The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1859-03-12
PROPOSED LATERAL RAILROAD.

call is made through our columns, and has been
generally circulated by handbs, FOR meeting, to
be held in this town. Saturday, March 20, TO take
into consideration the construction of lateral rail
rord from Clinton to the Great Northern and Jackson
road.
Any one who will take the pains of examining the
census of this parish, for the year 1885, and compare
It with that of 1858, will find that there has been
considerable dminution Of the population, particu-
larry In that Of the slave portion. The actual differ.
encc, in the number of slaves, is 322 less; $500 in
1853, 9.GGS in 1855 When the natural increase of
this class is taken into considerations the loss to our
Parish Is not less than 1900 slaves i'm the space of five
Years. 1t is not our purpose inquire into the eau
scs that have produced this rcirograde in our pros
periiy. The fact stands palpaly brforous The on
~ inquiry Is, or should be. how is this tide of retro
erosion to be stayed? What means are within our
reach TO change this decrease into an Increase? TO
restore TO our Parish its former wealth and popua-
ton. and place it once upon the high road to
prosperity. OF all the means TO accomplish this. the
only feasible and most practicable one, in our matu.
rcdopinion, is the building of This lateral railroad.
What are the advantages to he derived ttcrcirom
They are manifold. A more direct communication
with the city of New Orleans. The opening of large
bodies of wild lands, for cultivation simmer resi-.
dcnccs for city dwelers and the conv crng tho valu-
able timber thereon, into lumber. This is partially
the benefit the country would derive. Now for our
town. Clinton would he the natural terminus and
there is probability that the road would ever be
extended from this point. The history of all roads
show, that the towns thus situated. have rapidly
grown in size. population and Importance, dnd such
would prove to be the case here.
Clinton, has in its immediate vicinity the water
power and all the necessary requisites for manu- actu
ring purposes and were this road built many occt-
pa,ionS. now carried on in New Orleans would SODA
be located here, thus bringing large increase of
capital and population. Its health the purity Of It's
water the salnbrity Of its atmosphere. and its loca-
ton, all combine to make il most desirable country
retreat, aud with its growing schools would soon
furnish all that business men might desire safe and
pleasant home for their families and all the convc
niences and facilities for the education Of their chill.
drcn. These are but 1.-THE of the advantages to be
derived from the buldng Of this road
Let MS look to the urgent necessity for it,
construction. Tie only means for tie receiving and
forwarding freights, Is the Clinton and Port Hudson
Rail Road, purely neighboIhood road in bad repair
without passenger accommodations during the past
season, cNorbitant charges. particularly upon up
i"ghts in short totally inadequate for the business
demands of the town and parish. Add TO this. the
necessity of rcslpmen and the perls of the river
navigation. Our people complain loudly of this, but
have a. yet have taken no steps to provide remedy
Here is feasible one that only requires combined
concert of ion and unanimity of feeling to accom-
psh The building of this lateral will bring us with
in four hours distance Of New Orleans.