| From the Yorkville (S. C.) Enquirer |
| |
| March 21, 1861 |
| |
| The Dallas Connection |
| We have said that it is to the
interest of the Charlotte & Columbia {Charlotte &
South Carolina RR} as well as South Carolina railroad, to take
stock in the proposed road to Dallas; we propose now to show how this is
the case. It is well known that our last Legislature granted a charter
for the Central Railroad which is to pass through Sumter and Camden and
terminate at Lancaster. This road connects with the South Carolina road
at Gourdin's Turn Out; and from present indications will assuredly be
extended from Lancaster to Charlotte. This, when effected, will give
Charlotte a connection with Charleston independently of the Charlotte
and Columbia, and for the most part independently of the South Carolina
railroad. These two roads will then have an important rival in the
Central; for the distance between Charlotte and Charleston by either
route, is about the same. The Charlotte and Lincolnton road, now in the
process of building, and the Western Extension which is destined to
reach Rutherford, will tap Gaston, Cleveland, Lincoln, Rutherford and
other counties, and carry their trade to Charlotte, where the chances
will be good for it to take the Central road, even when its destination
is Charleston. |
| Now, if a railroad is built to
Dallas, thence to Lincoln, and ultimately to Newton and Morganton, a
large portion of the trade of these counties, both to and from
Charleston, will pass by Columbia and this place. The Charlotte and
Columbia road, will, therefore, enjoy the benefits of their trade 65
miles -- that is, from Columbia to Chester -- and the South Carolina
road, all its length from Columbia to Charleston. This trade would seek
this channel, for the simple reason that Yorkville is on a beeline
between Charleston and Morganton, and the roads in question make but a
very small elbow with each other at Columbia. |
| Another thing for these roads
to take into consideration is the keep rivalship which is destined to
exist between Charleston and Wilmington, as the markets and emporiums of
trade for Western North Carolina. From Charlotte, produce is about as
likely to go to the one as the other, prices being equal. But for
counties westward of Charlotte, Charleston is the natural market; and
all that is wanted to make it their real and permanent market, is the
proper railroad connection. This desirable end will be forwarded by the
road to Dallas; and it is, therefore, a matter of standing interest that
this road should be built, not only to the railroads referred to, but
likewise, and even in a greater degree, to the city of Charleston
itself. |
| These remarks are predicated
on the assumption that North Carolina will ultimately take her place in
this Confederacy. If she remains where she is, Wilmington must needs
become her great medium of seaward importations and exportations. It is,
however, perfectly safe, we deem, to proceed upon the assumption which
we have made. The failure of "convention" in the late election, is
ominous of her future action. Gov. Ellis, it is rumored, has already
issued his proclamation, convening the Legislature in extra session; and
the purpose of its meeting will be to calla Convention. The people of
the State are now prepared to act -- they will be more so when the time
comes to vote again; and they will choose delegates who will promptly
enact secession. |
| We sincerely hope, however,
that our people will come forward at once, and subscribe for stock
sufficient to build this road to the line. We are of the opinion that it
will prove a handsomely paying investment; and we prefer that the
profits should be distributed at home, rather than accrue to other
railroad companies. From every source we learn that the people of Gaston
are alive to this enterprise. Let York show in behalf of her best
interests, an equally enlightened zeal. The time has come when people
must have their railroads, or get clearly behind the age. |
|