| From the Lancaster (S. C.) Ledger |
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| April 3, 1861 |
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| Redeem your Pledges |
| The books of subscription to the Central Railroad
{of South Carolina} were opened at this
place on Monday. Our citizens are aware that within ten days from the
time of opening, they will be closed. They it will be known whether
Lancaster has redeemed the pledges which she made last Summer, or has
repudiated them. Every one must see that it is an important moment with
us; not only does the success of an enterprise which promises to entail
important benefits upon us depend upon our action within the next few
days, but the good faith -- the credit of the District and the honor or
every individual who assisted to inaugurate the movement, are involved
with it. Men may seek by various excuses to elude their duty in the
premises; but revolve it as we may, the plain truth cannot be disguised
that each individual who subscribed to the enterprise last Summer, is as
much bound, in honor, to redeem his pledge now, as he would be to
respond to a note of hand given for a valuable consideration. Some
worthy examples were given on Monday; let them be imitated by others;
let it never be said that the citizens of Lancaster have broken faith
among themselves and violated a solemn compact with sister Districts. |
| We have assurances that encouraging efforts are being
made in other Districts. The last issue of the Sumter Watchman
contains an editorial on the subject, from which we make the following
extracts: |
| Notwithstanding the failure so far to secure a charter
from North Carolina, we are reliably informed that the North Eastern
Railroad Company will not hesitate to come up to full measure of their
promises, which were first only contingent on the granting a charter to
the town of Charlotte, N. C. This company, if we are only true to our
engagements will come manfully to the work. That we will do our part we
will not permit ourselves to doubt. |
| The shares are fifty dollars each -- one dollar on each
share to be paid in at the time of subscribing. The whole amount cannot
be called in in less time than two years after the organization of the
company. With this as with all Railroads, planters will be allowed to
work out their subscriptions at the usual prices, perhaps a little being
called for at the outset to pay the necessary expenses of surveying, &c.
The books of subscription will all be forwarded to the commissioners at
Sumter, who will determine the time and place of the first meeting of
stock holders. |
| A few short months will develop the entire emptiness of
Black Republican threatnings, and witness the full introduction of our
new Confederacy into the great family of nations, and at peace with all
the world (the Yankees perhaps excepted) and cotton from 15 to 20 cents
a pound, we will be on the high road to a most unbound prosperity, and
build the Central Road too, without feeling the out-lay. |
| Let us then see to it that we all come up to the work
in the true spirit, and prove that in our vocabulary at least, there is
no such word as "fail." |
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