore has been found nowhere upon the
earth, except in Scotland and at these very
coalfields. This ore produces from 12 to 16
gallons of oil per ton, and at a very small ex
pense. The coal and ore are found together,
and in removing the one you necessarily remove
the other. These coalfields are nearer the
ocean than any others on the Atlantic slope.
Every Governor for the last ten years has re
commended the development of the resources
of the State. The Legislature saw its impor
tance, and hence about forty thousand dollars
have been expended in Geological surveys of
the State. Whatever doubts may have been
heretofore entertained in relation to the vast
quantity of coal and iron ore existing in these
mines, there can be none now. I can here re
fer with confidence to the naval commission
under Com. Wilkes, by whom an examination
was made, in reference to the establishment of
government machine shops at these very coal
fields, and upon the very best authority, by
letters in this city, it is beyond a doubt that
his report to the government will be of the
most favorable character.
We have no means of ascertaining certainly
the quantity of iron imported into the state,
but the lowest estimate that has been made by
those I have consulted, is $5,000,000, exclusive
of railroad iron. The duty upon iron is 20
per cent commissions, profits and freight will
exceed 10 per cent. ; making in all at least 30
per cent., which is abont $1,500,000, nearly
one third of the whole cost of the iron. If
then, this amount of iron should be manufac
tured in the state by our own citizens, it would
be an annual gain of $1,500,000 ; for even if
this iron should sell as high as the imported
iron, still the entire profit would be retained
in the state, and if manufactured by citizens
out of the state or by foreigners, there would
still be a very large expenditure out of this sum
which would enure to the benefit of the state,
for the wealth of the citizen is the wealth of
the state Assuming then, what I believe to be
true, that a large and populous town would be
created and extensive establishments erected
for the manufacture of iron, it follows necessa
rily that instead of the manufacture of $5,000,
000 worth of iron, it would become ten, fifteen
or twenty millions, and the increased advanta
ges to the state would be in the same increased
proportion.
No measure has ever been submitted to the
Senate, in which the interests of the state of
North Carolina have been so deeply involved.
Before the stockholders have asked any aid of
the state, $340,000 have been subscribed and
mostly expended upon the road, which is con
structed ot the very best material and promis
es to be equal to any road in the Union. The
bonds of private companies, all know, cannot
command high rates, whereas the bonds of the
state can. The company therefor propose an
exchange of bonds to the amount of $GOO,000.
The state is secured at every step. When 12
miles of the road is finished an exchange of
$100,000 is to take place ; and when the whole
road is finished an exchange of the last $100,
000 is to take place, and the State is to have a
lien upon the whole road, stock, houses and
lands, and if the company fail to pay the inter
est within 12 months after it is due, the State
is to take possession of all, and the same pro
vision is made in case ot failure to pay the
principal. lhis road differs from all other
roads in the state, for the freight is ready as
soon as the cars arrive. It is thought it will
pay 15 or 20 percent, on the amount of capi
tal invested ; and when we look at the fact that
the Reading road cost over $100,000 per tylle,
and pays 6 per cent., all must admit this c
:rfu
lation to be reasonable.
Air Speaker, the road under consideration is
43 miles long, 12 miles of it is in running order
and now in operation, and 8 miles mofC is grad
ed. A single tract is estimated to transport
five hundred thousand tons of coal annually,
and that coal would be worth at Wilmington
three million of dollars, and the transportation
of the coal is worth two dollars per ton, making
one mjllion of dollas-s. But some have said
that I must show that this coal can be shipped
and meet other coals successfully in northern
markets. This I will do. The cost of the coal
at the mines is one dollar per ton, which brings
it to three dollars per ton at Wilmington, and
freight to New York is two dollars and a half,
making in all five dollars and a half. This coal
can be sold in New York for seven dollars and
a quarter per ton, in quantities of a hundred
thousand tons, thus showing that it will bear
shipment and at a good profit.
