Washington telegraph., 1852-03-03
The Internal improvement Convention

held in Little Rock on the 9th ult., gave
birth to new era in the history of our State.
We do not regard ourselves as transcending
the limits Of truth nor propriety by declar-
ing that, in its action and probable effects
upon the welfare Of our State it was the
most important meeting ever held in Ar
kansas. The different portions of the State
were well represented by her most intelli-
gent and enterprising citizens but we did
not fail to notice that our own county, one
among the first in population and wealth,
neglected to send single delegate, or, other
wise manifest the slightest interest in the
action of the convention. Notwithstanding
this apparent disregard Of cur best interests,
we can assure our improvement friends,
that many warm and enthusiastic adherents
Of the cause are in our midst, ready and
willing to exert themselves in pushing on
the work to speedy completion. The
Permanent Committee appointed at the pre-
Of road proposed, made report, which was
unanimously adopted, that great Central
road be constructed having its eastern termi-
nus on the Mississippi river opposite to
Memphis, thence passing through Little
Rock and terminating at Fulton on Red
river thus forming one great trunk line
traversing the entire length of the State,
and connecting US, by means Of the various
important lines converging at Memphis, with
all the great cities On the Atlantic border.
Various resolutions were passed expressive
of the interest SO extensively felt in the work,
and directory as to the course to be pursued
in carrying out the views and wishes Of the
convention. Col. Robertson Topp, Of Mem
phis, was in attendance, and addressed the
meeting in his clear-headed and felicitous
manner, shedding upon the subject a food
Of light, and showing by an array Of care
fully and laboriously prepared statistics the
entire practicability Of the route, and the
importance to ourselves Of speedy and de-
cisive action Col. Fowler followed with a
mastery and effective rcflltation Of ali the
objections urged against the Memphis ter
minus and full and eloquent exposition of
the advantages to be derived from vigorous
prosecution Of an enlightened system Of In
ternal Improvement His address will be
found On our first page, and We ask for it an
attentive perusal, and careful examination
of all the subjects of interest so eloquently
discussed. And now, the preliminary steps
have been taken, the people have assembled
in convention. line has been agreed
upon, the talking has been done, and the
time for action is at hand. What steps
shall Southern Arkansas take towards the
promotion of this great object! What is
the duty Of each one in this great scheme 50
important to our individual interests, SO
essential to our public prosperity? These
are questions which we are now urgently
called upon to answer, and upon which,
action, either approbative or condemnatorv,
must at once be taken. We will suggest
one or two points that offer themselves most
prominently fer our consideration. And
irst,-the next session Of our Legislature
promises to become the most important as
sembly Of that body that has ever been con-
vened in the State. Upon their action viii
depend, in no remote degree, the prosperity,
perhaps, the very prosecution itself; Of the
entire system of Internal Improvements
Legislation, now, Of the right kind, may
give an impetus to the work which viii be
felt in its effects to the remotest corner of
the State, and anticipate the labor of years,
or, it may ruthlessly check all effort towards
improvement, or, at least, retard very ma
terially operations which at best must be
wrought under many and great disadvan-
tages. Cannot something be done by each
county in this work Of controlling Legislation,
so that time may not be wasted, energy mis-
spent, and opportunity lost in the worse than
useless chickering's of party strife, and the
ceaseless contentious for party spoils? Let
us now, in time, select in each county intel
hgent, energetic, interested men, friends to
Improvement irrespective Of party predilec-
tions, whose influence will be felt and whose
action will be prompt, decisive and salutary.
Come. gentlemen, step forward, and let pub
lie opinion at once point out the candidates,
and then unite all efforts to carry out your