Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-06-30
Cairo and Fulton Railroad of Arkansas.


 This improvement cannot be otherwise than interesting to our citizens, as it will connect with the northern system of railroads at the mouth of the Ohio, and open direct commit ncation with the rich and fertile interior of Arkansas and Texas. Judge Cross, the Rep resentative for several successive Congresses of the former State is President of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad Company, and has been so- journing four or five days in our city, at the house of his friend, Prof. Wm. F. Roberts, Through him we learn that the road is amply provided for, and will be commenced under favorable auspices during the current year. Its means consist mainly of over one million of acres of land granted by Congress-; between S3OOOOO and $4OO,OOO of local State subScrip- tons, with prospect of increase to double the amount; the right of way and alignment that will admit of no competition. Most of the lands appertaining to the road lie within the finest cotton region of the United States and are exceedingly rich and valuable. These lands alone, under judicious management, ought to yield an amount more than sufficient to cover the cost of the road and its equip pment. Those on the northern side of the line are well adapted to the culture of grain and tobacco, and abound, as we are informed by Professor Roberts, in rich and valuable minerals, such as copper, zinc, lead, iron, etc., besides several va- rieties of coal. The route as surveyed from the mouth of the Ohio to the Texas boundary, near Fulton, on Red River by Captain James 5. Williams, late of the Coast survey, encoun- ters no rocks or mountains of a formidable characteristic grades at one or two points only, reaching ffty-two feet to the mile, and in the entire length of over three hundred miles not exceeding an air line by more than seven miles. From report of the survey made by Capt. Williams, as chief engineer, the cost of the road per mile, even at the present high rates of iron, cannot be much over twenty thousand dollars, on account of the favorable character of the country through which it passes, for grading. A g lance at map of the United States will show the vast extent of country west of the Mississippi river, brought within fifty-six hours of our city, and of the country bordering on the northern lakes by the accomplishment of this important improvement. It could scarcely fail to add millions to our trade annually. At pre- sent it is, we understand, cut off from the mar kets of the world for three fourths of the year, ln consequence of the uncertain navigation of the Arkansas, Ouachita, Red, Sabine, and Colo rado rivers Even in the floods of these rivers access is tedious, expensive and hazardous-- productions and fabrics entering into the con- sumption of the country invariably going by way of the Mississippi to New Orleans. and thence against the current to their destination Seasons sometimes occur when throughout the entire year those natural outlets of the country are too low for navigation, and intercourse du- ring such seasons IS suspended. Under such circumstances the proposed road would seem to be inevitable as a requirement of trade or commercial necessity. Indeed, in the absence of the munifcent grant of lands made by Con- gress to aid in its construction its ultimate sue cess would seem to be inevitable. The Cairo and Fulton road, connecting with the great central railroad of Illinois, at the mouth of the Ohio, thence traversiug the country in south westerly direction, almost an air line, to Fulton on Red river, near to which it connects with the Galveston and Red river, and Memphis, Fl PaSso and Pacific roads of Texas; now being built with ample means for their completion, will in conjunction with the former, present a continu- ous line from the lakes to the Gulf, that in commercial importance, and moral and politi- cal influence cannot be surpassed by any in the Union; and by the latter will constitute one di- vision of the most reliable commercial and practicable route for the Pacific road, now en- crossing so largely the public mind It ap- pears to us that the next Congress might well consider this as route that would, i'll connect Ing the northern and southern portions of the Union, subserve more than any other the in terests of both, and thus become a compromise Ilne of lntercommunicaton between the two great divisions of the continent. Would not It's charactern this respect exercise all influence in concentrating northern and southern means, and allaying northern and southern preudices?
 It must be apparent to any intelligent un- prejudced mind that the united resources of the nation will be required in the accomplish mont of the Pacific road within any reasonable period of time. This great road should not be prosecuted a sectional but a national mea- sure and as such, will, if ever, be accomplished -Philadelpiia Argus.