| From the Raleigh Standard |
| |
| December 11, 1861 |
| |
| For the Standard |
| Railroad Meeting |
| At a large and enthusiastic meeting of
citizens of the county of Rockingham, North Carolina, convened at
Reidsville, on the 28th of November, 1861; on motion, Alfred Reed,
Esq., was called to the Chair, and James Irvin and Joseph Holderby,
were requested to act as Secretaries. |
| By request, Col. John H. Dillard explained
the object of the meeting; and before taking his seat, showed in his
usual felicitous style, the importance and great necessity of a
connection between the Richmond & Danville and the North Carolina
Roads, both in a commercial and military point of view. |
| When he concluded, Dr. T. W. Keen was
called for, who responded in a few pertinent and well timed remarks,
saying that he had nothing to add to what had been so eloquently
uttered by Col. Dillard, except to endorse, as he did most heartily,
all that had been said by him -- and that he took that occasion, to
tender his own and the thanks of this community to President Davis for
his notice of this section of the old North State. |
| On motion, the Chairman appointed a
committee of ten persons, to draft resolutions for the consideration
of the meeting, as follows: |
| Col. John H. Dillard, Fr. T. W. Keen, Robt.
P. Richardson, Esq., Dr. W. J. Courts, Dr. E. M. Powell, Capt. J. A.
Bennett, Dr. B. S. Patrick, John C. Rainey, Esq., Col. S. H. Boyd, and
J. Holderby, Esq., who, through Col. Dillard, reported as follows: |
| Whereas, We have believed for many years,
that a connection between the Richmond & Danville Railroad, and
North Carolina Central Road, was a matter of vital importance to this
portion of our State, and that the interest of both of the aforesaid
Roads would be much enhanced by such connection; and, as we are now
engaged in war, we believe the necessity for the immediate connection
of these Roads, must be apparent to every friend of the South;
therefore, |
| Resolved, That we have read with
pleasure, the message of President Davis, in which he clearly
recommends the connection of the Richmond & Danville with the
North Carolina Central Road -- said connection to be made at Danville
and Greensboro'. |
| Resolved, That while we have our
individual preferences as to the location of said Road, yet, we pledge
ourselves, whenever a charter shall be granted by the States of
Virginia and North Carolina, or by the Confederate Congress of
America, to give all the influence we possess, and all the material
aid we can command, to the early construction of said Road, wherever
it may be located by a competent Engineer selected for that purpose. |
| Resolved, That our representatives
in Congress, and our delegates to our State Convention, be, and they
are hereby requested, to use their influence to have this Road
constructed at the earliest period possible. |
| All of which were adopted by acclamation. |
| On motion of Col. J. H. Dillard, the
Secretaries were requested to furnish a copy of the foregoing
resolutions to Col. R. C. Puryear and to our delegates to our State
Convention. |
| On motion of S. A. Ratliff, Esq., the
Secretaries were requested to forward copies of these proceedings to
the Editors of Richmond, Danville and Greensboro' papers, with request
that they publish the same, and that all other papers favoring the
enterprize, be requested to copy them. |
| Alfred Reed, Chm'n |
| J. Irvin, Secretary |
| J. Holderby, Secretary |
|