The Yazoo Democrat., 1853-01-26
For the De,aocrot

MEsSRS. EDITORS-GentLeHlen: The growing
prosperity of our town should be subject Of
much congatulation to the citizens The many
handsome residences and substantial business
houses which have of late years been erected, and
the growth of trade speak in loud tones Of the
increasing prosperity of our place. Whether
Yazoo City will continue to progress in the same
ratio of improvement, or even maintain its pres
ent importance as business point, remains with
those who now reside here
Should the people quietly fold their arms and
say to themselves that the present trade, cannot
be diverted to other points, they will very soon
be made aware Of the deception under which
they labor. This is progressive age, and the
words "stand still" have become obsolete terms
Several lines of Rail Road are at this moment
In contemplation, and some even in progress Of
construction, which, if not counteracted on our
part by some other improvement, will have the
effect of cutting off at least half of our pres
ent trade
Surely our people will not sit idly by, whilst
their neighbors are busily employed in making
roads to carry our trade to other places-taking
from our merchants business which for years
they have been fostering, and leaving the real
estate owners possessed of but half their fortune
which they now count upon. Nor will the dis
aster be less severely felt by persons of different
calling-all will suffer in proportion to the
amount of trade taken from US. The citizens
then should, without farther delay, take the mat
ter in hand, and offer to the Planters such In
., ,',,caments as will cause them TO continue their
business here
The remedy here proposed will not only keep
the trade in its present cha2nel, but actually m
crease it-even in opposition to Raj Roads
viz: The extension Of the Plank Road. No I'M
has ever been introduced in the South
so well calculated to develop the resources of the
one so we'll adapted to the soil.
All parties will be largely benefited by it. and
the planting community. The histo-
ry of all roads of this description, sustains the
assertion
The Plank Road from this place to Benton, at
first met with violent and almost general oppo-
sition from the planters. They insisted that it
was entirely impracticable, and would be a use
less outlay producing other effect than kill
ing the cattle that travelled upon it-driving off
trade, and many other such calamities were pre-
dicted to happen. A few months have elapsed
and the Plank Road is demonstrated fact And
what is now the testimony of those who foretold
20 many evil things, and clamored SO loudly
against it? Why, they clamor loudly still, but
it is not with complaints of high rate of toll
or that their teams have been killed by travelling
omit! No not single murmur do they utter
against the improvements is that the road
might be extended to their homes Il!
Here then, is uncontrovertable testimony from
the most reliable witnesses, Of the efficacy of this
character of roads. Let our people then step
forward. meet the wishes of the planting inter
est extend the road, and Yazoo City's prosperity
now and in future, is secured beyond a doubt. |
Should they neglect it, her decline may be dated
from The time the first locomotives whistle is
heard IN any of the adjoining counties Stock
for the farther extension of the Plank Road
should be taken at once The condition Of the
planters for the past fifteen years has not been
SO prosperous as 1t now is-money is abundant /
and cheap-and if few individuals will, only
take the trouble to interest themselves IL this ali
matter, stock might very soon Be taken
to build the road to Big Black river.
It is said that some Of our wealthy planters
promised, that, so soon as the road was made to
Benton, they would then assist in CARRYING It /
farther.
II no other argument was used than the mere
interest such an investment aoiA pay, (for that
Ioo has been demonstrated) Il ought to be ssifgi-
:ient to induce the stock to be taken; for even
With the most moderate tolls-suci1 as is charged