The Van Buren press., 1859-07-06
For TIE Van Buren Press.
Western Arkansas ard the Santa Fe Tn,

: Manifest Destiny been so fully substartiateI "a
in ours From is discovery to its Ir sent age
every step has been exemplifcation Of the vcr-
ty of the saying (alnost worthy the name OF an
Iiom) that " Westward, the star of Empire takes
its way" a combination of circumstances has
curiously wrought upcn the progress of Western
Arkansas, IN fact, upon all Arkansas. Joining
the band of States under peculiar circumstances,
she has labored under the stigma Of outlawry from
her birth to her present age Unfortunately for all
western States, they generally overrun by law
less desperadoes, who have there sought an ASYLUM
like city of refuge; from the hand of outraged
justice. Still more unfortunate for those States the
first settlers, stamp upon the country name. in
famous and lasting. Our State seems to have been
marked by the curse of furnished reputation
longer than any other State that has ever been at-
mlt'ed to an equality in the great sisterhool of
pubhcs For twenty three Years she has been
struggling to break the cloud that has dimmed the
brightness Of her star, that it may shine forth
In all Its 4ted glory aud spendor. The evi len
ees of an early dawn makes our hearts leap for Joy
and We ea,l soon be enabled declare ourselves the
rivals of any sister in the Union. Nature is too
powerful for the monster Of speculation, and we
shall soon see those boasting pafrots. selfstylcd
such, retire in shame from the project of forcing the
West to acquiesce in their nefirous and selfish
schemes. The status of the grand thoroughfare
through the country, from the Aaantic to the Paci
fe. which has been the bond contention " for
the past few years, is fully established beyond
a doubt and scarcely admits of discussion
The searching and critical Investigations made
by the Hon. John S. Phelps of Missouri, and en-
lied fr,
addressed to the citizens of this city, place the route
along the 35th parallel beyond all competition in
excellenee, and shows olp the secret plottnss and
Vaccinations of the advocates of the Southern
route No one, who reads the letter referred to- can
hesitate for one moment as to the utter impractical
biity of the Southern route To cross the desert
'f the Liano Estaeado. is task that few will ever
wish to undertake. This is dry parched table
land nearly 5000 feet above the streams .South.
ern-route-man's paradise that we would all be
glad to be driven from On the Central. or 35.b
parallel route. plenty of fuel and water NAV be
lound, and late explorations or rather SURVEYS. Of
he route disclose advantages infinitely beyond any
other. to the shores Of the Pacific This hen from
ali the evidence, must be fixed upou as the great
Path OF wealth from one border of America TO the
ofher Nature, like the star Of Bethclehem here
goes before us. and we are led through a fertile
country the entire distance with the execution of
here and there small sandy plains that may be
ed In one or tro day with ,royoRs Indians give
no trouble on this route and Dr. Floyd, brother of
the Secretary Of War, who ACCOMPANIED the Bcal ey
petition, informs that he would have no fears in
crossiig from Van Burcn TO Aalburou.roue in his
carriage and one watchful, energetic man That
,.(tt
rhey can do so without hazarding their lives. They
have no desir,, like some trhae men, to Law their
lives upon the altar of 1namnon Adecidcd stand
taken by two men of courage will prevent an at
tack from one hundred Indians Aside from this.
me route passes through the country of friendly
ihaians for great portion Of the way towards San
a I ; NJ, AMI caravans would be about as safe.
''ohE III" Cherokecs. Greeks and other tribes of
"S .''y would he in the States Again. the
'',. along the d5nn raralei ,,te ia genci.,v f,r.
t'' t''e climate fine Mt any II -.
'he year. No deep snow and seldom any NJ a., "a
no long cold winters. consequently the rd,.fe will
so'o attract those hardy pioneers who ALWAYS mark
nat ,ie rad TO great States for the soft handed
wealthy. Not many years from this time tn.
Cr.ss aad Cherokecs will nhabit one of the Uni
ted : .'s. Great strides arr being made by them
II '' better class in their Nations using every
r ~ means in their power, to prepare all things
sa ,sssdy introduction into the Union. Thi.
is.' a...omplishod, the population Of their coun
IT., viii increase an hundred fold in twelve months
and the route will he studded with habitatons
for hundreds of miles out from the western line o
Arkansas. These must be supplied with the nee
essaries of life in the way of merchandise Who
is to do this? Can any doubt for moment AS te
the answer; of course the merchants of Van Burcr
and Fort Smith must do it for many years to come
Here then, is source of revenue sprung IN
under our very door sills. Merchants who now
sell only from $50. 900 to $3.50 900 worth of good.
in twelve months must then more than double thei
amounts of purchases, and sales. The Arkansa.
river may be depended upon for nine months in tn,
year at the least, so that trouble will be exper
eneed IN getting the goods to this point. From
here of course they will be payoned out to the set
Elements. Right here is the place for the SAINTS
Fee Traders to fit out their teams and make thei,
start for the great mart of New Mexico.
shall attempt in another article (and think
shall succeed In it) to show the immense advan
tages which this route affords over the old SAINT,
Re route starting from Independence Van Burc1
is a city of little gas but good deal of capital
Thunder can be heard long ways but the refresh
ing rain falls lightly and with much less noise on.
is all sound. the other substance When a Westerr
town can put upon the list some six or seven mer
camille houses that do from $4,000 to $3.50 OoC
worth in their business besides many others tb,,
do from $4,000 to $4,000 worth, and no bocus
windy and unstable business either, it becomes
sheer nonsense to talk of that tow n being in th,
decline" 1nthe Eastern cities, Van Buren, merchants
stand No l. in the trading circles, and none of the
houses in n Y, Philadelphia or auy other of the
large cities North South do tender, foofed bnsi !
ness with the merchants of this city Then WI, y
talk of it not becoming of the first cities in the
State in few years. II has the advantages the
character and the capital. Anything in the way Of
fitting out Caravan fr Santa Fe can be procured
IN this place. The river as before sail. can bc
depended uron for getting the merchandise from
the mississippi to this place Herr, the packiur
and fitting out can be accomplished and the train
start on fine road, through pleasant climate,
entirely free from dew scarcely ever six inches Of
snow IN the coolest weather. plenty of wood and
the route lies along the banks Of the Canadian iv
er until it inersects the old first wagon route 70
Santa Fe South Of the Canadian. between the
Conchas and Pajarto creeks Of course then thcr,
Is an abundant supply of water ! viii speak Of
l,IG hrav tafx