Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-08-24
From the Huntsville CAla.) Independent.
Decatur Railroad Convention.

For more than twenty years past, the people of
this State have been spasmodioaly talking and va
porting about great Central Railroad fIom North
to South Alabama They have talked great deal,
and dcne some work, but there has never been that
unity of feeling which should exist to insure the
success of a great public enterprise. good deal
Of money has been expended upon q road starting
at Selma in South Alabama and which is designed
to terminate at Gunter's Landing, Tennessee riv
er. But want of unity and cooperation among
the people of the two sections has greatly retarded
this enterprise and many Of its friends have almost
despsired Of its success. Another route is now
brought forward, and its claims are being actively
and most energetically cRnVassed This rival route
is from Montgomery TO Decatur, and is designed 10
be q link in great chain Of Railroad which will
extend from Chicago, Lake Michigan, to Penss-
cola on the Gulf of Mexico A glance at the map
will show that the project is feasible one. There
are roads now in operation, being built, over the
entire route, except the link between Decature and
Montgomery. There is now, we believe, railroad
Communication between Louisville and Chicago.
From Louisville to Nashville road is being built,
and will be cOmpleteda at no distant day. The work
is being pushed forward on the Tennessee and Ala
bsma Railroad, between Nashville and Decatur.
The running at each end and it VIII not be
long until they meet-and then North Alabama viii
be in direct communication with the great Northern
Lakes. Now it is designed to continue the great line
from Decatur to Montgomery, and from Mon gone
~ to Pensacola thus completing of the greatest
lines in the Union The road from Montgomery to
Pensacola is already being built, and thirty or
forty miles of il, we believe in operation.
The friends Of this route held a convention in De-
cRtur On the 18th inst. Il was of the largest
and most enthusiastic meetings we ever attended.
very large and able delegation was in attendance
from Montgomery, as we'll from most of the coun-
ties in North Alabama. Gen GEO S. HOUsToN pre-
sided over the convention. He explained the object
of the meeting in a happy and f0rcible manner af-
fer viii Han I Of HAof-
man of the committee resolutions introduced
the following, which he supported in q most able
and eloquent speech:
RssolUea That a connection between North and
South Alabama, by means of first class Central
Trunk Railroad is Of the first importance to all sec
tions of said State
Resolved, That in locating said Road, direct refer
ence shall be had
LIST. To its centrally in the State from North to
South
ID. To develop the mineral resources of the State
as shown by Geological Surveys made by authority
of said State.
Sd. To the cost Of said Road so as to have the
shortest and cheapest practical line, which shall be
central and at the same time deVelope the mineral
resources of the State
4th. To its connections with other Rail Roads in
the State.
5th To its centrality nationally, so that it may
constitute link in great central line for travel
and freights, North and South, extending from the
Gulf of Mexico to the Northern, Northwestern and
Western States.
ReS0IUsd That in the opinion of the Convention,
the line of the Tennessee and Alabama Central Rail
road running as one continuous Road under the
same charter, South, from Decatur to Montgomery,
crossing the North East and South West Railroad
at near Elyton, in jefferson county, to make
it easily accessible TO- and form connections with
Railroads from Selma and Tuscaloosa more fully
meets the foregoing requirements than any other
road in the State; and that the charter Of said Ten
nessee and Alabama Central Railroad, with the
consent of the stockholders therein should be so
amended by Legislative action as t. cOnsummate
these objects.
ResolUed, That the members of this Convention
unite in favor of and adopt said Central Road as best
meeting the ends so long desired by the people of
said State and pledge themselves individually, and
body, to all proper exartOns to have said
Road constructed and put in operation at the earliest
practical period.
These resolutions were unanimously adopted.
W. J Sykes, Esq, of Columbia, Tenn, then ad-
dressed the meeting in speech of some length and
considerable force At the conclusion Of Mr. Sykes
speech, Capt Mahan announced dinner. The large
audience then adjourned to the tables, where they
psrtOOk of a most excellent barbecued dinner. Per,
feet order characterized the proceeding.
After dinner Col Thos. Peters, of Lawrence
addressed the meeting in his usual brilliant Style
We left for home while Mr.. P. speaking.
In conclusion, we may say thet the Decatur Con
vention was all that the most ardent friends of the
enterprise could have desired. Perfect harmony
and unanmity Of feeling prevailed, and much enthu
sIasm was manifested. The delegates from the
South no doubt more than realized their expeets>
tons in the cordial reception extended to them by
the people of Decatur and adjacent country From
what we saw on that day we must conclude that the
road will be built If the country through which it
is designed to pass, is at ali practicable.