| From the Greensboro (N. C.) Patriot |
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| February 13, 1862 |
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| The Piedmont Railroad |
| We had the pleasure, on Thursday of last
week, of witnessing the final passage of a charter for a Railroad to
connect the North Carolina Road with the Richmond & Danville Road;
in other words, the passage of the long sought Greensboro' and
Danville Road. We have not carefully read the Charter: but learn that
it passed substantially as drawn up by the Hon. John A. Gilmer; and
although, we believe the Charter does not state, in so many words,
that it is to start from Greensboro' and go to Danville, yet friends
and foes in the discussion assumed those to be the points of the Road.
The impression at Raleigh appeared to be, that the Road would be built
at an early day. |
| It was particularly gratifying to us to
see the unanimity of the Western Members of the Convention on this
important measure. Every delegate West of Raleigh who was in his seat
when the yeas and nays were taken, with the exception of Gov. Graham
and Capt. Berry of Orange, and Mr. Merritt of Chatham, if we mistake
not, voted for the Charter. And it was also very gratifying to us to
see so many of the most prominent and talented delegates from the East
laying aside old prejudices, and uniting with those Western delegates
in resisting the factious opposition exhibited by some Eastern friends
to defeat the Road. The members from Guilford, Rockingham, Alamance,
Randolph, Davidson, Forsyth, Stokes, and other contiguous counties,
all united cordially in the passage of the ordinance. Mr. Gilmer who
drew the Charter, was untiring in his efforts for its passage. Judge
Ruffin will be gratefully remembered by posterity for the valuable
services he rendered in getting this ordinance through the Convention,
unencumbered by obnoxious amendments. The Hon. Geo. E. Badger and Wm.
W. Holden, Esq., of Wake, did themselves much credit in overleaping
the prejudices existing in the City of Raleigh, and taking an enlarged
view of the measure, giving it the benefit of their influence and
votes. |
| We will not indulge in harsh language
against those who in the honesty of their hearts opposed this charter
and used fair and honorable means for its defeat; but the factious
opposition exhibited by a few as shown by the numerous obnoxious
amendments offered, and parliamentary tactics resorted to, to
embarrass and delay its passage, after they saw and admitted that
there was a clear majority in its favor and that it would finally
pass, cannot fail to receive the condemnation of a high-minded and
magnanimous people. |
| We look upon this enterprise as a great
National work, and we feel confidante that a few years experience will
dissipate the fears entertained by some, of its having an injurious
effect on the prosperity of other works of internal improvements and commercial
interests of the State. We feel confident that the wisdom of this
measure will, in less than five years from its completion, be
universally admitted by all sections of our State and Confederacy. |
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