The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-12-12
PAc1r1c RoAD rnRoueH TExAs.-The Gin

fully written article on the subject Of the rail
road to the Pacific, in which the route through
Texas, is advocated int very liberal and intel
]gent spirit After reviewing the government
renorts. and congressional action thereon, the
conclusion is arrived at that the government
has substantially abandoned the construction
Of any road on its own account, and as the
work, great as it is, must be constructed oy
private enterprise, aided by the States, the
Texas route IS the most eligible. It's central
character is defended, as accessible from the
middle and northern States, without any diff
Guilty, by connections already made or in pro-
gress, and the immense advantages Of the uni
form mildness OF the climate, and the great
saving of distance, are urged with very great
force. They are the same urged in the report
to the New York capitalists, Of which we took
particular notice some time ago, and tits graft
flying to see them SO well appreciated in intel
lgent quarters, where different interest was
looked for.
The Record pursues the subject leading to
the conclusion that the land grants of Texas,
for the construction of the road through her
limits, form a basis upon which the road can
be built The principal authority for the sta
tstics of these computations, is the report Of
engineer Gray, to be found among the con
gressional documents. His conclusion, it will
be remembered, is, that the land grants of the
State of Texas may be estimated, for the build
ing of the road, at the enormous sum OF forty
four millions seven hundred and eighty mine
thousand seven hundred and sixty dollars, and
the cost Of the road through Texas, at about
twenty millions of dollars; SO that the road
could be constructed on that basis, through the
whole breadlh-seven hundred and eighty
three miles-and fund still be left of nearly
twenty five millions of dollars. From El Paso
to the California line, the estimate of colonel
Gray asked for $16 200 900 for the building
of the road, and S8, 63l $50 for the road from
the portion of California to San Pedro or San
Diego. The whole cost of the road. therefore,
is set down as less than the sum which its con-
struction would realize from the land grants Of
Texas; but the sum depends on the completion
of the road throughout. AS partial road,
local for Texas and the east, it would not pay
at all, as gov. Pease in his late message ex-
plains at length. The Record thinks it is with
in the region Of possibility that this basis for
such work can be made available, and really
it looks very plausible on paper. The magni-
tude of the undertaking has, however, dis
couraged many, who have little confidence in
the computations and faith in the grand results
which they promise. The Railroad Record ac-
knowedging the force of these difficulties, is
hopeful that they may be overcome. To ac-
compish it, demands ''a great concentration of
means, great prudence and energy in the pro-
secution of the work. and an untiring and in
domitable perseverance. These qualities are
hard to unite, but such things have been done,
and why not in the enterprise which offers such
an immense and glitterng premium to talent
and enterprise?'
CUBA HOPELESS. Havana correspond
ent of the Charleston Standard, writing under
date Of the 25th ult., writes doloriously Of the
prospect of Cuban independence. He says:
Since my last advice, the fate of Morales
has been decided by the action Of the captain
general-his sentence to death commuted to
eight years hard labor, which has to be per-
formed in the Havana.
This gentleman, you will remember, came
here in a steamer a few weeks since, as an
agent on the part of the Cuban junta" in
New York, to breed revolution. He was ar
rested Immediately on landing, and the evil
dence of his misson-found upon his person
and in his possession, showing to demonstra-
ton that the authorities were preadvised of
his business, and, it is said, of the description
of everything he bore with him, ncendiary in
character. There is no longer any material in
Cuba to be moved by the Cuban iunta-the
spirit of that sort of enterprise is dead, worn
out by repeated failures, by the confirmed de-
ception of the self-constituted agents of Creole
!,
Creole means, drawn from Creole credulty and
the general attention is drawn to
the industrial interest of the country, which
leave no blood spots for sad reflection or sor-
rowful hearts. The spirit of improvement, in
It's best sense, seems to have aroused the Sleep
ing natures Of the people, and almost every
body is beginning to have something to do be-
sides plotting for his neighbours neck, and in
dolence will soon have disreputable associations
n our moral estimation.
Mr.. WISE AND THE PREs1DENcY-Mr Wise
las written letter to friend in Virginia, in
he course Of which he says:
The idea of the presidency has not been al
owed to enter my head. That iron has not
public mans usefulness to make such an impu-
aeion upon HIS dSpiTdttouS. Dlu Lie oentluei
% intend? 1t looks very much like as if its
ears were father to its thoughts. lean on that
subject, state | mean to keep the even tenor of
ny way. without fear, favor or affection. Ifthe
democracy would be guided by me, can find
me hundred men whom prefer for the presi-
lency to myself. can find two, at least, in
Virginia. One you know of very well. But
the democracy can again succeed, and cannot
gain unite upon better man than am. and
hey will unite upon me, can only say I will
"a la mode Extraordinarily and effectually
ule black republicanism, will rule them! But
he idea of ruling or not ruling them shall not
urn me hairs breadth from my own convic-
ions as to what my duty as patriot requires.
will write, speak, act as l think right, and
cave the consequences to God and ''the coun
ry." without thinking of the presidency.
We admit Mr.. Wise to be ..smart'' mana
treat man, if his friends like the expression bet
er-but he would cuta very sorry figure while
trivlng to initiate Andrew Jackson. 1t would
,e like a tallowcandle attempting to dispense
light while the sun was shining.
The DEMOCRATIC PARTY.-In taking the po-