I will now ask what must be the effect of all
this upon the localities and upon the state at
large ? The United States' Arsenal at Fay
etteville has been made an Arsenal of construc
tion, but can never become extensive in its ope
rations without the conpletion of this road, for
it is by this means only that coal and timber
can be supplied. It leads to one of the finest
limbered regions in the state. If this road
were completed, the general government would
make large appropriations to carry on the work
because it would be her interest to do so, and
Fayetteville would increase in population and
wealth. Wilmington would become a populous
city, and the enhanced value of real estate at
all three points and along the line, which would
greatly swell the amount of taxation, together
with a very great increase of the poll tax, form
considerations of vast importance to the reven- j
ue of the state, which ought not to be overlook
ed. In an able speech delivered by the Sena
tor from Guilford (Air GorrelH two years ago,
I think he estimated the amount of taxable
merchandize imported into twe state at thirteen
millions of dollars add to this the sum of two
millions not taxed all this, as well as the
iron imported into the state, must be paid in
exports or in money, which is liable to the
difference of exchange. Here, then, is a debt
of twenty millions subject to the deduction of
our exports. There are no certain means of
ascertaining the quantity or value of our ex
ports, but I have heard them estimated at ten
millions of dollars. This, then, would leave us
to pay exactly ten millions in money subject
to the difference of exchange ; add to all these
the'salc of state bonds and those of railroad com
panies, both amounting to several millions sub
ject to a loss in exchange. No state can pros
per long where the balance of trade is aerainst it.
That is the law of political economy from Adam
omitn down ; and there is no product on earth
which can be developed so cheap, so quick and
' so abundant as that of coal, and' hence it be-
comes the most important article in equalizing
the exchanges of the state.
Sir. if Georo-ia or South Carolina had treas
ures like these, they would have been heralded
to the world, and this very coal would, 'ere this.
have given motion to steamers in the seas oi
China, or to those of the South Tacific ocean.
These are the only mines of coal and iron ore
known in the- South Atlantic States. The day
may not be far distant when their, value may
be felt. Sir, you recollect the period of 1850,
when that lofty statesman, with giant mind,
stood in the midst of the Senate and gave
warning of the approaching danger when the
patriots of all parties rallied around him for
the safety of their country and when those
stars of the Union, which bad shown so brilli
antly in peace and in war, began to grow dim.
You recollect, sir, the period of 1856, when
again those stars began to lose their accustom
ed lustre, and the heart of every lover of his
country throbbed for its safety. If, sir, those
stars should ever fade away, aud those stripes
be torn asunder if this Union should be dis
olved then may I ask where is your iron to
cast your cannon and your ball, and what will
put in motion- your infant navy 1 Sir, I do not
speak of this to harrow up the feelings of the
Senate I trust it may never be ; but such has
been the fate of other governments, and
such may be the fate of ours. In whatever as
pect this measure is viewed, 'tis marked with
interest to the state. If passed, North Caro
lina will become the richest of the southern
States.
Sir, we have advocated almost every meas
ure of internal improvement. I appeal to tlitf
extreme East. We sustained yoa in your
greatest work we stood by you in your Albe
marle and Chesapeake Canal will you stand
by ns now ? I appeal to those on the long
hue of the Raleigh aud Gaston Road. We
stood by you at your natal hour and sustained
you, and that too at a time when it required a
mind to conceive and a nerve to execute the
members from Cumberland voted for your road, .
and returned home to meet an astonished peo
ple, lhey justified the act and were sustained.
Will you too stand by us now ? I appeal to
the West. We have stood by you from the
beginning to the end, and never deserted you.
anneal to the friends of internal improvc-
yrovement. We have stood by yon all. I ap
peal through the Hon. Senator of New Han
over, (Air Ashe.) He has devoted his time,
his services, his talents, to your cause. I ap
peal through my friend from Bladen, (Mr Alc
Dowell.) who in like manner, has sustained you
upon every occasion, though he asked for noth
ing, and his people wanted nothing. I appeal
through our own great and lamented Dobbin,
whose metallic voice held the Commons in sus
pense, and whose eloquence delighted the ear
and captivated the heart ; but that voice is
heard no more 'tis hushed in the deep silence
of death, and the eloquence of my country is
buried in his tomb. Will you turn your back
upon your most ancient ally, who stood by you
in your infancy, followed you in your progress
and gloried in your ascension, until you have
now become the ruling power in the State ?
