The true Democrat., 1854-12-27
From the St. Louis Republican, Nov. 24th A Trip to Cairo-Railroad Commu
 nication.

From the St. Louis Republican, Nov. 24th A Trip to Cairo Railroad Commu-
 nication
 A direct railroad communication has been opened between this city and Cairo. This event is important not only as a matter of bu- slness and accommodations between St. Louis and the junction to the two great rivers of the continent but it is particularly important, as exhibiting a spirit of enterprise in the great west, commensurate with its mighty resources, and which is destined to make it an Empire whose commercial and political influence will yet command the respect and the attention of the government.
 The vest so long neglected, is rising like giant; i'll addition to her native strength she is being bound with muscles of iron, and the his sing steam that courses through her system is awakening power the results of which human genius can scarcely contemplate
 The shrill whistle of the locomotive, bear ing the flying passenger and laden with the rich freight of the country, sends It's echo across the prairie and penetrates the forest.
 Our purpose however, is more particularly to direct attention to the communication by railway between St. Louis and Cairo. In pur- suance of a notice given, train on last We'd nesday ran directly through from Sandoval-a point where the Ohio and Mississippi railroad crosses the Illinois Central-to Cairo. We were one among the few who made the trip on the first passenger train that ever touched at Cairo.
 Taking the cars on the Ohio and Mississippi railroad at Illmoistown, at fifteen minutes past eight o'clock, we rushed through to Sandavol where this track crosses the Illinois Central railroad, in the space of about two hours and a half Here we found the train bound south ready to receive us. The change was soon ef- tected, and away the cars went upon the far famed Central. The sound of the locomotives whistle had scarcely deadened upon our ear before we were greeted with the sight of new and prosperous town that had just been quick ened into being, the paint scarcely dry upon its cottages. It Is called Central City, and Is situated about four miles south of where these two great railway tracks cross each other, and the contemplated junction of the Chicago branch. Although only eighteen months old 1t Is quite village, and even now boasts of a newspaper called the Central Gazette. Before pursuing the journey farther, we would state in general terms that the Illinois Central rail road is one of which our sister State may be justly proud. The engines and cars used are of the first class and of the finest finish.
 We understand that they are fair sample of the stock to be used upon the road, when it IS completed The rails more than the usual weight, and the grading Is as complete as human industry and enterprise could accom- pish. We noticed particularly several hand some places of masonry, among others, the bridge across the Little Muddy river, where the cars stopped for a few moments. This bridge IS massive and imposing structure, ln which utility and architectural beauty are admirably combined. This Ill connection with the va rlOus culverts show very conclusivelv that per manency has been by no means lost sight of in building this road. Railroad companies in their haste and anxiety to build cheap, too often lose sight of this important feature, for substantial and lasting improvements are, at last the most economical.
 The land along the route of this road Is ex- ceedingly fertlle and not surpassed in the cul- ture of wheat and corn by any other portion of the State. Although large portion of the road Is across the prairie, there is considerable woodland interspersed, and at such distances, too as to make 1t useful and valuable.
 It is singular to contemplate the immediate effects of railroad upon the country. The wilderness, under it's influence, disappears farms are opened to g ladden the eye with their rich fruits, and embryo cities start up in the praries like mushrooms, the growth almost of single night. We were particularly struck at the ex- treme freshness of the various villages along the line of this route, all of which had been quick ened into life by this great enterprise Among the most prominent of those villages is Centra- lia, one hundred and thirteen miles from Cairo.
 At this point a large brick hotel has already been erected by the company, and will be open- ed for the accommodation of the travelling pub lie In a few weeks. This, we understand, Is to be the dining point between St. Louis and Cal TO. A short distance farther is Rlchview, a station where the trains meet each Other 1t Is near the village of Richmond, which lies about mile west of it. The country in the vicinity of this point is thckly settled, and in a high state of cultivation We passed various sta tions, all of which will be important as ship ping depots for the products of the rich coun- try bv which they are surrounded. Duauor station, situated about eighty miles from Cairo is the centre of vast field of coal. It Is found at distance of thirty feet from the surface, and is pronounced by judges to be very superior article. Its location Is such, that it must even. tually afford an immense business to the rail. road, at the same time 1t offers to the capita list rare opportunity for profitable invest ment mr N
 Great quantities of coal will hereafter be re. quired for the extensive prairie regions farther north, which will soon be teeming with an in dustrious population. Cairo is also pon where this article will be in much demand, te supply not only its population in prospective, bu the large steamboat interest which centres a this point. As an evidence of this, boats art partially supplied here by coal companies whose mining operations are about one hundre, and twenty miles up the Ohio river, but owin, to the low water and other causes the supply is so irregular that it cannot be depended upon. We apprehend that the time is not far dis tant when the products of the immense coa