North Carolina Standard

RALEIGH AND GASTON ROAD.

The writer, over the signature of "Franklin," whose communication we publish in another column, has evidently mistaken the design and tendency of one of our recent articles in relation to the reconstruction of this Road. The aim and design of that article was to arouse the attention of all concerned to the importance of the proposed work, and to call forth something of a more decided and effective nature from the friends of this work, than mere words and promises in public meetings. We have had enough words and promises—subscriptions must be made, if the Road is to be rebuilt. We spoke, in that article, to Franklin, Granville, Warren, Norfolk, and Petersburg; and we endeavored to show that this place had already well nigh performed its duty in relation to the enterprise. We alluded to probabilities, by way of stimulating those who appear to be backward in the matter, and who have not, as yet, we regret to say, shown a determination to take care of their own interests.

We shall offer no apology for the statement, in that article, that the Wagoners were getting good prices for hauling, and that they deserved them. We are as friendly to the Wagoners as we are to the Rail Roads, and we rejoice in the prosperity of each and all. And if the Wagoners are receiving good prices along the line of the Gaston Road, with the prospect of a continuance of these prices and an increase of their business, whose fault is it? Are they to be blamed for it? Surely not—nor is the Gaston Road, which has been doing all it possibly could, in its dilapidated condition, to bring up the freight and meet the public demands.

A crisis like this calls for plain language. The old stockholders and the public have been offered, in the Charter of the Gaston Road, fair and liberal terms; and if the Road is not reconstructed, under that Charter, the fault will not rest with the State. We have been informed, on good authority, that Petersburg will take at least one hundred thousand dollars of the stock; and we see that a meeting on the subject has been called there by the Mayor, and was to have been held yesterday. But that will leave some two hundred and fifty thousand still unsubscribed. Who will take it? Norfolk may subscribe one hundred thousand, and she may not. We put it to "Franklin" himself to say, under these circumstances, if we are not justified, as a friend of the work, in speaking plainly on the subject generally, and strongly of the probabilities which may be involved.

We have given place with pleasure to the communication of "Franklin," though he takes us somewhat to task for some of our expressions. A free and full discussion of the matter is needed, and we shall cheerfully publish such communications on the subject as may be sent us. We hope, however, that the next letter we may get from "Franklin," will be one announcing that the people of Franklinton and vicinity have subscribed twenty thousand dollars to the work.