The true Democrat., 1855-03-21
CAIRO AND FULTON RAILROAD IN MISSOURI.

CAIRO AND FULTON RAILROAD IN MISSOURI. The Gazette of this city, in its eagerness to herald the destruction of the prospects of the Cairo and Fulton railroad, has fallen into an egregious error in relation to the action of the Missouri Legislature. The Eagle and Enquirer of Memphis, announces the failure of the Cairo and Fulton railroad bill in capitals, as a matter " laid oa the shef"
 Doubtless both of these papers would be glad if such really was the case-if the Cairo and Fulton railroad really was "laid upon the shelf'' But in this instance they are both disappointed. In the Missouri Legislature there were two bills ln relation to the Cairo and Fulton railroad.- We have them, as they were printed for the use of the Senate, before us. The caption of one is, An act to expedite the construction of tue Cairo and Fuzion raizrord company ef Missouri. Granting State cralit' This bill, as we knew 1t would, failed, and is the bill, the defeat of which, is now so vauntingly heralded to the world by the Eagle and Enquirer. We were surprised that in the face of the Governors message, stating that he could tnot approve any more bills granting State credit to railroads this Cairo and Fulton bill should have received so large vote.
 The other bill in relation to the Cairo and Fulton railroad is as follows:
 C An act to conf'm the incorporation of the Cairo and Fulton railroad company ef Missouri, and to apply to tie construction cf tue same tue grant of land made to tue State cf Missouri by the Con- gress cf tue United States, and to accept said grant J land. (No State creaH)" This bill, the one desired by the friends of the Cairo and Fulton railroad, passed the Senate, where it originated, and was sent to the House. In the House, it was taken up on the 18th February and unani- mouSy passed. Indeed we do not think there was dissenting voice to the bill in either branch of the Missouri Legislature It was then sent to the Governor and that he has ap- proved 1t there can be no doubt.
 i In regard to the failure or rather the post ponement till next November of the bill grant, ing State credit, we are not at all surprised.- Indeed we are rather surprised that there should have been so strong vote in favor of the bill. It was laid on the table by vote of 56 to 56. It was bill, that, considering the State aid already so lavishly granted to other roads, could not of necessity pass, and its passage was not insisted upon by its friends in southeast Mis- souri.
 The other bill though, confirming the corpo- ration and applying the grant of lands, passed without an ohjecting voice.
 Will the Gazette and Eagle and Enquirer do the Cairo and Fulton railroad company the jus tice to state the facts?
 OUR WARNING.-We are indebted to an un- known, but it appears a friendly hand for a New Orleans paper, with the following warn ing, traced with lead pencil upon the margin:
 Dear Johnson-I fear you are wrong in at- tacklng the knownothlngs-the have swept the east and are coming west--beware or you will be one of their victims. They are irresistible
 While we acknowledge the kindness which dictated this warning, we feel constrained to disregard it. We oppose the know nothings upon principle. We are opposed to secret po- | llllcdl SOclellcS OI all sorts. Our country IS a land of freedom and we are all free to express our opinions. If they are correct: we see TO reason to conceal them; if they are wrong, they should not be entertained. As we live, we shall speak and write our opinions openly and freely, and therefore we condemn secret political or ganizations as wrong.
 If the know nothings "are irresistible" and we are to be ''onc of their victims''-et it be so. We would scorn triumph, the "ways and means of gaining which, we dared not publish before the people. Such victory would bring no satistactlon--itw would bring only humiliation. l We believe with Gen. CasS that the history of know nottingham will be one of the darkest pages in the annals of this republic. The cx- istencc and greatness of this country were the result of emigraton-its happiness, the result of religious toleration the constitution provides 1 for both and we see no reason or power to alter or annui its sacred provisions.
 De- Y