Democratic banner., 1851-06-11
DRM0ORlfIG BANNRR
PLANK ROADS.

A4N "a
The Democratic Banner is arguing with great
zeal and ability in favor Of the Construction of 6
plank road from Louisiana to Middletown. w
are sorry 10 see that the Interest of the citizens Of
louisiana IL abating. We can assure them afteI
careful perussl ofaccounts of the results of plank
road improvement In Other States, that there il nc
species of public improvement more immediately
and decisively beneficial We hope the Banner
viii continue to urge on the v ork until the people
determine to consummate it.-[St. Louis Times.
1t is true that we have urged the impor-
lance Of this Improvement with some zeal.
We have shown the advantages that must
result from il, not only to the city but to
the country around us. This position must
be self evident to every one who will take
the trouble to examine the subject for him.
sell. A Plank or McAdanised road is the
road fer the forming community. Such a
road would he of more solid and substantial
benefit to this country, in the present state
of affairs, than railroad communications
A railroad would better subserve the Inte.
rests Of a section of country highly COM
mercial in its character, but here we need
aroad upoa which the farmers may travel
IN bringing their surplus productions to
market, and return with goods. merchan.
disc and groceries, needed for family con-
sumption. We have urged this matter, but
unfortunately, we fear, it is all in vain. It
tires one to be continually warning others
Of their duty, and especially when that duty
10 so plain and obvious az the one in this
case. The interest Of every man engaged
10 the active pursuits Of life, should prompt
him in this progressive age to watch the
course of events, to prepare for the future,
and thus avoid the disastrous consequent.
ces that may result from his own impru.
dencs and negligence. Though it may
sometimes happen. yet it is seldom the case,
that prosperity is the result of chance. It
ismuch oftener to be sscribed to human %.
gacity and human action, than to natural
causes. There tD0s a time when natural
advantages and favorable locations, were
greatly to be sought after in the erection
OF cities for the concentration Of commerce.
But the improvements and discoveries of
the present sge, have done much towards
placing this matter more Immediately under
the control Of mao. The time must soon
arrive when public improvement, will bel
the sine qua non Of the prosperity of towns
and cities. Their more successful compel.
itOrs will monoPolise their trade, BY extend
ing lines Of communication into the heart
OF the country, upon which they rely for
their trade. and wen their substance.
81 Such must be the case with Louisiana,
unless her citizens arouse from their lethsr-
81 and look to their interests. The failure
OF this project will be attended with the
most injurious effects. Real estate will de-.
crease in value. Her population will d.
minish, as her more e~nterprising neighbors
will draw of her trade and appropriate i'll
to themselves. Unless some means be
speedily resorted to for the improvement of
outlets and inlets to and from the surround.
ing country, We may prepare to date the
zenith Of our prosperity. Our trade will be
diverted, and Louisiana left to drag out an
abandoned existence, until her houses shall
Rave mouldered and fallen. This may be
regarded as the offspring ofan idle imsgin-
; alton, but time proves ali things, and the
future will demonstrate the trath Of this
prediction, to the sorrow Of many who
should now invest the mite, to return with
fOurfold interest.
WooDs ACCOMPLISHMENTS il directed
70 the advertisement Of John B. Woods, the