The Arkansas banner., 1849-01-02
tCorrespondsnos of the Banner
 CALIFORNIA;
TAs Route through Arkaasas--Rendesre ct FoTt
 SssifA---.a Railrsad, SC,

7As Route through Arkaasas-- RsndexroHs sf FoFf
 SwfA---.9 Rsiisosd. SC.
 The recent dIscovsries In California have inaa- eneed the euPidty. and animated the entire poPula- ton of the United States. Gold has been found there in such quantities to realize the widest dream of tho svaricious Spsniard who sought, on this continent, fhe Fl Dorado. Authentic reports tell us of an immense country. gittering with un- told wealth, the wonderful amount of which Sni unsetsle the commerce Of the world. The oniy topic of conversation, everywhere, Is the gold re- gon of California and the greaes. desire is to get there. Already hundreds of ships in the east are spreading their sails to the breeze flied with eager hearts, bent on a golden pilgrimage; and as soon genial spring shall drive back 10 h;s cen hoary winter thousands from the west will be vending their way across the continent, 10 gather unfold wealth in that romantic region. Women and ehil- dren will swell the train wh oh, like sn immense army will people western prairie, as they march with weapons. not of strife. but io godca harvest from the mellow earth. ThequcstiOn will bcasked, by million of tongnes--Whieh is ,he nearest and most practicable rou,e' It is well kn"~n here that a company will rendezvous st Fort Smi'h' on the western line of Arkansas and at the head ot na'l- gation, the first of April next. Persons from all parts of this and some from the adjoining States, will join It. The route from Fort Smith is known 10 possess great advantages over any other; on 1t there is plentiful supplies of wood and water it is THREE HUNDRED MILES stARER; it runs through pleasant country Is far enough north to avoid the scorching hest of a southern sun, aud far enough south to escape the cold blasts of the no'th-in Sword, the whole way Is latitude inst suited to the travellers. The country around Fort Smith affords an abundance 10 supply and outfit any expedition, and will be pleasant rendezvous for the cmigrant.
 Our delegation in Congress should make strong and decisive effort to induce the government to make a military road from ort Smith to San Francisco. It would contribute more 10 the greatness and i'm provement of Arkansas than any other one thing.
 see that New York company have memorial ized Congress to aid them in the construction of railroad across the Isthmus of Panama-represent- ing that it is tho only route by which women and children can go to California; and that the " west
 ern route" is by "wild paths acPoss the Rocky mountains, for hafthe year covered with snows, and entirely impracticabie'' This statement is believed 10 be wholly untrue; and there seems to be but little doubt but that road can be made the entire distance without crossing any portion of the Rocky mountains calculated to interpose any serious Ob- stacle in tho way. Should the United States send out competent engineers to survey a military road, there is not doubt but that Fort smith will be the point of starting It behoves every citizen in every part of Arkansas to take interest in this so much desired thiag. There is no doubt that, if proper impetus is given to this enterprise, in less than twenty years there will be a railroad from Memphis 10 San Francisco which will cement the bonds of this Union still more, by famiIiarizing and bringing home to that distant people the blessings of free government, and transporting from that glorious Fl Dorado of the west untold gliiterirg heaps of yellow gold. Through limits. then, will be car red the commerce of the world. Is not an enter prise which will produce such results worthy of the exeriion of every energy of our peopel It is to be hoped that Arkansas-too much blinded by sectional feelngs-will see the great importance of this measure, and make hearty and undivided effort to obtain it. CRAwFoRp.