The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1858-11-13

doubt if there is one in the whole State who
would not be benefited directly or in
directly to this extent; while TO many the
benefit would be four-fold. But suppose
that here and there, there may be an in
dividual who may receive no pecuniary
benefit; he at least will have the noble
satisfaction ofhaving contributed to the
general good of his neighbors, friends and
countrymen. He would be proud of the
fact, that he had responded to the duties
and obligations of generous patriotism
and that he had acted upon the still higher
obligation ofdoing unto others as he would
that they should do unto him. That he
had obeyed the great commandment to
love his neighbor as himself Is not
such feeling worth more than the money
that it will cost? Money is but trash when
compared with those generous emotions
that rise up spontaneously in the human
heart, under the consciousness of a noble
act. But do not myself believe that the
money cost will be anything, which will
| not at an early day, be either directly or
/ indirectly returned. And so deeply am
( convinced on this point, that not only
| ask, but beseech you to impose this tax on
myself in common with others: and will
esteem it a benefit-though even now my
gin house is within 10 miles of railroad
| depot. This is to me present facility
far beyond that now enjoyed by a very
large majority of the people of the State.
Suppose this tax to be imposed even for
fouryears, land do not believe that halfthe
time will be necessary J itwould, as before
stated, be but 81 ,000on 100000: it would
only be change in an investment, that
might otherwise be put in a negro, a small
piece of land, or some other property, to
aninvestment in railroad stock, and which
l believe so soon as the roads are finished
will pay dividend of at least from to 10
per cent. per annum which is as profta-
bic as planting or any other safe form OF
investment.
have given the effect upon the planter
worth 100000. l will now give its effect
upon the small farmer, who owns no tax
able property but his S0acres ofland, worth
SIS per acre This would make his taxable
property S400, upon which tax oft of one
per cent. would be but one dollar-while il
he makes bales of cotton. and saves but
one dollar per bale in freight and general
charges, he would have saved five dollars
: for the one he had contributed to the road
But this is not half of the goodit would
: do him it would double the value of his
5 land, would enable him to diversity hi
labor, would furnish him a ready marke
4 for every bushel ofcorn, shingle, hoop-pole
or oranything and everything he might make
> From this course of reasoning it is appar
}, ent that we are all interested in the com
II pletion of our roads. And what so eas,
n as to complete them? / will suppose tn
: properly ADove proposed to De taxed 10 3
: worth S4O0, 100000, which is an approx
nation to the true value-a tax of ! of on
percent. on this sum would raise annual
81 100000; which in four years. or muci
: less, with the individual efforts il wonl
! excite, would finish all our roads now i
progress. For it is more than probabl,
that the imposition of fsuch a tax would in
spire esuch confidence, in the bonds ofth
{ different railroad companies as to max
them saleable at par, and thereby enabl
the companies forthwith to complete tn
: roads, thus after even one year, justifyin
: arepeal ofthe tax. Or the tax, after tina
{ time might be continued, and the proceed
= oft, in the wisdom ofthe Legislature coul
! be applied to the great State work, of ms
:. king the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad
= which already has reversionary intereS
z in all the investments heretofore made b
the State in the different railroads. A
. ter such an ultimate declaration of pul
!. pose, there would be no further difficult
in raising the money necessary to the o.
! ganization of the company for the col
struction of the Gulf and Ship Islam
!; Railroad. But on the contrary, this gres
= work would be forthwith undertaken
= and progress rapidly to an early compl,
= L ton. Thus preparing the means of builC
= ing up within our own borders, great sc
= port city-on as healthful locality as
'9 be found in the world Such CITY woul
u fully develope the agricultural and con
mercial power of the State. 1t would Fl
is and retain our present wealth and pom
70 lation, and would invite additional non
If lation, labor and capital from 9th,
o. States of the Union-giving to our Sta
g almost boundleSs wealth.
20 | have thought it proper thus to ca
> your attention especially to the CUR q,
l. Ship Island Rdilroad-because from fin
"a to time, during the last eight wears. Il
10 I Legislature has manifested dispositiC
u to mature project for connecting Sh
:. Island Harbor by railroad with those pc
rS tons of our State which yield the gre
~ staple of our commerce, and with h,
~ magnificent timber region. The impo
Is tance OF this connection is more apparel
IN now that the early completion of lines
n railroad in progress through the Stat
le assures us that we will be enabled by thi
er connection to avail ourselves of the who
OF vast railroad system of the United Stat'
n, in developing the capacities of the harbC
OF as shipping point,