The Asheville Citizen

For the Asheville Cavalry,

"RIVER ROUTE VERSUS CITY ROUTE."

A second exhibition of spleen and epistolary slush from the Crab Tree bushwhackers demands a short consideration. The literary guerrillas have so far disclosed their ear marks as to be recognized, though they have not the courage and manhood to step out from ambush and face the music.

The good looking disciple of physic who leads the onslaught, and his man Friday who supplies the gall, in their hydrophobic ravings eject a surprising amount of personal venom, and will now evidently rest easier. This evacuation of bile during dog days is highly advantageous to their jaundiced systems, and it is hoped that a rapid convalescence will follow. If, however, a relapse should be overtaken, a thing not probable without a greater degree of activity, prompt and active treatment should be given.

The following will be found efficacious:

Spirits of Discretion 3 oz., powdered extract of Prudence 1 oz., oil of Veracity 1 gal., mix; simmer over the fire of Amiability and filter through the unvarnished orifices of Truth. Drink freely.

Bathe the entire surface affected with a strong mixture of Wisdom 1 pt., Essence of Knowledge 1 oz., and a sufficient quantity of fluid Extract of Truthfulness to promote healthy action of the maxillaries. If friction is desired, use number three sand paper, being careful to follow the grain. It might be well to compound a vigorous cerebrum astringent to apply if symptoms of cranial enlargement return, and all smothering attacks, produced by new surveys of proposed railroad, may be readily relieved by frequent hypodermic injections of Contentment, highly flavored with doubly distilled Common Sense. N. B. Shake well before using. None genuine unless the letters C. K. & W. R. R. blown on the bottle.

But facetiousness aside, let us examine that "careful analysis," and ponderous conclusions deduced therefrom. This Greek and Latin combination says:

"Some time ago the Courier said, the road would be built as per agreement, now he says, 'there was no agreement, no contract, nothing binding—the company can locate where they please, and no agreement will be violated.'"

Just so, and so the Courier says now, and if your sagacity was as acute as your impudence, a deal of bombastic exclamations might have been saved. There is no incongruity of facts in this statement which we reiterate. The C. K. & W. R. R. will be built "as per agreement," and there was no official agreement defining the direction through the county. The contract, which we quoted from the records, and which you dared not assail or even notice, is all that a court can take cognizance of, and gives the company the privilege of following any line desired in direction specified. All this spasmodic harperings about "fraud" and verbal promises, are merest bosh. If the caustic gentlemen were as well posted in law as they claim to be in home made Greek and Latin they would know that no oral agreement is of any force as against a written contract, and that this recorded instrument, and this alone, was what the people "sealed with their votes."

If the gentlemen voted upon a promise or agreement other than the one quoted, they were sadly misled and are to be pitied, but there is no remedy. Ignorantia legis neminem excusat. The law will hold the people and the company to that contract as advertised to the world and endorsed by the suffrages of the required majority. As will be observed, the line may be located anywhere, so it goes "through the county," North and South, and the "shortest," "cheapest" and "most direct route," is a matter wholly with the company, and over which our disgruntled friends have no more to do than with the color of the depots the company erect.

But, these self styled champions of the people's rights, who presume to dictate to the company just the most available route, affirm that they "make no hint or reference to the Georgia construction company," oh no; but in the very next breath say, the whole object of the Jonathan survey has been to make that line the shortest regardless of cost," basely insinuating that it was the full determination of the company to go by Waynesville at whatever expense!

Beautiful consistency indeed! What a pity the construction company did not employ these topographical hydrosopherics to draft the outline of the route! What a saving of muscle and money, and valuable time!

The Courier is not wedded to any particular route, the assertions of the nondescripts to the contrary notwithstanding. The different surveys have been given as reported to us, and we fail to see where they differ materially from the official figures. It has an opinion founded upon semi-official facts—an opinion endorsed by a very respectable portion of the tax payers of the county, and this opinion is worth just as much as that of the outraged twain from Crab Tree—no more, no less. Neither or none of which will have one atom of influence in directing the line of the proposed road, now wholly in the hands of the company, which, go where it may, "through the county," as specified in contract, up Pigeon, Jonathan, Richland, Raccoon or any other valley, will be accepted as satisfactory to us. Now, will our unduly exorcised brethren, who threaten to rebel if left out in the cold, magnanimously say as much?

Editor Courier.

Waynesville, N. C., July 25, '88.