Journal of the Internal Improvement Convention : which met at Raleigh, on the 4th of July, 1833 together with The Address of the Committee of that body

              29
M(hicl» our earth abounds must lie undisturbed and even unexplored.
Men c;iTi riot be well induced to labor for more than they Ciin con-
Sui;e, unii'ss the surplus may be conveniently excianged for the
commodities which refi'-emer.t has made valuible, or can be stored,
up in accumulations for the winterof age or the wants of posterity.-
While production is tiius kept b^ck, there is iteither supply nor de-mand
for commercial capital. The products actually made, because
of tile costs of transportation, are of little value, and there is there-fore
no increase of agricultural capital. Slovenly farming, slender
traffic and a languid circulation, general want of enterprise, inactivity
and listl<"ssiiess become habitual, and generation succeeds generation
with scarcely a perceptible improvement in weaMh, manners, >cieiice
or the arts. If by a sudden dispensation of Providence, the shoalfs
which endanger and impede our maritime navigation were removed,
an<i the various streams which intersect our State were rendered fit
for the purposes of conveyance from their very sources, all will ad-mi',
that we should spring forward with resistless energy to tiie con-
'SUTimatioo of our hopes. The impulse given to business of every
sort would be felt; in every section of the State and in every depart-me
»)t of industry. | 'Let children indulge in day dreams ; but it is for
m n to enquire whether they have not the power of supplying the de-ficiencies
of nature, and of acquiring by their own exertions what for
wi»e purposes \vas originallv denied. Obstacles surmounted and
difficulties subdued, as they are the best trials, so they become the
noblest triumphs of virtue, intellect and courage. Often the most
eminent among men have been trained up to fortitude and wisdom in
the school of adversity ; and the most illustrious of nations have usu-ally
passed through the stages of infancy and childhood, struggling
for existence, gradually gaining and constdidating their strength, and
by severe trials acquiring the qualifications and forming the habits
which were to be displayed in the maturity of manhood- " Heaven
giants the gifts it grants the power to gain." Is the navigation of
our rivers obstructed ? To a considerable extent and with no mighty
effort, we can remove these obstructions. Where these are not re-movable,
or the streams are too shallow for boat navigation, or strieams
are wanting, experience has shewn, that the Canal and still more the
Rail way, furnish better means of conveyance. As in no country
ar'f' ihese more needed, so in none can they be ma<iearless expense.
The process of effecting speedy and ^afe communications with the
ocean h#fs already commenced amongst us under the happiest auspi-ces.
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 despondency.
We are aware that inju-iicious att'-mpts heretofore made in the
fCause et Internal Improvements have prejudiced many against the