The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-06

Among the States which have reputation for en-
terprise, Florida has never had much Standing
Since the discOntinuance of the Seminole war,
which, while it lasted, was asserted to be an ex-
tremely productive operation to many of the peo-
pie of that State it has been generally thought to
be in a rather langushing condition. Everglades
-hammocks- swamps, rife with malarious life,
vegetation, and disease-flir and temperate coasts,
where health may be sought by those who have
despaired of it elsewhere--keys for the wrecker,
and ponds for the ayman-tropiCal skies, tropical
fruits, and tropical dolce far nientc-legends OF
PoNCE DE LEON and De SoTo, and OsCEoLA, and
TIGER-TAIL, and BILLY BowLEGs-all these ele-
ments duly blended make up the popular conception
in these comparatively hyperborean regions, of the
dreamy 'Florida Terra" Now, outside of the circle
of Gradgrinds, who conscientiously post themselves
about all the truths which may be represented by
figures, we feel quite sure that none of our
readers can tell us how many miles of railroad
there may he begun and ended in the mild
peninsula. Will any one say twenty?
Oh certainly, twenty We all remember that IA
nous line between Tallahassee and ST. Marks.
with wooden stringers fiat rail, and snake-heads.
Some of us tried it in 1858, and considered an ex
preston of special thanksgiving appropriate after
having safely passed over. IA poor apology
c'or a railroad" the Pensacola Observer calls
it. But that was in 1855, five years
ago-quite an age in the career of en-
terprising States, but nothing for Florida, which,
since the days of old Ponce, had constructed only
an apology" twentyone miles long. Gentle
reader, YOU are mistaken The last five years
have been quite as prolific in the "blooming
Gland" so far, at least, the production of rail
ways is concerned, as in any other portion of our
busting country-nay, population and circum-
stance considered, more so. Not only has that
Tallahassee and st. Marks railway, which we all
have lust felt free to Sneer at, been regarded
and laid with heavy rail, but there are, In addi
ton. over two hundred miles completed, three
hundred and forty-one graded, and the iron for
one hundred and ffty-eight miles of the unfn-
ished portions purchased. When we take into
consideration the drawbacks which have retarded
the population and improvement of this State,
and that it has longer coast line than any other
in the UNION and, therefore, is in less need of
railway facilities, this result must be regarded as
very remarkable and as another striking evidence
of the energy which the entire South has lately
exhio'ed In railway enterprise. The fact that the
South is the producer of bulky staples which are
not consumed on the spot, but required to be
moved TO the seahoard, marked the region az one
where the ihtroducuon OF railways wasindicated by
considerations too cogen to be disregarded, and the
success which has attended the Southern routes 40
far shows not only the sagacity of their projectors
but the judicious and economical manner in which
they have been built and operated 1t is certainly
a favorable circumstance that no Southern rail-