Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-10-13
[From the Commercial Review.
PACIFIC RAILROiD.

Having now gone over the entire field OF pro.
ections, il is full time to pass TO some general
observations. A few points we think abunda nty
evident. from the facts that have been introduced
and from those that are readily suggested.
l. That connection the line Of inter.
course between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
is likely TO be popular with US, succeed, which
does pass through and ntersect in its ,chole ex
tent our territory. All others depend too
much upon the wills and caprices and jeaouses of
foreigners, and may at any moment put an end to
the enterprise. Besides, such foreign roads do
not, to the same extent benefit and extend our
own population, and conduct their persons and
their property from location 10 location in the
march of western empire. Any such roads
adopted by must be temporary; and with re-
ference to canals the great facts stand out, that the
sailing distance TO the east must yet be very vast
supposing them constructed that their construc.
ton involves an enormous outlay, all things con-
sidered as some central railroad that if under
taken by q single Eotion, the jealouses Of others
would be excited, and union of nations on
the subject could be expected, from the almost i'm.
possibility of keeping canal neutral.
2. That if great railroad be constructed
through the possessions Of the United States to the
Pacific, that road must be as nearly as can be GEN.
TRIAL, to enlist the sympathies. regards, and Coop
GRAFTON of all sections of the confederacy. No
city or town can set up n special claim. The
rivalres of the Lakes, ST. Louis Memphis Match.
ez and Galveston, would be preposterous and
defeat the best concerted scheme of either. Not
only must the road be central to command q suf.
hcient support ever to start construct il, or
make it afterward prosperous, but it must be
upon such line and TO port as shall be clearly
| established TO be the BEST, all things considered.
In such spirit, difficulties and distractions sink
| down into nsigDifcance. The facts are yet not
| all before us that we may pronounce authorita-
tioely and decisiuely which is that line and that
route.
cognate TO determine decided preference, in
the present Of information on the subject, for
| the Memphis terminus, upon the Mississippi, and
these will concsely slate:
!. This route 20 the Pacific, whether at San
Diego or San Francisco, equally good harbors, at
least if the former be not the BEST to leave Mon
terry out of the question: is Short rery nearly,
us any other American route proposed-much h
shorter than the road to ST. Louis-ma nv hundred
miles less than that proposed by Mr.. Whitney.
2. The Memphis road is more nearly in the
centre Of the continent, (Natchez being that poin,
longitudnally), is nearer the mouth of the Ohio,
nearer the Atlantic Ocean, is at a point al,cays
nav gable, and is easy of communication with
every other section Of the Union, as 1--WE mainta in
much easier) any other road.
3. The route from Memphis is al least as good.
we believe better, than my other, so far as the
face of the country and distractions ire concern.
ed. 1t is not far south 10 be within the re.
glons of sultry and disease, nor yet so far
north as 10 be among continued snow and ice, but
Is through temperate, and, for large part, most
| salubrious climate.
4. 1t is point where tho Mississippi is al
,cays narigabie.