The true Democrat., 1854-09-27
The Cairo and Fulton Railroad
 Enemies and it's Prospects.


 sued, from its origination down to the present day, is fact that strikes an unrefecting mind with surprise, to those who are familiar with the character and circumstances of the opposl- ton, the fimsy gauge that covers the motive IS not difficult of penetration The object to destroy the friends of the scheme, and the more effectually to accomplish their purpose, they would not scruple to involve the Cairo and Full ton railroad, and, with it, the best interests of the State, in the same common ruin They are busy at the work now. The old warfare so long broken off has been renewed. The smould- ering embers which all true if tends of the State hoped had become forever extinct have been again kindled into flame Letter writers from various portions of the State are industriously engaged in disseminating false statements, and the columns of the disaffected newspapers have become mere vehicles of abuse and misrepre- sentation of the practicabilty of the road. The war has recommended more fercely and vindic- lively than ever.
 At this juncture it would perhaps not be un- instructive to refresh the memory of the public by a recital of the history of this great enter prise, which, when completed, in all of its parts, will at once place Arkansas in the foremost rank of the sisterhood of States Early in the year 1851 our Representative in Congress, Robt w. Johnson originated and brought forward and New Orleans through the State of Arkan- sas. He accordingly introduced into the Ma tional House of Representatives bill granting lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from St. Louis to Fulton on Red river, with branches from Little Rock to Fort Smith and the Mississippi river This bill was introduced many months prior to the railroad excitement in this State, and was the first m1oue ever made towards the construction of such works in Ar kansas. The bill was drawn to benefit the whole State as far as practicable, and was pres sed in the House with all the zeal and energy of our Representative but finally failed upon the eve of the adjournment of Congress. At the opening of the session following, he again introduced the same bill, and procured its early reference to the committee on public lands.- After much anxious consultation with the mem- bers of the House. finding that St. Louis as the northern terminus was fatal feature in the bill, he accepted, in lieu of St. Louis the substitu- ton of "the point opposite the mouth of the Ohio''-Cairo. This alteration gave the bill the strength that it before required, and that finally secured its passage. The members from Illi- nois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and the Representatives of the eastern cities favored the adoption of "Cairo" as the northern tem- their support and assistance was secured and the passage of the bill effected
 As far as Arkansas is concerned, the substi- tuition of Cairo'' as the northern terminus of the road, is absolutely beneficial It was wise move. By it we secure road not only to St. Louis but, in addition road to Cairo, where at once We will have direct connection with the Illinois railroads-the most extensive system of railroads on the known habtabe globe--brng- ing us into direct, cheap and easy intercourse with the whole northern and north western portions of the Union, and with the great con- mercal cities on the Atlantic seaboard.
 By it, too, the St. Louis connection will be secured. St. Louis will be driven in self-pre- servation to extend her Iron mountain road down to our northern boundary, there to inter- sect and become part and parcel of our system of railways.
 At Fulton, too, on our southern boundary, what connection have we! The most muni- fcent provision has been made by the State of Texas for the continuation of the Cairo and Fulton railroad to Fl Paso, thus forming a link in the Pacific railway, and also to Galveston on the Gulf of Mexico, city destined at no re- mote period to be one of the greatest conner cial points in the South The construction of these roads through Texas is no idle chimera. The means that have been set apart for that purpose is more than ample, and must and will draw and concentrate upon them capital suffi- cent to build them. A grant of the public do- main, the richest ever made in the history of this country for any purpose, has been appro- prated by Texas for the building of her roads and consequently their success has been placed beyond any and every contingency.
 When we consider all, these facts--the geo. graphical position of our State-the great na- tional necessity of building road through her boundaries--thc extensive and important con- nections of the Cairo and Fulton railroad. both north and south-a route direct and highly fa- vorable for the laying of ralway-the muni- ficent grant of lands to aid in its construction sufficient in itself, by reason of its quantity and Its value, to pay forits construction--we cannot divine how doubt of its final completion can be entertained by any practical man in the State
 When too we contemplate the great national im- portance of this road, and the unlimited and incal- culable influence it will exert upon the growth and prosperity ofour own State, bringing wealth and populationinto her limits, how utterly ruin-