The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1853-06-11
l~coxSuSicArrD.

MEssns. SnIrm & DARsr-Gentlemen Al
low me through the medium Of your paper, to
express the views Of one, relative to the policy
Of this State, (Which he now claims ms his adop.
ted homc) on the subject Of Internal Improve.
mcnts and these views are not expressed
through any personal motives, but TO draw the
attention Of the citizens of Gonzales County To
n subject which is now being agitated through
out the State. There is not n political aspi-
rant in the State who has not mounted this
hobby, like the Romans of old, for the purpose
of riding into power. Upon every stump this
is the favorite theme upon which they like to
dwell and tickle the fancy, in order that they
may please and ~iniatiatc themselves into the
good graces of the people, and thereby bc cx-
allied to the stations which they 80 much desire
to fill. But such motives, fr be II, do not be-
long TO the author CT these remarks. And why
this general excitement upon n subject that, in
other States, has proven so disastrous to the
prosperity of its citizens and its own greatness
as n StateY II il because every one feels that
the State of Texas is planted upon "a basis
much stronger, and that her means of wealth
nrc much greater than those of her sister
States, who have tried this experiment and
failed. They know that she is able To- enter
into these public improvements, and consc-
qucntly this desire.
Other States that have tried this Railroad
enterprise had natural means of transportation.
For instance, the State of Illinois had the Wa
bash, the Kaskaskia, tho Illinois mud the Rock
rivcrs-four great tributaries of the Mississippi
river, which belts her entire shores on the
West; hence ii was not necessity that drove
her into this system of Intcrna, Improvement
because her natural resources were quite sufi.
Gent TO carry of her products. But not 50
with Texas. Here is a territory more than
double that of any other State in the Union
possessing n soil unsurpassed by any other por.
ton of the globe in point of productiyeness
with n salubrity of climate ~uncqualled by any
country, fronting nearly n thousand miles OH
the Gulf of Mexico, yet without Il single nayi.
gable stream. The Legislature in i,cr appro.
p~riations has lavishcd her stores Of wealth for
the purpose of cleaning out these rivers, and
rendering them %yavigablc; but where is The
ifty thousand dollars appropriated for the pur,
pose of cleaning ont the Guadaloupc-thc hun,
drea thousand for the purpose of cleaning ont
the raft in the Colorado, and the same amour,
for rendering navigablc tho Brazosy Yet with
all these appropriations there is not n nayiga
bic river in the State. Far better would these
appropriations have been il given to some old
Texan; who has spent the bloom Of manhood
in defending his family and country from tn,
mercilcss attacks Of the rowing Camanchc, o,
the still more stcalthy attack of tho Mexican
Then our only hope for future prosperity, |,
Railroads; but the great objection urgct
against this system of Internal improvements
is the history of other States that have cmbar
ked in the same noble enterprise, 10 this oh
lection VIC would simply remark that the Stat,
OF Texas IL planted upon n basis much strong
or, that her resources of wealth are much grca
ter, and that the future greatness and prosper
ity of the State demand some means of trans
portation. Every foot of land within the Dor
ders OF c,T state, is owned and belongs TO tn,
State of Texas, while other States have coded
to the General Government all their public do
main, consequently a great source of wealth I,
the State, which in every other State flows {,
tie general government; hence our indcpcn
doncc, and consequent action, if we desire.
The lone traveller as he passes over our beau
tiful prairics and extended landscapes. view,
In the transparent of joy these illiinitablc plain,
covered over with flowers Of n thousand hue,
and varicgated colours, with here and there (,
herd es deer and cattle feeding on the r;eei
sward and growing Cat on the musquitc pras,
that waves in rich luxmiancc all around them
or perhaps hts gaze may Ice ilsed upon the mnl
utude OF birds, unknown to other cliincs. which
here display their bright p%lunagc, cominingIe,
with purple and aknrc hucs, to the sweet har
inoi,y OF Il world tccsning with iia and motion
III these natural beauties lac admires la on,
western home, aud perhaps hc may be force,
TO eSclNim in the language Of the poet,
"Iis the land, of every land the pride,
Beloved by heaven Ger all tke world beside.
Whore brighter sons display scrpnor light,
Ind miller moons iinpafahise the nigit.
\ land Of virtue, wealth and truth,
Time tn,c:ci age, aud love exalted youth.
The wandering mariner whose eyes explores.
he riches isles, ,ac most enchanting shores.
Jews not a realm So nosa,ilhi aud lair.
Nor brea,hcs the spirit OF y purcr air"
Vet. notwithstanding, he may h. So delight
ed with ear Nariegatcsl scenery. the moan,air,
rising like towers of tod Ear seta on carracI
mouut, tho he may view with delight The erys.
tal strcam gushing iron, the mountain side and
rushing with rapidity over tho rugged cltiis,
aud winding their way TO the might, Gulf.
tho hc may ie nlcasvd with tbs gentle brccst,
Tia, ever hlow acspss our ia,ore,l land tho AL
these eeuspirc 10 nil his seui with emotion and
tickle his fancy even - admiration, va When
he reflects especially IL he De q man IL wealth.