The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-06-06

important result 10 the state ana It's cltl2enS,
how can we withhold our support when there
is no constitutional barrier TO prevent but on
the contrary, ample authority and an implied
command to do so. in the 100th Article Of the
Constitution itself.
confidently believe, that wise system Of
railroads, properly and .iudiciously constructed
throughout our State so FAR from impovcrlsh-
ing the State and expressing the people with
taxation would he source from which the
state would derive its greatest income II
would relieve the people from taxation instead
Of increasing it, nm told the Governor OF
Illinois. in his last message says, that the rev
enue from her railroads will soon delroy the
entire expenses Of the State. We know that
the great states of Pennsylvania and New
York are deriving immense sums OF money
from their railroads and canals
What state, in the whole Union, has done
more for railroads than the state of Georgian
What state has developed its resources, increa-
sod its wealth, and contributed more to the
convenience Of its people, than the Empire
state Of the south? With o larger amount Of
poor lands than any other southern state, she
has not stopped il her career Of greatness to !
count the cost of constructing her railroads, |
but has gone forward regardless Of the bar
rcnncss Of her soil, or the natural impcdimcnts
in her way, and has succeeded in making her
self one Of the most prosperous states III the
whole Union She hns over five millions Of
dollars invested in railroads, travcrsng every
!, part Of the country.
Virginia, too, is wide awake upon this great
} subject. aud isno lending its aid in construct
!, ing roads in every direction, within her Dor
dcrs, thereby not only enhancing the value of
hut, hap n
I market, and Of social intercourse which they
never enjoyed before. The effects Of her rail
road system has already proven IFS beneficial
advantage by the general voice Of her people
and the Greatly increased productions of the
, state. Tennessee also, is lending her aid IN
r the same way, bv giving ten thousand dollars
. per mile. Florida has contributed the entire
donation Of the swamp lands coded to her by
! the General Government and supposed to be
/, worth ten millions Of dollars This prnccIy
! sum she has appropriated in the construction
of two roads about six hundred miles long,
travcrsing the state in opposite directions.
! Texas, too, is marching onward in the same
. career Of greatness by fostering numerous rail
roads in her midst. Shall orr beloved Lousi-
4 ana remain behind her sisters, or will she car
= ~ ont the design of the trainers Of our consti
: tuition by granting aid 10 all companies organ
) lied for the purpose Of making internal i'm
:. provementS, within this state, VIII never they
! have compiled with It's provisions, in good
: faith?
, Mr. Speaker, have often listened with de.
. light to the feryid cloquencc Of my venerable
!, FREUD from Ascension Mr. Randall, as it has
!, come warm gushing from his heart in behalf
), Of his favoritc measure OF internal improve
mcuts Sir he has, more than once, cleetri.
II ed this Honse by his thrilling appeals to the
. members to lay aside every thing else, and giro
j, on their armor and do battle for this great
:, cause. He has long since convinced every one
! that his head and his heart were both engaged
:. in the success Of this, his darling policy Of Tho
: State.
i Now sir, ! appeal to that distinguished gen
, tleman TO come forward and support this mca
Il sure, MS part Of that great system Of ntcrna
- improvements, which he says is TO make Ioui
i Siana the garden spot Of the world, and whicl
! is to make It's waste places TO bloom and bios
som rs the rose. Yes, sir a system which i,
to deyelopc the hidden Resources Of the State
! and make It's future greatness and proaperir,
20 snrpass that Of any other state in this grea
: coAiclernry Of free and sovereign states.
T. ask his support for this bill upon its own mcr
,e its rs well as being part Of this great sys
!, TEN. | ask it as a matter Of justice TO N,
10 constituents, whom it will greatly benefit, b,
y aiIordng them facilities to market for thei
= produce, and us u means Of intercommnnca
IT ton with the people Of the rest Of the State
y ask it also, because it will be paying road
% and will return at least ten per cent upon tA'
= capital invested
N trust that those gentlemen who no doubt
u voted against the New Orleans and Batol
II, Rouge Railroad, from conscientious regar(
~ to duty, will not feel themselves preclndco
'e thereby from voting for this, which Stands up
u on much higher ground as a work of profit t.
u the State, and Of necessity to a large and high
Sc ly agricultural portion Of her people. 1t vii
OF be a necessary adjunct to the New Orleans
~ and Baton Rongc Rail Road, without which
IL that one never can be profitable.
Mr.. Speaker, in conclusion, would observe
~ that if this railroad is not built, and the ont
IA from Clinton to Port Hudson is abandoned, a.
20 it must be- Because the cost of keeping it npi
~ too great, the people Of very large cotton
he growing section Of this State, and the State 0
q Mississippi, will have to haul their cotton from
J. 80 to SO miles, to get to some point on thi