Washington telegraph., 1854-03-08
The Pacific Raitroad.


We learn that the New York company,
organized under the auspices of the Hon
Ron'r j. WALKEa, for the construction oil
Railroad from the Atlantic to the Paeille,
has adopted the route beginning opposite
Memphis, Tennessee, and passing through
Little Rock and Fulton IN Arkansas. 10 the
Texas boundary, and thence to III faso,
where II crosses the Rio Grande, aud pur'
sues the line marked out by the recent ruf.
chase of territory by Gen. GApspEs, South
Of the tii!a river We sincerely hope this
information may be reliable for in the pres
ent condition of affairs, We may look up
on that scheme as being the only well
grounded aud rational hope Of Arkansas for
Railroad through the centre Of the State,
for some time TO come.
We are aware, that in making this assor.
tion, We may arouse rrgiadiees already en-.
gendefcd in the minds of few by the pol.
icy We have heretofore advocated in regard
to the proper disposition of the Railroad
grants made to this State. But. as we pre-
fer being right to being popular, wc shall
continue. as long as We conduct a public
Journal, to say, regardless of consequences
to ourself what We honestly believe to be
true, and what We think will best promote
the interests and prosperity Of the State
We have often heretofore objected to the
tardy policy that has been pursued ly the
Governor aud bis friends, in relation to the
Cairo aud Fulton road We repeatedly in.
sislod, shortly after the grant was made by
Congress to the State, that then was the
most auspieious time for speedy and deei'
syc action-that capital was then abundant
aud seeking investmcnt-that commerce
was ilourishing aud daily opening new chan
neis Of trade and that everything was then
propilious for the commencement aud speedy
completion Of the enterprise but the Gov
ornor and his advisers believed in mas.
terly inactivity" and our regret is that mol
they alone, but the whole State for years iC
come. will be involved in the evil consequent
ees of their course.
That Arkansas will continue TO increase
in population, and her resources be gradual
ly developed, We are confident, for the iact
is becoming daily more impressed upon the
public mind. that she contains within hor
borders by far the finest unoccupied portion
Of the eot,on.growing region. Lands 50 fer
tile and cheap as she las to offer the cmi'
grant, will ere long be settled aud cultivated
but. We must be permitted to express our
doubts Of her being blessed in any reasona'
bic time with the invigorating influences Of
Railroads, unless built by the Pacific com.
pany, aided, as il doubtless will be, by the
general government, and the magnificent do
naiian af Taxas
The time when our State might have oh.
tanned the necessary assistance to aid her in
the construction Of the Cairo aud Fulton
road. was when the whole civilized and com
morcial world was at peace. That time
was permitted to pass unimprovcd; and now
that all Europe is likely to be engaged il
war, the enc and consequences Of which th'
most far.sighied and sngacious canno, pre-
dict, nor ean any one fcrctell its influence
upon commerce aud capital, must throw
doubt and uncertainty upon all Railroad en-
ierprises that look 10 foreign and oxtranc
Gus aid for their commence mcnt and com
plction.