Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-07

these elements, the barrier might be broken
through. achieving at last the long sought direct
passage" to The East--a common highway from
that that which was undertaken by ths-sagacity
and intrepidity Of Columbus centuries ago, but
with such unexpected results, should have been left
for this age and country to consummates IS
The opening Of direct route to the Indian Seas
thus commenced by the Genoese Admiral, and so
far as we are concerned, only awaiting its compile
ton in the construction Of railroad to the Pacific,
is as great desideratum now as 1t ever was. The
Powers of Europe are vigiant to maintain their
commercial interests 10 that quarter of the globe
The forecast and energy of Great Britain, pre-.
eminent among the rest, were never more tasked
than present to secure her vantage ground there
And we have but just seen the expenditure OF uu-
told treasures, with an appalling waste of blood, in
order to maintain (the 'integrity Of the Ottoman
Empire" and thereby the right of way through the
Mediterranean Sea, secure against possible en-
croachment from Russian ambition Every exer-
ton is making facilitate transit by this chan
mel, and already the preliminary surveys have been
the isthmus of Suez to the Red Sea.
But Pacific railroad would give to the United
States decided underground in respect to this
trade, being free and direct, with no formidable ri.
walls or barbaric tribes interposed capable of OBJ
strueting or hampering commerce; no foreign
actions to satisfy; no Bedoun hordes to levy "black
mail" as stipend for "protection;" no dreaded
"Autocrat" lowering upon the path, watchful Of All
occasion to monopolise its benefits. Itwoad afford
US, without let or hndrance, all commercial ambi-
ton could aspire to, world-enriching thorough
fare pouring its tide of trade into the heart Of
country, to be diffused throughout every State,
town and village: Of all of which our Mississippi
Valley would become the general receiver and dis
penser. Here would flow the stream of emigra-
ton, freight and products from both sides of the
Atlantic on the one hand, and on the other, from
both sides of the Pacific. And where, in respect
to climate, soil or locality, could be found site
more eligible as the grand centra. terminus? How
soon might we not expect to all our sparsely
populated and waste domain converted into culti-
waited farms; our cities "enlargng their borders;"
towns and villages spruging up on every handP
If barren spot like that of ancient Palmyra
could bloom in the desert, merely from being the
halfway station of caravan traffic between the
the Syrian coast and the waters of the Euphrates,
what may not be anticipated for scope OF country,
blessed by nature above all others, when become
thus the converging point of travel and communica
ton for all our continent from ocean TO ocean,
aad for world on either side beyond!
If, in regard to great public enterprise, so CON-
prehensve in its results, the intrusion of merely
sectional considerations were called for it would be
easy to show how the Southern Pacific Railroad
would especially promote the commercial and po
itica interests of the South for there is nothing
better calculated to bestow upon her all the ele~
ments of prosperity and power. Apart from the
development of our local resources it would serve
to harmonize the interests and sympathies of the
Southern and Western States while at the time
Fastening the formation OF a number of new States
out of our Southwestern territory, destined else
to remain unproduCtive, unpopulated, a mere will
derness boundary. The only way of truly enlarg-
ing country is to extend its population. II the
South would "extend her area +" she must appro-
much talk about Kansas subscriptions towards
emigration set on foot State appropriations for
the purpose clamored for, &c. Whether Kansas is
adapted to slave labor, would be of use to the
South, know not. But this know, that we have
here means Of unquestioned and preponderating
good, comforting empire strength, prosperity, gran
deur-vast benefits from which it is hoped we will
not be altogether diverted by the squabbling and
hubbub about Kansas If important to aid Kansas
emigration, how much more to open the way for
the occupation Of that immense scope of Southern
territory, which now serves no other purpose than
to bar US out from the advantages of our western
coast; for hereby, in this double aspect chiefly de-
ponds our future glory.
But while comforting pre.eminent benefits on the
South, the Southern Pacific road could not be pre-
judicial to other sections. Here are no conflicting
interests. The good realized in one part must ne
cessarily extend, in greater less degree, to all
the rest, promoting the mutual welfare and uniting
the whole country by an indissoluble bond OF union
To none of the South western States does the
opening of this route offer more Aattering pros.
pects, than TO Tennessee Her geographical posi-.
ton and projected railroads are propitious in this
respect. By the Memphis and Little Rock Road,
via Fulton, she is put in an air line with the main
channel. The Tennessee and Virginia Railroad,
branching off to Richmond and Washington, will
open direct route from the East, through Knoxyl
Chattanooga, and along the Southern border Of the
State to Memphis; while the roads from Louisville
and Cincinnati, via Nashville, afford an equally
desirable thOroughfare from the North, through
Middle Tennessee. This, besides incidental advan-
tages, could not fail to attract large share of emf
grafton to State blessed by the most genial and
slubrious climate, and affording in its varied and
capacious resources ample scope for every indus
trial enterprise.
Besides, it. as her locality, manufacturing facil-
ities mineral wealth, and the genius of her people
would seem to indicate, Tennessee is to take the
the lead among the Southwestern States in arts,
ses which demand for their expansion the facilities
of internal communication, it is evident that to her
especially the Southern Pacific Railroad becomes an
object of paramount Importance, and that she
would be among the first to reap its benefits.
W
MISSISSIPPI CENTRAL AND TENNESSEE RAIL
RoAD.-The Jackson West Tennessee Whig, of
the 9th ult., has the following important in
telligence:
J. J. Williams, Esq, the Chief Engineer on
the Mississippi Central and Tennessee railroad,
has just. returned from the North, where he