The Van Buren press., 1860-01-20
Our Railroad the interest Mem
phis has in its construction

Hest tlvely appreciation Oi siS IL" PeS
of direct Railroad extension through the
State of Arkansas, via, Van Buren to Fort
Smith and thence along the 35th parallel
to the Pacific, they fall short, in their esti-
mate of the real value of the support which
Memphis would receive in the additional
contribution of Arkansas commerce, by
such an enterprise.
| We refer to the fertile cotton region
Though which the first part of the Road
passes - and their wants and ambition
seem to be entirely alleviated by the small
prospect thus opened to them. Our Mem
phis friends should bring to mind that the
benefits of the limited cotton region I" on
the first part of the route, is the least of all
the great Advantages, that Arkansas can
confer upon their city, provided that rail-
road enterprises can be set on foot, to devel-
ope the great resources of the "young gi-
ant of the West" They should not ignore
the value of the immense "cotton region"
consisting as it does, of the entire country
through which the Road will pass, from the
Mississippi river to the Western boundary
of the State. The entire valley of the Ar
kansas river, from its mouth to Van Buren,
and Fort Smith, is q fine cotton region and
cotton is successfully cultivated. 1t is true
that the upper region of the valley is but
partially developed as . cotton country, in
consequence of the distance from market,
and the uncertainty of the navigation of the
river. But in the :section where the staple
has been put under cultivation fine article
is produced, and the yield Of the lands is
richly compensating the planters at this
time engaged in this branch of industry
A Railroad through this region would OBJ
viate the Inconvenience and cost of trans
portation to market and would soon de-
velope this whole country into one vast
cotton field.
When We consider the millions of acres
that would be cultivated in cotton, and the
immense crop of this staple which would
find it way annually to the Memphis mar
ket, by the success of the contemplated en-
terprise. what the future prospects of that
already thriving city may be, should excite
our most sanguine imaginations.
But the " cotton region " will not be the
only contributor to the wealth OF Memphis :;
to this region, through the whole breadth of
the State, is added an extensive area of the
finest grain growing lands, which are now
fast filling up with enterprsing farmers and
stock raisers. The products of this section
would swell the contributions to the wealth
of Memphis.
That important and increasing branch of in
dustry in the north western and a large por-
tion Of the northern counties of the State now
seeks market South. whilst the remainder
goes to st. Louis. Their beeves and hogs go
North their horses and mules are driven
-four. fruits and bacon are shipped down
the river to New Orleans, or the CLOVER
country" whenever navigation permits,
and is wagonei South when other facilities
do not offer. Through these channels
their nearest market is found; but had we
Railroad, Memphis would be the depot of
this trade
But another and important branch of the
resources of Arkansas, that of our mineral
resources, is worthy Of our notice. These
are only in part developed; but geological
examinations and accidental discoveries de-
monstrate the variety and inexhaustable
character of our minerals. Coal and iron
abound in great abundance in half of the
counties on the line of the proposed road.
Lead in rich veins, has been know to exist.
and to a limited extent, to be worked in the
contiguous mountainous region but dis
tance from market render them vaiuless. A
Railroad through the country would soon
put in operation smelling machinery and
mills. and the development of these mines
would contribute to the prosperity of Mem
phis.
We refer to these facts to impress upon
our Memphis friends, that if the contem-
platcu hOdO WAS not continued DeyOnu the
Western line of the State, the immense re-
sources of Arkansas and her rich trade are
ample to build up city on the banks of the
Mississippi, to rival in her commerce and
wealth New Orleans and ST. Louis.
The support to Memphis of the country
on the East side of the Mississippi, is com
paratively mere neighborhood support, to
that which she would receiye from the
"young giant of the wesr." If her citizens
have the enterprise and energy to command
it, by her Railroad system. But great as
are the inducements which Arkansas alone
offers. they dwindle into insis ni6cance
along side of the immense prospects which
opens to Memphis by the adoption of the
35th parallel route for the Pacific Railroad
by the extension of this road to Califor-
MIA. The considerations on this subject
have already been calculated by Memphis,
and by all other cities that hope to secure
the &" Mississippi terminus of the Great
Pacific Railroad.