Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-05-05
TIE MEMPHIS CONVENTION.

al tne Court House, on thursday next, 10 appoint
delegates TO the Memphis Convention. 1t is to
be hoped that none will be appointed, except such
as it is known will attend and we further hope
that those appointed for that purpose will not fail
to attend.
The subject :hat will interest the deliberations
of this Convention, that of the California Rail
Road from the Mississippi, is of the deepest i'm
porance to all Arkansas and it is of still greater
importance to the citizens of Van Buren, as this
place is not only on the direct line from Memphis,
to San Diego, on the Pacific, but on the most
available route, which fact will be developed in
the survey made by competent engineers. 1t is
known that the most continuous level route is on
the north side of the river due west from Mem
phis to the Cadron valley. from thence by Dover
through the valley of Mulberry. on through this
place, a few miles 10 the north of it, to Web
ber's Falls. The river at this point affords GER
tain and safe crossing for the rail road. The bot
tom being floored with rock from one bank to the
other, over a sufficient space up and down the ri.
YER 10 furnish permanent foundation for via
duct, and we believe that at the Falls is to be
found the first point on the river where such
crossing can be obtained. r...
Whether this road will pass through or near our
place or not, yet as an object of general benefit to
the State, we regard it as worthy of our highest
consideration. 1t has been reduced to a mathe-
matical certainty that railroad can be con.
structed from the Mississippi TO the Pacific; and
the only question is to the route best for this
great enterprise. The impossbty of carrying
The road over the Rocky mountains, and through
regions of eternal SHOWS, is apparent to the least
rejecting mind. The route through Arkansas,
via Santa Fe, and the valley of the Gia offers no
impediments of such a nature, but in fact strikes
one as the natural route. Not mountain to
cross the whole way and the table lands, which,
true, are as elevated almost as the highest noun
,ains. are gradual in their rise (being several
hundred miles in their ascent and descentl that
the altitude is only Psrceptble by scientific in
strurnents. The climate is medium-never Sc
verely cold, nor extremely hot, and at no season
would the communication be interrupted by snow.
We repeat. that it is desirable. the meeting be
well attended, and the delegates appointed on the
occasion will attend the Convention on the 4th of
July next. They could not be engaged in the per.
formance of more patriotic duty.
@We understand. some of our citizens COM
plain, that, doubtless from selfish motives foreign
to The interests of this city, have done our
duty, as q journalist towards keeping before the
public the advantages of Van Buren,, as suitable
point for the overland emigration to California.
The complaints unjust, and we appeal to our
fell IL
LlGENcER," if we have not used all proper ex-
eriions to enhance the interest and promote the
prosperity of our city. If improper means are
required to promote the interest or to crafty the
preudices and ilI-feeling of any one, we, at once.
inform them that they must look to another quar-
ter for an instrument. We would scorn to en-
bark in the grovelling employment of panderer to
the malevolence of any man.
Those persons who entertain the belief that we
have not done our duty journalist are either
ignorant or Indifferent of the events that have
transpired here within the last month or two, and
are ptaliy unfit to express an opinion;-at all
events such opinions are wholly valueless, and are
not entitled to one ioa of respect.
We hope the citizens of Van Buren entertain a
y,than to suppose we should place them forward
at the expense ofthe interests of other communities
and we know our citizens we'll enough 10 believe
they do not expect such course on our part.
They rely upon their resources, and appre-
hend no detrment to their interests from other
quarters and all they expect of US is that we set
those advantages and claims before discriminating
public. This we have done-withou. fear or favor.
or without regard to the interests or preudices of
the citizens of Fort Smith, leaving the latter place
the privilege Of setting its '' best foot foremost.
This we had right to do-that they had right
to do; and neither place should take offence at the
other for so doing We who believe tha.
the world is large enough for both "rival towns,"
even Crawford county, is yet thought by the Le-
gsIature, be of sufficient size to hold us all and
believe that the California emigration will, for
years, be source Of immense advantage to both
places. .... ....
1t is strange that whilst, in this place. fault is
found with us for not saying enough, in Fort Smith
we are charged with saying too much. What
10