Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-12-15
From the South Arkansas Democrat.
 Swamp Lands


 the Governors message, that we would make a more careful examination of the views and recommendations of the message relative to the swamp lands, connected with the yarious railroad projects now on foot within our state. We hesltated to speak then, because we beley- ed that there was no part of that excellent docu- ment that contained matter of more vital im- portance to the general interest of the State. or in which her immediate prosperity was more deeply involved. We have carefully and anx- iously watched the progress of these enterprises or works of internal improvement from their incipiency and have actively participated in every movement in our section of the country that was in the least calculated to advance their interest. We have wept bitter tears of regret over every failure, and almost maddened at the careIessness of the people; but still we have never despalred, and are now ready to grasp with delight and gladness any and every pro- position that satisfies our judgment of its cor rectneSs and beneficial influence. Bat experi- ence has taught us a lesson: it has induced us to be somewhat wary somewhat careful of graspng shadows. We have learned that rail- roads do not spring into existence in a day. and at every mans bidding,-that something more is necessary than the wishes, the desires or the imagination, which has built so beautifully and securely so many splendid roads upon paper, that live but with the thought, and vanish as the morning mist before the rising sun. That the roads now in contemplation, those recom- mended as the benefciaries of the swamp lands by the message, are all-important, every ono ad- mts, and their completion would materially and benehcially change the whole aspect of business III Arkansas. They would infuse life and vitality into every section; the wilderness. now dark, gloomy and uncultvated, would be converted, as by magic, into waving fields and blooming gardens, and prosperity, wealth and happiness flow in their wake But amidst all these allurements, these great inducements to urge upon us the immediate adoption of a plan so promising of good, We must pause and give 1t that sober consideration which it's inn portance justly demands at our hands. Tho first thought that strikes us in this investigation is, as to the right to divert the swamp lands from the original purpose of their own reclama- ton, as directed in the act of donation. None we presume will contend for moment for any such right to do so immediately The intent of the donor must be carried out; any act of ours Tn dlspoSing of them, whereby this may be changed or the purpose materially affected, or indeed in the least jeaporadzed, would be not only m bad faith, butillegal--void to all intents and purposes, and therefore not to be thought A plan by which the railroad interest of the state may be promoted and the reclamation of the swamp lands not interfered with, reason. pru- dence and good policy teach us unhesitatingy to embrace 1t.
 In carrying out the views and recommenda. tions of the message, there are several matters ot importance to be considered the first of which IS, as to the power that the lands may have to ocomplete the works. Already most of these roads have large land donations; have had them since 1853, now nearly five vears--half the time Ill which the whole works have to be completed, by the act of donation-yet with the solitary exception of the Memphis and Lit tie Rock company, not one has been able to turn wheel. The principal company having the charter from Cairo to the Texas hne--the great basis ot all the rest-are even now before the legislature praying to be relieved from the responsibility of not having done the little that was required of them two years ago. The power and ability of the companies to do the work, and that within a reasonable time. with the assistance of the lands, mast be settled afhrmatively, orit would be folly and madness If not positively dishonest, to place them there. Our means of information are not sufficient to enable us to come to any positive conclusion as to the extent of their abilitv we know full we'll however that the lands themselves will not build the roads. and unless fully assured of the company's capacity, with the assistance of the lands, speedily to complete them, not one foot of the swamp lands at any price, would we give for any amount of stock certificates.
 But the final completion of the roads are not alone to be considered; they must be built speedily. The present condition of the country urges this consideration strongly upon us, as af- Itc cptt pl Il inf of irl viduals. These swamp lands have residing up- on them numerous Cltizens,- s,--hard working. honest farmers. who have been invited there by the pFe-emption laws of previous legisla- lures. Their homes are there; their all is there; every tie that binds them to the country is there their rights and their interests there fore must be attended to. The country is fast | filling up; our lands of every character are eagerly sought for; an excellent class of men are offering themselves as citizens; we want them much-the land is here--our finest cotton lands are our swamp lands not yet in market. large portion of the general country has been tied up for years by railroad reservations--the people are impatient and camorous and only to be restrained by the hope that ere long the rusty wheels of the companies will be suffici- ently greased in same way or manner to per init them to move on To close the country further, under such circumstances, without certainty of speedily re-opening it. would be disastrous in the extreme.
 In mentioning these matters we wish not to be understood; we are not making opposition to the propositions; we have ever been the fast and unwavering friend ofralroads; we want to see them in every section of the country; we know their great power to promote every interest of a community, and no trival matter wonld stay our efforts in their behalf. We are pleased with the views of the message; we trust that they may be carried out if it possible to do so hon. estly and correctly, without injury to those m portant interests which we are bound to ouard and protect. To the wisdom of our leqjsiature is this matter given; they have every means of information within their reach and we doubt not that they will address themselves to the work with patriotic zeal; and being assured of the capacity of the companies to do and per- form the work without unnecessary delay, by the assistance of the plan proposed, in Gods name and our countrv's good, we would urge you 10 hesitate not; do it--build these roads and brilliant honors will cluster in unfadiug wreathes around your brows, and the blessing ot happy, grateful people will follow you to your graves.
 NEW GANnIpaTFs FoR THE pRESInFNcv