Gratitude was the highest, the noblest virtue
of the Romans ; yea, it was the brightest jewel
in the rich diadem of virtues ; and bright as
was that jewel then, it is as brilliant here to
day as it ever was in the proud Senate of the
commonwealth of Rome. When the illustrious.
Cicero proclaimed that gratitude was the moth
er of virtues, he rendered his fame more immor
tal than he ever did by his masterly defence of
Alilo, or his unrivaled phillipies against Cata
I i ue. Sir, it is not tny voice you hear upon
this occasion. It is but the echo of 1,815
voters who have sent me here.' It is the Uni
ted voices of the comities of Cumberland and
Harnett. In making these appeals here to day
it is to show where we havo stood, and where
we are now. I place this great work upon
higher ground. Stern justice is all that wo
desire more than that we do not ask, und less
than that you ought not to give. We have
passed resolutions unanimously instructing our
Senators, and requesting our Representatives
to use all proper means in procuring the estab
lishment of work shops by the General Gov
ernment for the manufacture of machinery and
a National Foundry, to be located at the coal
fields. If this bill should pass, ensuring a
speedy outlet to the ocean, the General Govern
ment would be encouraged speedily to com
mence the work. If we fail to pass it, our
own confidence will be distrusted. No mea
sure has ever been presented to the Legisla
ture that came with the same merit, or occupied
the same elevated position. In the Gubernato
rial canvass it was proclaimed in almost every
county in the State, from the remotest confines
of Cherokee to the distant shores of the Atlan
tic. It was heard upon the mountains, in the
valleys, and in the towns ; and no opposing
voice disturbed the harmony of the souud.
The rival candidates both sustained the mea
sure, and it was carried in triumph through the
state. In candor and in truth I can say, it was
approved and ratified by the people. Alay I
not here appeal in. confidence to those Senators
who feel themselves trammelled by their con
stituents, and ask if this does not show conclu
sively that this measure was not regarded by
them as leading to an involvement of the state?
If this bill should pass, it will beeome the most
popular measure ever presented to the people.
I trust the Senate will sustain it, and rally
around it, as they would the flag of their coun
try's safety.
Sir, if I were ambitious to live in the recol
lection of posterity to connect my name in
dissolubly with the State, and to create a fame
which should endure as long as her history
should survive, I would ask no higher claim
than to record my name in favor of the passage
of this bill.
I would here do injustice to my own feelings,
were I not to retur.i my warmest thanks to
the Senate, for the kind and indulgent manner
in which I have been heard on this occasion.
THESE Scales are now
regarded as the Stan
dard For Correct Weight
and are in use by nearly
every Railroad Company,
Merchant, and manufactur
ing establishment through
out the country. The re
putation which these Scales
have acquired has heen of
steaiiy giowth from the
commencement to the pres
ent time, and is based upon
the principle adopted by
us, and never deviated from
of allowing none but per
fect WEIOHIXO MACHINES to
go fofth from our establish
ment. We have more than one
hundred modifications of
these Scales, adapted to the
wants of every department
of business where a correct
and durable Scale is re
quired. Call and examine, or send
for an illustrated circular.
FAIRBANKS & CO.
18i) Broadway,
New-Yokk.
FAIKBANKS'
SCALES.
FAIRBANKS'
SCALES.
FAIRBANKS'
SCALES.
FAIRBANKS'
SCALES
FAIRBANKS'
SCALES.
FAIRBANKS'
SCALES.
FAIRBANKS'
SCALES.
FAIRBANKS'
SCALES.
J. $ P. DAWSON, Agts.
CHARLESTON, S. C.
Oct, 16th 1858, 4in-pd