Washington telegraph., 1854-05-10
CAIRO, ILLINOIS.


Misrepresentation have been silenced for ever. and
the extravagant prophecies of S36 are more than
realized; and OF warning to all head strong ad-
venturers and presumptuous Intermediates and
schemers. 1t needs to be faithfully sketched for
coming generations.
Nothing in day appears filler of heathful
promise, nearer an astonishing iul6llment All
that has ever been oretold of its advantages and
probable growth. as the great commercial en-
porium of the west, seems likely to fall lar short
of the truth
With railway of seven hundred miles in length:
six hundred and twenty-six of which constitute
an air line. the longest and by far the safest for
swlltness of transportation to be found in this or
any other country, and running through the centre
of Illinois. to Chicago and Galena; 200 miles of
which are to be completed next month--and the
whole within two years, at farthest, what is to
hinder Cairo from speedily becoming store
house, granery, and a shipping place for the
whole west.
With natural advantage of position. occupy
ing that very point where the Ohio and Missis-
spp comes together. and where twenty Thousand
miles OF river navigation must always pour into
her lap the mineral and agricultural wealth of a
region without parallel on earth. perhaps, tor
extent and ruitulness aud for rapdity OF increase
and accessible at all times and seasons. while the
other great entre-posts of the West are closed in
winter, anu unapproachable in summer-the most
unreasonable expectations likely to be nearest
the truth.
In the New York, Philadelphia and other pa
pers find notices of private sales of lots in all
parts OF our country to have their eyes upon Al
ready we understand, building lots are taken
up freely at their present valuation VARYING from
$500 to S2,500; and the Jonesboro' Gazette ac-
knowledges the arrival of her first locomotive in
to Southern Illinois on the 18th OF last month";
We learn too, that or the Ohio shore freight
house will be built by the railroad company with
1000 feet frontage-and another of the same size
the Mississippi shore, and from third quarter
we have the names of the trustees (Thomas S.
| Taylor of Philadelphia and Charles Davis OF New
! York; with reference to certain legal gentlemen
of the highest character upon the question of title
This is as 1t should be. There must be no pos
sbe change among the purchasers; and we are
glad to see that all such things are provided
against in the beginning. We have wholesome
horror OF the law. and so have most enterprisng
business men. we believe.
Nor must we forget the five miles of embank-
ment on the Ohio side, a goodiy portion whereof
is completed: nor that, instead Of being mud wall
soplng to the river. it is to be continued stone
iortltcation against the inroads and surprises Of
mighty rivers; being 10 feet above the common
level and five feet above the highest inundation
ever known at their confiuence-and so feet broad
on the top, surrounding the whole city.
We hear much of the one man power of which
sa is, the acknowledged type among men, while
that giant with one idea the steam engine, Is
the corresponding type among mans chie inven-
tons, for concentrated energy and sngleness of
purpose.
But really we have seldom heard Of a case
where one man with one idea. however monstrous
or headstrong, has achieved more by downright
Interchangeable steadlastness of purpose. through
half lifetime, than the gentleman who has had
charge of the destinies of Cairo for the last
teen years or thereabouts
Most able coadiutors he has had of late-men
of mark. and earnestness. and strength. who have
| been building monuments to themselves. without
knowing it, and who will be ranked hereafter.
not among the visionary projectors but foremost
among the great national beneactors OF their age;
| yet for many 4 weary day. month and year,
! of darkness and peril, that man was altogether
alone. Yet he held on his way like brave ship
through stormy sea, with a seadlastness and a
! hopetulness that have continued unshahen to the
I last.
! By the way, do our people know that Cairo,
\ about which the papers so full ust now, in
stead of rising like an exhatations' within the
last two or three years, was actually laid Off or
! spotted as they would say of such gold field in
/ California. full thirty five years ago
! In 1913, charter granted by the terrific
! rial government of Illinois. to an association.
/ whose plans for making there a great commercial
tiu lOTlutD were DOUn comprehensive ana Sa9dcl-
Gus, and but for the prodigous amount OF money
needed and the death OF one who was indeed the
master spirit OF the whole enterprise, Cairo would
/ have been large city at this hour
! But nothing more was done till the proprietor
! ship came into the hands OF Mr.. ID. B. Hobrook,
/ for English account. ia 1896. With abundant cap
! ital great patience and more enlarged views the
| management has continued with Mr.. Holbrook
through all the changes that have followed from
/ that day to this.
/ For long time the great leading objection to
Cairo was the want of a back country; as if the
same objection did not lie with still greater rea-
! son against every other place on the Ohio and
Mississippi; but then, with many preiudices to
overcome. such a very strong combination TO bear
! Up against it was either overlooked or forgotten
/ that Cairo was the conveIging point, or focus OF
/ 10000 miles OF river uavigation and always ac-
4 cessible.
! Nevertheless, railway was wanted to justify
the outlay of millions and after many wears of toll
ana sacrifice, well worth the reward they are now
/ about to receive, a railway is had. But how? By
! subscriptions slow and troublesome whereby the
| interest Is encouraged to eat up its own mother
| the principals No indeed; but by obtaining a
grant of land along the line, from the United States
of two and half million of acres worth nothing
without the railway, but with it. worth countless
millions TO the coniederacy and the State of Hi
! nois, where the taxes VIII be lessened pro rata.
ana the oeot pald on oy the natural operation OF
/ the road beyond all question or peradventure. so
liberal and just are the conditions of the perpetual
and ever increasing monopoly OF transportation TO
the full extent Of its capacity, secured to the road
! by Its laws o, geographical relationship.
| Thus. by integrity OF purpose and silent sleep
/ less persevering steadiastness of aim worthy of
all praise, the expenditure of millions which for a
season threatened to be disastrous beyond all ex-
4 ample, owing to the arrangements following most
of the larger enterprises of 1896 both at home and
abroad, promises to become. and that forthwith,
I and almost while we are pennng this hurried ar
ticle one of the most certain as well as the most
advantageous of all the opportunities OF our day
for substantial investment.
Nav the Few that have outstaved The troubles
of the past be well prepared for the future; and