The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-06-20
aashriIlf AniDp
SATURDAY MORNING JUNE 20, 1855
The North W ostern naIIrond.

Now that we have the prospect Of an
innavigabls river before Us for the re-
mainder Of the summer, we may reason
ably anticipate raids upon the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad, our only re-
naming link of communication with the
North. The past has shown us how
easily q railroad Of that length-185
miles-may be severed by mischievous
persons. At such time we feel deeply
the need Of a railroad communicating
with the North, more easily protected
than the Louisville road. The North
western railroad, projected some years
ago from this place to the Tennessee
river, and partly graded, is a much
shorter one, being but little more than
one-third as long as the Louisville road,
and much less liable TO be damaged, not
only on account Of its shOrtness, but on
account of the character Of the country
through which the route passes. Very few
bridges would be required on this route,
and we know that road is liable 70 be
injured by ILL disposed persons, in pro-
portion to its tressles, bridges and tuu-
rels, which are it's weak points.
IL is difficult matter to ipjure road
over level country, and if a rail be torn
up, or log placed upon the road, IL
costs but little time or money TO repair
the injury or remove the obstacle. We
have no idea that the road to the Ten
nessee river would require one-fOurth Of
the troops to guard it which are required
on the Louisville road.
The road can be constructed very
cheaply. Hands can be obtained in the
greatest abundance from the planta.
tons Of rebels, and labor can be thus
procured very cheaply, besides CIV
ing a neat and satisfactory prac-
teal solution TO the slavery ques-
ton. If we were to impress 25,00C
slaves Of rebel masters for this purpose
there would be over 900 hands to the
mile. The excellence of this plan would
be that while 25, 900 "American citizens
of African descent would be employed
in earning decent wages for themselves
and thus be trained TO take care of them.
selves, the same number of valuable far.
mers would be taken from the work o
raising meat and breadstuffs for the reb
Ell army. The road with this help wOul'
be finished speedily. The cost woult
be q mere trifle, and indeed nothing
compared with its value. 1t would be
road of not only present, but permanent
value. This being completed, we thinl
that the guerrillas would give the Louis
vile road much less trouble than thel
would If it were the only means of com,
muuication with the Northern States
They would not be go aptto run any risl
to destroy that road when there wa
another equally as good. One rOa,
would protect the other. ia
There is another weighty considera
ton which we viii barely allude to a
present. 1t is difficult to predict hOv
great aid the slaves may bring 70 tn
Government in the present war. It
safe to say that they have already, ami,
the most discoursging circumstances
surprised the expectations Of thei
friends. Hence it may be exceedingl,
desirable to have all able bodied slave
collected together as speedily as posi-
BILE, to be employed, on brief notice, i
such manner as may seem best for th
interests Of the nation. a
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