Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-11-26


rich proiusion and abundance. Nature
has been munificent towards this favored
region. Already has much been done in
the onward progress of this country -
Here all the articles TO clothe and feed
mankind are produced, not only in sufti-
Client abundance for our wants, and for
that of the United States, but their sup
ply demands the market of the world TO
consume. Cotton, breadstufs, lead, SUI
gar, tar and turpentne, ginseng, and other
articles too numerous TO mention, all seek
a market both at home and abroad. In a
short time, also, your fertile valleys and
extensive praifes will have undergone
further Improvements and extension, -
Your cotton and hreadstuffs will have great
ly increased in quantity, at the same time
Texas will have added greatly to the
manufacture of Sugar.
The great question then, gentlemen,
now approach. How shall are derclope
these great resourcesP How shall we
bring into active use the munifcent gifts
of nature here provided, whether on the
surface or in the bowels of the earlh2
There is one thing needful that is, that
you shall get a fair price for all your pro.
duce. This will make this region the gar
den of the world. Now, how will you do
this There is but one course, VIZ: a
commensurate extension of your market.
This again can be done only in one way.
That is by free and ready transit be-
tween this region and the several States
Of the Union, and beyond that with the
rest Of the world
Here, gentlemen, would remark, in
tend no establishment. We have met for
business purposes, and for such an end the
present remarks shall endeavor 10 make
practical.
How shall we effect this cheap and per-
feet transit for persons and merchandise
Gentlemen, nature has been eminently
propitious TO US. First, we have the mighty
Mississippi and its tributaries. 1t will be
your part TO see that these shall be so aid
ed by art, as TO give the utmost facility
for their navigation. How, then, shall
your valley and the Southern Atlantic CT
ties be united We have, at present, on
ly coasling voyage round the shores of
The Gulf Of Mexico. This ought TO be
made secure in peaceful times-more es
peciaIy in the event of war. A War
would here produce the stoppage ofour sys.
tenn; and inevitably end IN the convulsion
of commerce. Great though the natural
advantages here may be, much remains to
be done. The great impediment TO be
overcome is distance, From New Orleans
10 Charleston, ria Florida Point, is some
where about two thousand miles, and
very dangerous passage. The Florida
Keys are fraught with danger to the mari
ner; and long before commerce had at
tanned its present state, the annual losses
in this voyage amounted TO net less than
Eve hundred thousand dollars.
This, it may be true, falls on insurance;
but is not less a loss. From Memphis or
from Nashville, the distance to Charleston
is not less than two thousand three hun
dred miles, ria Florida Point, with all its
danger; while in direct route across the
ii is only about six hundred miles.
A good rail road would be the means Of
this journey in two days,
the effect of which, in the rapid transit of
persons and light merchandise, would be
of great Importance. To effect this OBJ
iect, nature has been emlnently munifi.
cent. On either side the range of Ale
rhanies are vast and fertile plains, and
bursting through these ranges, in con
venient gaps, flow the Cumberland and
Tennessee rivers. II so happens that from
every direction there are natural openings
through this lofty range, all meeting in
the State OF Georgia at single point,
Atalana, in De Kalb county. In every
direction they tend to that point, harmo-
nizing all interests OF all directions in that
one spot, and interesting all purties in the
farther execution of each others views.
| cannot here 60 into detail as | could
wish. Facts, however, will be presented
10 the consideration of the Convention by
a suitable committee for that purpose,
which will dispense with the necessity of
my going farther than a general allusion
TO this topic.
may, in Illustration, however, be per.
mitted to say that at the outset of the con-
slruciion Of the Charleston and Savannah
rail roads there was great jealousy of each
other. Eventually, however, better coun-
sells prevailed, The roads, of necessity,
met at ATLANTA, in DeKalb county Ga,
and from that point there is to both of
those companies mutual and joint lnte-
rest in the farther prosecution to compile
ton Of a rail road to the Mississippi VAL
ley. Now, rail road is projected from
Oxford, through the Eiwussee District,
which Of necessity, goes to Atalanta.-
That from Nashville, through Chattanoo-
ga, must pass to the same point. That
from Memphis, the same. From Grand