FARMERS' REGISTER— INTERNAL iMPROVExMENT. 



253 



can they be made at less expense. The process 

 of effecting speedy and safe communications with 

 the ocean has already commenced amongst us un- 

 der the happiest auspices. Art in this respect, 

 signally triumphing over nature — dredge boats 

 are removing in hours the slow accumulation of 

 years ; and we announce to you with joy that the 

 day is not distant when our main outlets to the 

 sea will afford ready passage to vessels of sufficient 

 burden for all ordinary commercial purposes. — 

 There is then ample room for exertion, but there 

 is no cause for despondence. 



We are aware that injudicious attempts, hereto- 

 fore made in the cause of Internal Improvements, 

 have prejudiced many against the renewal of any 

 efforts at improvement. But prejudice is a 

 wretched counsellor, whether it seeks to conceal 

 the selfishness of the sordid and the fears of the 

 timid, or is seen in the apathy of the sluggard, or 

 speaks in the sneers of the scorner. We have at- 

 tempted too many plans at once — we have flittered 

 away our means over too great a space, and have 

 expended much money in many silly schemes. 

 Let us then profit by experience. Let it teach 

 us caution, judgment, and a proper applica- 

 tion of our resources. Let it guard us against 

 the recurrence of former errors, but never let it 

 repress exertion in the cause of duty. Others 

 have, by a well devised and spirited course of In- 

 ternal Improvements, brought incalculable bles- 

 sings on their country. And why may not we.' 

 Are the people of this state, by some irreversible 

 interdict of Providence, disqualified for improving 

 their condition? If so, in what does this incapacity 

 consist.' Do they want mental energy.' Look 

 abroad and see the sons of North Carolina, where- 

 ever a field is presented, contending gallantly in 

 every department of manly excellence for the 

 palm of victory. We have been called an unpre- 

 tending state, and long may it be before a wretched 

 self-conceit shall cause that epithet to be exchang- 

 ed for one less equivocal and far more to be ab- 

 horred. But if it were not a want of pretension — 

 it would be self-degradation, ingratitude to G»d, 

 and treachery to ourselves — to admit any inferi- 

 ority for good or great purposes to the proudest 

 among the members of this L'nion. Do we want 

 the pecuniary ability .' If we were called on to 

 raise at once a large sum of money to be sunk in 

 the ocean, or transmitted to a distant land, it may 

 be conceded that we could, with difficulty com- 

 ply with the requisition, and should severely feel 

 the loss. 



But it is among the striking effects of this sys- 

 tem to which we invite your attention, that it dis- 

 burses within the community what the communi- 

 ty furnishes, and returns speedily and in abun- 

 dance all which it exacts. From the moment of 

 its commencement, it creates neighborhood mar- 

 kets for labor, materials and provisions, and throws 

 out money into brisk circulation. As it proceeds, 

 it not only contributes by its profits to pay the in- 

 terest on advances, but it extends more and more 

 the sphere of activity; so that, independently of 

 the immense benefits which it promises in the end, 

 it pays in its progress by the excitement which it 

 communicates to industry, and the impulse which it 

 imparts to business of every description. Money 

 thus employed is not sunk nor lost ; but is money 

 put out at compound interest. Such a course of 

 expenditure and restitution is like that of the 



blood in a young and vigorous body. It gushes 

 forth from the great reservoir, the heart, and is 

 propelled through the arteries to the very extre- 

 mities, enriching and strengthening the entire sys- 

 tem in its course, but is returned by the veins to 

 be again and again sent forth in a round of life- 

 giving circulation. Our very poverty, then, the 

 result as has been seen of unrewarded labor, lan- 

 guid trade and limited production, is the strongest 

 reason which can be urged for engaging zealously 

 in the system. The one vanishes as the other 

 comes forward. True, we must have, or procure, 

 wherewith to begin the experiment. But here 

 there is no real difficulty- If each one amongst 

 you will consent to set apart half of what he can 

 spare without inconvenience to his family ; if he 

 who has not money will be ready to make his ad- 

 vance in timler, food, or work, we shall at once 

 have a capital more than sufficient for the under- 

 taking of every useful enterprise. But the state 

 treasury ought to aid, and if you say so, will aid in 

 their accomplishment. Why has a public revenue 

 been collected, if it is not to be used, and where is 

 the advantage of public credit, if it is not to be 

 employed for the public good ; and where is the 

 service in which either can be more beneficially 

 engaged? Is the character of the state part of 

 the property of every one of its citizens ? Does 

 his heart throb with honest joy when he hears it 

 mentioned with respect, or do his veins tingle with 

 vexation when it is spoken of in the tone of taunt 

 and derision ? 



Then tell your legislature, who have this holy 

 treasure in their keeping, that in these days, when 

 the spirit of improvement is abroad, and the strife 

 for pre-eminence in the arts of life is carried on 

 with chivalrous emulation, no state has character 

 that advances not in this career. Are the em- 

 ployment of the poor, the encouragement of the 

 industrious, and the comforts of all classes of the 

 community, objects worthy of the care of a pater- 

 nal government? Would you furnish the means 

 to instruct the ignorant, and lay deep the founda- 

 tions of republican government in the education of 

 every free child within your borders, however 

 humble his origin or destitute his condition ? 

 Would you stay the flood of emigration which is 

 sweeping from you by thousands the most adven- 

 turous of your youth, and remove the necessity 

 which bids them abandon the home of their child- 

 hood and the graves of their fathers for some dis- 

 tant land where scope is to be found for exertion, 

 and reward is offered to enterprise? Would you 

 bring the grazier and the miner of the west, and 

 the planter and farmer of the interior, into com- 

 munion with the merchant and mechanic of the 

 seabord, and unite the integral but dissevered parts 

 of North Carolina into one brotherhood of interest, 

 feeling and patriotism? Would you command for 

 her that respected station among the states of this 

 Union she ought to occupy, and assure to her a 

 fair share in all its honors and of all its benefits? 

 These — all these great, and good, and glorious 

 purposes you may accomplish, but you can 

 accomplish them in one way only. Internal 

 Improvement has effected them elsewhere — and 

 can can effect them here. But it is for you to 

 give the impulse. Instruct your representatives 

 to organize, and to prosecute with vigor a liberal 

 system of Internal Improvements. Direct them 

 to cause to be ascertained the best plans for crea- 



