The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-09-20
neDphis aud ST. Louis-Thc California
R-aIxaad M In nj Os-lulasr AID aud

MeDphis aud 81. LOuIs-The California
Railroad Conventions OF October 23d and
l5sh.
IL srpears that two conventions are TO be held in
the valley Of the Mississippi, In October, for the
purpose Of doing what can be done to promote the
speedy opening of railroad route between the At
lantic and Pacific large attendance of dele
gates from the various parts OF the Union will pro-
baby be present at both Al Memphis will be
represented more especially the country interested
in the route proposed by the middle aud southern
portion OF the Union; and at st Louis, the route
advocated for The North; rather, all portions Of
the country are likely to be represented by dele
gates In each conventions but ST. Louis embraces
the nelthern interest, and Memphis the residue of
the Union.
II 10 certainly to be desired that no conflict shall
be engendered, which win in any manner delay or
leopard the speedy compleuen of the grand snder-
taking designed and, indeed, necessary, as the re-
cent information from California shows, TO unite the
Atlantic and Pacific and make people of all the
inhabitants Of the whole continent. Some diffe-
ence Of opinion may, OF course, be expected
Adverse local interests are involved. But care
snght to be- and probably will be, exercised to as
certain the route for this great horouehfare pro-
Der, with reference to the common interest Of the
whole country, and TO prevent personal Influences
and local cabals from entering too largely into
the matter Mr.. Senator Benton has thrown
his great name and powers into it IN behalf
Of the ST. LOUIS project. He has troops OF friends,
and the experience Of veteran politician In the
tactics useful TO accomplish any public purpose 1t
m not at all unlikely that his recent movements IN
Missouri have quite much reference to the loca-
non OF this road to his Presidential aspirations,
and more certainly than TO his new born adherence
Of Afncan slavery. BE this, however, as II may,
whatever he puts his hand upon, 1t is certain to
weigh heavily on the country, for veal or wo.
ST Louis, and Its population, commerce, re-
sources, present and prospective condition, are
very fsmiliarly known at the North. Not 30 much
10 known Of Memphis. A few words and little
time may be well given TO the latter, and some
thing also TO it's claims TO be the crossing place
upon The Mississippi river Of the iron band which
il to hold together the American borders of the
West and Of the East.
The present population Of Memphis Is about
1900. II stands on the east bank Of the M,ssls-
sppi river, about $50 miles from Its mouth, and
about $50 miles above New Orleans, and is in the
southwest corner Of Tennessee, about IS miles
north Of the boundary line dividing the States OF
Mississippi and Tennessee. The Mississippi rver
Is nsvigsble as high Memphis, at all seasons OF
the year, and in every stage OF water, Tor the
largest steamers that float upon the Western wa
tiers It's likewise below the point at which ice
ever closes the river Not 81. Louis In the
customary low waters Of the river in the summer
and fall months, the larger steam craft cannot as
cend 10 or descend from ST. Louie, and not urfre-
outnlly, in the winter months the river is closed
with ice, at and below st Losls, and, indeed, be-
low the mouth of the OHIO river.
The erswh Of Memphis has been scarcely sur
rssscd by any Of the cities Of the West, which so
suddenly spring from the unirodden forests into
busy aud thrifty emporiums Of commerce Its
pI,s.ut cordtiou is for the moot part, to the ex-
trtof tbree.f,mibs, the progress Of ten years.
Steam psckois 81 the largest Glars regularly ply in
ths business reason. between it and New Orleans,
ard he other imIorsnttowns OF the West above.
The trade of the place depends chiefly on the
STAPLE ~ the surrounding country Of Mississippi
and Tennessee The annual export Is from
5.OOOio I5oOCo bales. averaging each 600 pounds,
ard worth from 1900. COO to Ss,0OO, 600, accord.
ING TO the fulncss o the crop Of the year, aud the
puce. Most Of this cotton il hauled TO and ship
ped fscm Memphis. Another large poruon finds
Ils way to New Orleans down the small rivers
winch fuw into the Mississippi, without passing
hfouph M'nphiS, but me commerce oi Whlchls
usnssci,d mainly az that place.
No person can reasonably expect the route OF
ihe road to be located otherwise than with refer
ence 10 the common interest Of the whole coun-
Try. The conditions implied in this, are, that the
route shall be sufficiently central to the entire
Union, shall pursue the shortest distance, the
easiest levels, the climate which will be available
n all seasons Of the year In all these particulars,
the advocates of the Memphis route claim the adj
vantage.
1.-The Memphis Route is more central.
2.-It passes through temperate climate, with
out obstruction from the ice and SHOWS Of winter,
Benton's route proposes to cross the Rocky noun
tsins at the Three parks elevation OF about 900
FEET above the ocean level, and Of course, for a
large part Of the year. practically impossible to
railroad carriages. II ~ an elevation largely
above the height of any mountain on the continent,
east Of the Mississippi nyer. Besides, his route,