The Arkansas banner., 1849-06-12
The Pscilic Iload Meetiag.


 meeting on Saturday night, fOs the PurPose Of a, pointing the delegation from this ely and ecnny to the Memphis Convention. We are pleased to observe that our citizens feel the importance Of the action of that assembiage. The construction ei
 ailrOad from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean is one of the noblest undertakings that hes ever been proposed since the first voyage Of ColuEnbus Every State h the UnioD, but none % much as Arkansas. deeply interested in the result of the contemplated convention at Memphis. The general and local benefits that would be derived from such road are innumerable. Il will be necessary to bind, in the bonds of brotherhood the adventurous gold seekers in the piscers of California wlih their sres and sons who still tread the beaten paths between the St. Lawrence and the Sabine. IL will be useful los the speedy transmission of men aud means for the defeace of long line Of distant and valuable coast and our much exposed and sparseIy settled frontier Above a it will be profitable in securing to us the vast trade of India and Europe-that traffic which, in oIden times, raised Tyre and Sidon into nagni6- cent cities, fro the rocks and shalIows the shore of Judea-which gave political power and unrivaled wealth to the Iemctest barren reeesses of the Medi- teranean; the trade whence England has derived her riches, and the naughty power through which she was once sole mistress of the seas.
 The establishment oT this road through our State will be to US the precursor of untold prosperity. It will develop our vast resources, increase popuia- ton and productions, and the value of our lands. IL will aid materially u placing Arkansas in that rank among her sister States, where, by her geo graphical position, her uErvaIed soil and inexhausti. bIe mineral wealth, she is destined to shine. We must not stand idly by listening io the distant roar of the enthusiasm that is expressed elsewhere, and watching the vigorous efforts of our neighbours in Tennessee. We must not expect these countless blessings to be showered upon us, like the fabIed gold into the laps Of the houghtless Danae, without struggle on part. great enterprise like this can only be effected by popular enthusiasm. This feeling when once aroused should not be chilled by the apathy of those who were leaders in the under taking. As we value success, we must be jealous; we must be prompt and active. To be done well, it must be dcne by the people themselves, and not left to become hackneyed engine for the elevation or debasement of political demagogues. Since this proposition was first sgtated here, it has been circulated far and wide. Every State, South and West of the Alieghanies. has eagerly caught up the idea The people have approved it. Even the old ,nint drop hero, aided by the Be-wether ofTennes- see has been aroused 10 battle for his favore route ria. Independence, Missouri. In this they are loo fast. It is yet too soon to make it stepping stone 10 the presidency. We must first contrive means to construct the road. It will locate itseif Let us quietly and steadily make apparent the superi ority of the route through our State. Virginia, Kentucky, the Csroinas. Georgia, Alabama, Missis- sippi and Tennessee, will be it's advocates. The delays at Panama, the dangers of the route through Mexico, and the recent disasters of Col. Freinont's party will do the rest.
 The feasibility of the project, its pressing mpof tance to every unit of the confederation, and its ultimate success, as plain as truth itself It is one of those great measures of universal interest upon which the whole people can unite, free from political prejudiees and party stubbornness. It is of those vast undertakings, to effect which the popular will needs but to be aroused, and, if called forth by the magic lamp of Aladdin, the work is finished. Traversing the rich valleys of State, sweeping over the vast praires of the west, and along the golden sands of the Sacramento; connect, ing by one unbroken link the rapid current of the great Father of Waters" win the waves of the stormless ocean;" bringing the harbors of the At
 antc almos, within sight ofhe spice groves ofIndia
 it will become the great artery of this vast country Through it, long, the wealth of the world must flow, dispensing from its swollen channel power and profit 10 every nook and corner of the Union All have a common interest in its completion; all will have a common share in its benefits; and none but madman or traitor would dare 10 mingle with this harmonious enthusiasm the discordant cries of blinded and baffied tanaticism or sectional jealousy.
 The stipulaions for the protection of the frontier in the late treaty with Mexico. make this road an object of national expenditure, within the intent and meaning of the constitution Its construction hrough Arkansas, making its eastern terminus at Memphis, will help to equalize the power of the South and North, and sill do more towards the settlement of the odous Wimot Proviso question than all the speeche. that will ever be heard in Congress.
 To Little Rock is due the honor of having made the first step towards the construction of this great public work Having given birth to the baniIng, we must not abandon it in its infancy, we must fol- 1t np and foster il, and that it is trained in the way that We think it should go. The delegation from our State to Memphis should be sufficiently numerous and able to protect ard advance inter- ests. From an examination of the list of the dele gates, we feel sure that Little Rock and Pulaski county will be we'll and ably represented.
 Railroad Meeting.
 l large and respectable meeting of tho citizens of Jackson county Yas held at Elizabeth, on Mon day evening, 2lst May, lsi9, q. being Circuit | dax \ foP Ina cf .L t...a