Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-01-14

then in state Of progress, would be com
pIeted BY other means. These expecia-
tons have been disappointed. They in.
duced Congress, however, to mention
Brandon, instead Of Jackson, as the start.
ing poiut Of the road The consent Of
Congress has only been obtained TO the
application Of tho twenty-five thousand
dollars 10 this intermediate link. Her
consent should be asked TO the use Of so
much Of the two per cont. fund as is ne.
cessary TO complete the railroad from
Jackson to Brandon; or in other words,
The consent Of Congress should be obtain
ed for commencing the road at Jackson,
instead Of Brandon. And in anticipation
of this consent being had, the Legislature
ought at once 10 make such provision as
will ensure the most economical and spec
DIV application OF tho money. ! invite
the speedy attention Of the Legislature to
the several memorials from this State, and
the final action of Congress in relnquish'
ing The Two per cent. fund. II will he
seen that the State asked, and Congress
reinquished I, to this particular road.
The scheme Of connecting the Atlantic
with the Mississippi river, by means OF a
railroad, is one Of vast magnitude and will
doubtless engage tho eary altentlon OF the
Legislature.
Rciocting Tho idea thu. Congress may
apply the National Treasure TO improve
menIs which aro only local IN their cha
racter, il is nevertheless true, that works
which are essential to the common de-
Cence'' of the confederated States may,
and ought to be constructed at the Nation.
nj expense. Viewing the contemplated
railroad rs work OF this character, do
moi hesitate 10 advise the legislature TO
make an earnest appeal to Congress to AID
ia iis construction.
Should tho southwestern States be IN.
yaded, the road, as means OF speedy ana
safe transportation of troops ana mnm'
tons of war would be found OF lncoleu'
liable advantage 10 the nation at largo
The delays aud dangers incident TO a
yoynpe around tho Floridas, on the one
hand, and tho perplexity OF tedious mnrch'
"a over land on the other, would be avoid
cd. Army supplies, instead OF being sent
down tho river when the waters are low
md the delays great, could be forwarded
from the East and by the same means the
eastern and middle stutes could be suppl
cd with safety and expedition from the
south and west
If this country is ever invaded by ouI
ancient foe, il is scarcely 10 be doubted
that tho southern States will be selected
as tho theatre of his most active opera
tions-how essential, therefore that The
means of throwing defence into the coun
try without danger and without delay
should be provided as speedily as possible
Should the Legislature make an address
to Congress on this subject, | respectful,
suggest that, instead of asking direc
nppropriaiion Of money 10 this object lror
the Treasury of the Nation, they Shout
solicit donation of one-half OF all IN
vacant lands in all the land districts thrc
which the road is 10 pass, TO be taken
alternate quarter, half and whole sections
Tho magnitude OF the work will lustli
tho Legislature in making the request, an
its Nallonal consequence will, IN my opll
ion, fully authorize Congress in granting
A donation thus liberal will ensure u
success Of the enterprise, and give US u
means Of specify concentrating all o.
dofencos, which will, Of itself, be mo
terrible 10 an army than millions OF SC
dicry scattered over the broad extent
our country.
Al what point the railroad upproochl'
from the Atlantic should strike the Miss
sissippi river, must be left, of course,
tho decision of those who furnish I
means for its construction. 1t mny not
amiss, however, for us TO suggest The re
sons why Vicksburg should be selected
tho most proper point. In the first pla'
tho road from Vicksburg to Jackson
compIeted; il is, TO be sure, IN inc nan
of n private company, but the constr'
ton Of the road is the question OF prlm0
importance to whom il shall belong
ouIy secondary. Ia the second place,
grading on the line from Jackson to Brt
don is completed. In the third place
survey Of the route from Brandon to
Alabama line has been made, and the c
Of constructing this part OF the work Q
mated at only $l,0e3,d2s; and fourth
the two per cent. fund amounting 70 w
n fraction of three hundred thous'
dollars, has been appropriated TO this 70
Is il assuming toe much to say that N
sissippi in asking the relinqu'shmens
this tund 10 this particular object,
Congress in granting il, decided that Vac
burg should be the pon, where the roa
n intersecl the river. Tho two per c.
fund in the State of Alabama, amount
$4,000, and one'half OF il has been
hnqnished to the construction OF INC
throuoh that State.