The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-05-05
A RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.

a RAILROAD TO TIL FAC1E1C-
The vastness of the undertaking enlists
various political, commercial and
others. Fears are entertained of the FEAST
bility of such project. Constitutional
doubts are interposed. and the power or
right of the Government to aid in the mat
ter questioned. But most great and impor-
tant enterprises are after all carried forward
through individual enterprise. and generally
with more success and certainty than when
dependence is placed on legislative bodies.
The Pacific Railroad is likely to be no ex-
ception to this rule. While Congress is
discussing, seeking for and surveying the
most feasible route, and establishing wagon
roads, which are vastly important in them
selves and are the commencement of that
iron chain which must eventually bind us
together in indissoluble bonds, private
company, having no connection with the
Government. have actually commenced their
operations and are already pushing their
enterprise forward with a zeal and "a GER
tainty of complete success, that has already
enlisted the feelings of almost the entire
South and the cooperation of many of their
most influential and moneyed men. Of the
early completion of the Southern Pacific
Railroad there is no longer doubt.
The intelligence from the South and
West in regard to this great scheme Of in
ternal improvement settles this question:
Ample means have been provided to build
the first division from the Mississippi River
via Monroe and Shreveport, La. to the line
of the State of Texas, from the line of the
State of Texas to Ell Paso, distance of
some 7S3 miles. Texas gives 76 sections, or
1866 acres to the mile Of valuabte land to
the Company, and also loans to said Com
pany $4,000 in United States Bonds
drawing interest. and which are now worth
premium in market, for every mile of rail-
road built by the Company. So that the
means at the command of the Company
will build the road and leave a large sur
plus in the hands Of the Company.
Upon the first division of this road in
Louisiana, the iron is laid, and the cars
running, and large force at work to push
on the noble enterprise.
On the first division in Texas the iron
has been purchased-is received and will
be laid down without delay. There is am
pie means now in the hands of the Compa-
ny, together with the amount of United
States Bonds that will be advanced by the
State of Texas to contract and equip fifty
miles more in that State, without b0rroaOin e
a dollar or selling an acre Of their lands.
The value and Importance of these rich
lands to the road, lying in State which is
increasing in wealth and population more
rapidly than any other in the Union, can be
better understood by referring to the long
est and most valuable road in the Union
The Illinois Central which has been almost
entirely built by bonds of the Company,
the value of which bonds are predicated on
the lands belonging to this corporation
These lands now find a ready sale in the
market at from S. to $18 per acre, and
though but 1.-THE of the quantity donated
to the Southern Pacific Road by Texas,
they will pay for the entire road and leave
large surplus to the Company whose stock
is now worth in this market 131!
The books for subscription to stock in
the Southern Pacific Railroad, were opened
few days since in n. Orleans, and $780,
600 paid in cash, and q desire to take a
much larger amount of stock, expressed
by the leading planters and capitalists
throughout the lower valley of the Missis-
sippi. Several thousand laborers, in few
months will be at work to build and con-
struct rapidly this gigantic scheme, which
is designed soon to connect the waters of
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The
wagon roads to which we have referred,
when open from Ell Paso to the Pacific
will form a natural bed for this great ma
tional work.-N. Y. Neus.