The Van Buren press., 1860-01-20
For the Van BareR Press.
L. r. and f. S. Railroad.

Mr.. EDITOR: As devoted citizen OF the
Western portion of Arkansas. beg leave
to present through your columns few
thoughts upon the probable future of the
above named road as gathered from the in
dications of the present as developed more
especially by the meeting held on the 10Th
at Little Rock, by the Directors OF this and
the Memphis road. We all know the result
Of that meeting was the determination on
the part of the delegation from the L. II. d
F. S. branch to reject the proposition made
to them by the Memphis company. This
action will meet the entire appreciation OF
all persons in anywise interested in our road
when they consider the inevitable effect con-
templated by the Memphis company. BY
their proposition they betray their indomita-
ble affection for the Fulton road, and from
it we may not unreasonably conclude
that their secret intention to sacrifice this
branch is beyond all cavil or contradiction
Their desire is or was to get the fine lands
donated to this road under their control, and
influence, to build the Memphis road to Lit
tie Rock and then take an interest in the
Fulton route, and let the Fort Smith branch
whistle for their road. This was fully and
undeniably manifested by the avowed pref
erence to the Fulton road as expressed by
the President of the Memphis road. Want
of confidence MAY do well as plea for those
who either care nothing for our road, are in
terested in the Memphis and Fulton road or
are fagrantly ignorant concerning railroad
matters generally. Why Memphis wishes
to go to Fulton is more than an unprejudic-
ed mind can see What greater benefits that
city can expect from that route over this,
no one in his senses can conjecture. We can
account for this folly in only one way, and
keep within the bounds of reason. We at
tribute all this to the influence of Little Rock
which is and ever has been an antagonist to
the West They puff and blow about the
interests of the West, whenever they have
"pet out for some office in the power of
the people to confer, but at the same time
are stabbing us in the dark by declaring that
we have no land worth cultivation, no mon
ey, no responsible citizens. The most in
famous and unfair tricks are resortcd to by
the people who talk or write in and about
Little Rock, in order to smother the good
qualities of our lands and citizens. Infiu
entail gentlemen from other S.e.-~ seeking
hon,.e in Arkansas, are stopped and dis
suaded from coming to this portion of the
State, by the most untrue stories of the
poverty Of the West, of its want Of trade,
etc. 1t is high time we of the West were
taking the i" bull by the horns," and exert
ing all the influence in our power to resist
the consequences following from the iniqui-
tous conduct of the arch humbugs who
dwell in the city Of Little Rock and vicin-
ity They talk of the poor trade in the
West, and venture to say there is more
money circulated in one month here than
in three in the city of Little Rock that
there is land in Crawford County one hun
dred acres of which is worth three hundred
in Pulaski County. Some, who know moth
ing of our country may conclude that tins
is only empty boasting, but the facts can be
established by indisputable statistics. Fig
ures can be shown that will give the lie di-
rect to tho fabrications of the sovereigns at
the central cess-pool of iniquity and cheat
ing. Little Rock stands in about the same
attitude in relation to the West as the
North does toward the South. They boast
of their independence, their internal strength
their power of selfsupport. Let me re-
quest the people of the West to test the
boasted strength of the central city. They
are continually fighting against our inter
ests, let us do the same. The ler talionis
may be practised with perhaps little effect
In the first place we know the power public
journals exert over the affairs of people
generally. We know the goodw hich would
result to us if the newspapers at Little
Rock would only now and then lay the
scorpion lash upon those who erimiually
neglect duty to the prejudice of the West
| ern people. For instance IN the matter of the
triweekly mail. Now these papers obsti-
nately refuse to assist us by their influence
although itcould not possibly detract from
| them or injure them pecuniarily or other
wise. In view of these facts l propose to
the citizens of the County of Crawford and
| first of the city of Van Buren,, that we dis.
continue our subscriptions to every Little
| Rock paper. l subscribe and have done sc
| for some time, for two, and lattery for three
journals in that city. l will freely and
cheerfully discontinue all these who will
second this proposition? We have taker
these papers long time, and it has beer
quo. Let us march up to the rack and with
hold every cent we possibly can from the
purses of our hostile friends. Let us Civ,
them one dig in the ribs anyhow If they
are not at the bottom of the project fo
building the Memphis & Fulton road at tn,
expense of our road, they are, nevertheless
richly deserving of our censure and uncom
promising opposition for the existence ant
toleration of the " terrapin mail line
One thing will unavoidably be the desti
ny of the road now just begun by the con
tractors. Waddell, Black & Co., and it i,
this it will be pushed to point on tn
Arkansas river just this side of Ozark
steamers can reach that point at almost al
seasons of the year there the trade will
meet produce of the Western country
Cotton, Corn, Wheat, etc.,-will then b
taken upon steamers to New Orleans, theme
to Europe, (provided trade with the Nortl
should be suspended or in case it shoul,
not to New York or other eastern cities
In return, dry goods and all other kinds o
L