The Van Buren press., 1860-02-10

L
and from thence to Memphis is completed,
as Memphis is the most prominent point for
the Eastern terminus OF the Pacific road.
the completion of the Fort Smith branch
will be a strong inducement to start at Mem
phis and run by way Of Fort Smith and
the 35th parallel to the Pacific coast. This
route is generally conceded to be nearer and
better than any ether proposed route, and
its central position will be likely to have a
great influence in the selection of the most
feasible and least expensive route.
If we do nothing to aid such an enter
prise we cannot expect to have the road for
ced upon US, and win deserve to see Texas
or Missouri reap the rich reward which we
had neither the energy nor public spirit to
make an effort for.
The road from Fort Smith must be built
and as we have little to expect from State
aid, and nothing to hope from consolida-
tion with the Memphis road, we must rely
upon our own energy and upon the inhu-
ence OF our representatives in Congress to
get an extension of time for The lands which
will shortly revert to the United States by
expiration of the limitation of time allow
ed for their appropriation for the purpose
OF aiding in. the construction of our road.
The selfish opposition of Little Rock and
the southern rcetion of the State to the
building of til. Fort Smith branch aust
convince every one that we must rely prin-
cIpally upon our own resources and energy
to build our road. What can induce tne
citizens of Little Rock to wish to retard
the progress of the Fort Smith and Little
Rock road ? Is it because of unmanly
jealousy of the northwest, or do they have
the vanity to think by strangling the branch
road they can thereby get the Pacific road
to run to Little Rock, ana then south by
the Fulton road, and thus make Little
Rock the great shipping point of the south
DO they suppose Vicksburg will be eclips-
ed by her glory, and Memphis be blottcd
out by the same means? Or do they sup
pose that the South will send her produce
by way of Little Rock, from thence to
Memphis and down the Mississippi to Vicks-
burg and New Orleans instead of shipping
direct to Nicksburg and thence to New Or
leans
1t seems that every other interest in Con-
gress is absorbed by the "nigger question
SO that there is no time to attend to busi-
ness of the most pressing importance. Al
most two months have elapsed since the as
scmbling OF Congress, and yet the House
is not organized, while each day witnesses
such scenes of incorporate violence as to
make every decent man to blush to think
how that august body has descended from
its former high and dignitied position. The
time once was when such scenes AZ are NOW
of daily occurrence would have been re-
garded sufficiently disgraceful to have
forever damned all who were active partic-
ipators in them.
But now being black kguard and bully
does not at all disqualify Il man from being
a member of Congress. In fact Judging
from the frequent rows OF the present scs-
sion we would naturally infer that many
men are sent there on account of their quar-
reling and bullying disposition, than from
a high appreciation of their talents and pa
triotism. y am pleased to see that the del
egation from Arkansas have SO far kept
aloof from such disgraceiul rows. If the
violent and incorporate course pursued by
members FROM our portion of the Union
against members from the other, is y rehux
OF the feeling of their constituents then in
decd is the breach between the North and the
south fearful one and a dissolution Of the
Union at no distant day forgone conclu-
sion.
When the turbulent elements Of religious
faraticism are invoked to war against the
Constitutional rights of the South, then
there are but little hopes Of 4 returning
sense of reason and justice. John Ran
dolph once truly observed that religious IA
naticism, when once aroused, will not stop
this side of heaven or hell. Itmust be con
fessed that there is little hone of favora-
BILE change in the minds of northern men
while the pulpit is desecrated by hypocriti-
cal traitors--the Constitution reviled-the
Laws of the country set at defiance--treason
to the government taught as duty to God,
and treason and murder encouraged as com
mendable and praise worthy acts, while II
bloody murderer who was executed for trea
son is lauded as saint
| am no alarmist who is always looking
for signs of danger, and ever ready to cry
out that a separation Of the north and south
is inevitable, but the times are portcntions
of evil. Dark clouds are gathering over
the future, which only the eye Of the seer
can penetrate. Treason's flag waves over
portion OF the north, and patriotism seems
pow erless to make it trail in the dust. The
South goaded TO madness by the oft repca-
tea injuries Oh the NOftH, are DuJ poorly
prepared to act with temperate discretion or
try by concessions or compromise to avert
the impending storm
Repeated concessions have been followed
BY repeated wrongs until the only hope of
safety or justice lies in a loved and deter
mined opposition to yielding recognized
rights or making further compromises with
those who make each concession a ground
for asking a surrender of undoubted rights.
Misguided zeal and uninformed judgment
have led the majority of the north to wage
restless warfare againht an institution the
practical benefits OF which they know moth
( ing about, and while led on by designing
demagogues, and hoary headed traitors they
are prepared to disregard the voice Of reas
on and the teachings patriotism and near
" sever the ties of brotherhood which have
SO long bound the north and south in one
common union, the question then arises
what shall we do
/ 1t is question Of fearful import but must
soon be solved. If the democracy contin.
ue to vote for one of their own party, there
/ is no probability of organizing the Hous,
unless the South American party will lend