Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-30
Railroads and Politicians

Taking the following morceau from that independent know nothing democratic, old guard, etc, etc., hebdomadale, ycleped the Fort Smith Herald, as basis, we wish to say few plain words to the people,
 '' It is the duty of the press to lead the public, by informing its mind upon impor- tant subjects, and where is the paper, in Arkansas, that has devoted itself to the cause? The True Democrat, with an i'm mense circulation, anl powerful influence, fearful of offending particular companies or sections, has always luggea far behind pub lie sentiment, and devotes its columns to political wrangling = seeking to elevate some, by putting down others.'
 Our readers will bear us witness that we have at all times, published everything cal culated to advance internal Improvements in our State. Indeed we were accused of be- ing visionary; of indorsing impracticable schemes; of attempting too much. Now, it appears, we have not done enough. The charge against us is too ridiculous to need refutation. It is no less slanderous on the other papers. Some of them have labored untiringly and devoted columns every week to the cause of railroads. The press has done its duty, but the great curse to the country has been that small beer politicians and aspiring demagogues make or try to make a political question out of it, and the people become disgusted with them and their roads. When fnanciering politicians from Missouri came, and by giving branch line down the Arkansas valley succeeded in getting the overland mail route from St. Louis by way of Fort Smith, they were lauded and invidious comparisons institut- el between the delegation in Congress from this State, and that from Missouri The branch to Memphis is failure amt bad one, because it was so intended The peo- pie of Sebastian county were deIuded with the idea that Fort smith was included. and the line of railroad would follow But no reasonable man supposes that Butterfeld & Co.,, will travel on two sides of a triangle when they can reach the same point bys going on the other side. X motion was made in Congress to let the contractors fix the route, and when that is done the stages will leave the Missouri line and intersect the parallel in the Indian country But for the sake of political effect at home, tenn porary advantage offered by sh1cwd men was taken, a certain amount of political capital was made and true interests were lost sight of.
 Whatever may be the comparative me- rits of the 32d and 35th parallel routes is immatcrial but unfortunatelya hungry po- litean seized upon one of these as a hob by whereon to ride to Congress. All through the canvass they suug and shouted |" Both parallel" He came down here and sung the changes on 1t, till every page of the journals contains mention of it. Ad- hitting it to be all that is claimed for it, yet it was evident that it was used by men NHO NdACu HOClilliS dbOul lIle IOdu lO tlle | a. cifc, but who were extremely anxious con corning the road to Washington City.
 One thing our Fort Smith friends may depend upon: If the initial point of the Pacific road is at St. Louis, it will never touch Arkansas. If the people of western Arkansas want the road to pass through their region of country, they must encou- rage the building of the road from Mem phis up the Arkansas valley. And they must do mere. Whenever these busy po- liticians for the sake of making political capital out of it, endeavor to make it a party question or means of popularity they should choke them down.
 It is a misfortune that great enterprises like these should be thwarted by the ma neuvres of men who would sell their souls to gain office; fellows who take hold of it because it may contribute to their popula- rity, and let t go when help is most need l ed. To build road or roads in Arkansas, we must act in concert, discard the rivalry of localities and sections, keep the question clear of politics and work for the general good.