| From the Charleston Mercury |
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| January 21, 1862 |
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| The Railroad Interest in the South |
| The Richmond Examiner says:
"It is certain that the South cannot become truly independent
until the natural resources of the country become fully developed by
means of easy and expeditious transportation of passengers, mails, and
freights through every section of the country. It has been suggested
that the very existence of the war makes the present a most favorable
period for pushing forward the various railroad enterprises of the
South, so far at least as excavation, embankments and road-bed
construction generally is concerned. If there should be no cotton
planted this year, or a very reduced crop planted, three-fourths of
the slaves would be a sufficient force to raise ample provisions and
clothing for home use and for market. The remaining fourth could, in
twelve months, build beds for railroads wherever there is authority
for building them. The stock of these roads would, as a
investment, pay more, and no doubt quite as speedily, as an
overwhelming stock of cotton with which to glut the markets of the
world; and every planter residing or owning lands contiguous to a
projected railroad, might put a portion of his plantation force to
work upon it, receiving stock of the company for his
remuneration." |
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