The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-10-30
10 the citizens Of those counties in the states
Of Mississippi and Alabama, interested
lnthe construction of the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad.
FELLow.Ctr1zENs.

tELLow-CITIzENs:
The undersigned were APP
pointed acommittee, at public meeting held
in Columbus, on the goth inst, to address
you on the propriety of appointing delegates
to attend a Convention to be held in the town
of Columbus on Monday the oath day of
November next, for the purpose of taking in
to consideration, the best and most efficient
means of promoting the speedy construction
of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. We per-
form this duty the more readily, because in
common with many of our fellow citizens,
we participate in the general interest felt in
the success of the enterprise, and in the opin.
ion that it must greatly advance the prosper
ity of our State.
1t is within the recollection of most of us,
that only few years since the eastern portion
of Mississippi from the Gulf of Mexico to
the Tennessee line, embracing one of the
most fertile regions in the United States, and
we'll adapted by climate and soil for the pro
duction Of a greater variety of articles used
in civilized life, than is usually found in the
same extent of Territory was a vast forest,
inhabited alone by sayages. In less than 20
years, this favored region has assumed diff
ferent appearance. Civilization has taken
the place of arbarism-counties have been
formed and organised builtup and in
rporated-churches and academies for the
diffusion of moral and intellectual light, have
taken the place of the Indian wigwam-for-
ests have been RACED, and now broad spread
ing fields, teeming with the luxuries and COM
forts of life supply their place. Under the
benign influence of agriculture, the eastern
portion of the State, hitherto powerful in its
resources, but dormant, seems to have been
aroused, like mighty giant from sleep, and
from its Cornucopia has scattered blessings
upon its inhabitants. How has this mighty
change been produced in this almost incredi-
:. Bile short space of time? We answer, by in.
dividual effort, energy and enterprise. The
, tide of emigration which poured into this
section of the country from the old States
brought with it an energy, which brooked ne
obstacle, and was willing to incur any pri
yaton What could not this same energy
d and enterprise accomplish, if, instead of be
ing exerted for individual benefit alone, i
should be thrown into combined action 70
: the public good? The eastern portion 0
e Mississippi comprises within itself, agricultu
raj advantages, which are seldom equalled
rarely, if ever surpassed, and yet in grea
degree, rendered unavailable through want {
a speedy and constant communication wit
the commercial world. In consequence I
the want Of facilities of transportation, til
products of labor in eastern Mississippi al
locked up the greater portion of the yea
a. thereby causing to all classes of communit,
T, whether agricultural, commercial or mechal
ical, losses and inconvenience, too tedious
ur enumerate, but which the least reflection mu
Is, suggest to every mind. A few years since
Iiy company of gentlemen in Mobile conceive
the plan of obyiating this difficulty, by Co
is structing a Railroad from that city to Il
Dr. Ohio river, the main trunk passing throue
the heartof eastern Mississippi, thus lnkir
5 us, with the extremes of orr common cou
try, the sea board on the South and the. lal
on the North; furnishing US facilities fol
Do. speedy and constant exchange Of our. pr
ductions with the productions of the Mort
crn and N Northwestern States ond opening
is US Southwardly anavenue for an interchani
= ~ of labor with the nations Of the earth w
ION can fully estimate the advantages of SUI
communication? It's beneficial infuen
would be felt in all the ramifcations of so
III ETY., from the wealthy capitalist to the d
es' laborer, who looks not beyond scanty su
port. At first the plan conceived and 81
gested by these gentlemen, shared the fate
e all great public undertakings opposition
IS, the one hand and apathy on the other. 7
sd. human mind, being too little accustomed
appreciate the east poaoer of combined, &C
centrated action, doubts were expressed a
. difficulties suggested, Of ultimate success.
These gentlemen however not discourag
by theopposition and doubts which met The
on every hand, steadily pursuing their pl
, pose, and gaining gradually upon the pub
, confidence, may be said at this time to ha
~, an- placed the success of their cherished und
J Q; taking beyond doubt or cayil. We consit
ana the Mobile and Ohio Railroad tohaYe pass
EN- its crisis. The only question now involy
'ada in its construction, being 9 mere matter
;e,s. time; whether twill require years to co
Plete the same, owing to the backWardness
~ supplying means By those more immediate
interested IN Its construction, 81 whether,
oy,- united and concentrated effort Of alIthe sa
az shall be accomplished il a few years!
sash We are informed 81 an address recen
published by the President of said road 4
& to thirty-three miles Will completed and res
for the cars in few months, and that
sq Sc route has been located and is now ready
bile contracts as far IS the Northeastern lint
Ghiekasaw county in this State. we are