Southern shield., 1853-02-26
Saturday, February 2e, 1853.
Called Session of the Legislature.


 In the Little Rock Gazette & Democrat, of the 18th, we notice an article in which the editor suggests the propriety and importance of the Executive of the State conVening the Legislature, at an early day, to adopt such measures as will, at once, secure to Arkansas the benefits of the recent grant of land made by Congress to the State to aid in the con- struction of Rail Roads. As to what steps Gov. Conway may take in regard to this mat ter, we, of course, know nothing, and we feel sure that any suggestions from us would be of no avail; but we must at least be allowed to say, that if the Legislature of Arkansas is to be called together, in the present bank rupt condition of the State Treasury, for the mere purpose of passing "cut and dried' act that has probably been concocted and prepated by citizens of another State, the main object of which is to aid in building up a magnificent city in that State, to the det- riment, and, we might almost say, the ruin of towns situate within the limits of Arkansas, why then, we think, the Governor may as well allow the matter to rest where 1t is, unless the people Of Memphis wiH pay the expenses of such session Of the Legislature. If Ar kansas is to be made wholly tributary to our neighbors of the Chickasaw Bluffs ,and laws are to be passed for their peculiar benefit, it is no more than matter of sheer justice that her citizens should at least bear proportionate part in footing the bills, particularly when they visit the Capital during the session of the Legislature and use their outside or lobbv influence in securing the passage of just such measures as will inure to their benefit, or to the benefit of their place, which amounts to the same thing.
 But we are digressing. When we commen- eed this article, we merely thought of saying few words upon the position occupied by our eotemporary of the "Gazette & Democrat" respecting the selection of route for Rail Road from Little Rock to some point on the Mississippi river. He, notwithstanding, his long residence in Arkansas, and the repeated acts of friendship and patronage bestowed upon him for the last thirty years by her cit izens, and what might consequently be sup posed to be an identity of feeling and interest with them, takes strong and decided grounds in favor of Memphis, instead of Helena, as the terminus of the contemplated road, when he knows, as does every person who is ac- quainted with the two routes, that the Helena route, es regards local advantages is far, very far, superior, to that of Memphis. But tht editor uses, with the most unblushing efron tery, the following language, in alluding tt Memphis as the terminus:
 "Ihe natu ral aduantdges of the route ) Now isn't that rich, decidedly rich, just think of it! The idea of Blacklist Swamp having "natural advantag ges" over the high, dry ant level country between Helena and White Riv, CT, for Rail Road Well might we exclaim Oh, shame, where is thy blush Oh modes. ty, where thy mantle.
 But enough of this at present, it is useless to attempt to reply to an article containing such palpable fallacies as the one in question Its own unwarrantable positions will drag i to the ground, and deprive it of the deleteri. ous influence 1t attempts to exert over the interests of the State.
 nSWe trust that no remarks i'll the above