Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-20
RAILROAD CONNECTIONS OF NASH
WILLIE.

We desire to impress upon the people Of
Nashville certain matters which lie at the
foundation Of our prosperity, and which in
terest all our people alike. We have re-
ferred to the subject of building houses, so
that all who are now here shall have COM
Portable homes, and those who may desire to
cast their lots with us shall also be accommo-
dated at rent rates which will satisfy the
tenant and remunerate the landlord. This
will open the way TO the great industrial
classes in whom the ultimate prosperity of
the city mainly lies. We also desire to pro-
mote business connections with all parts in
communication with the city in the matter of
mercantile trade. We have taken occasion
to obtain information upon the subject, and
We are satisfied that it is in the power of the
wholesale merchants of Nashville to offer
inducements that will make il to the interest
If they will do this, and fail, then it is our
fault, and we have nothing more to say.
Our retail trade is ample for all demands,
and will continue 50.
Our Railroad connections is another mat
ter of kindred importance, to our growth
and prosperity. Two of these impress them
selves upon our attention with peculiar force.
The one engaged the attention Of our people
thirty years ago, and the other was inter
cepted in an unfinished state by the war.
One Of the first, if not the very first Rail
roads, projected and chartered in Tennessee,
was designed to connect directly the city of
Nashville with Knoxville. In process of
time, we obtained this connection by way of
Stevenson and Chattanooga, and were, for
several years, content. But circumstances
are now materially changed. The direction
of the attention and enterprise Of the North
and Of our own people TO the vast mineral
and oleaginous resources of Fast and the
"mountain district" of Middle Tennessee, is
opening up new interests, and demanding
new outlets for the traffic of these interesting
regions Already, both Louisville and Gin
cinnati are striking for Railroad communi-
cation with Knoxville. Within the past
week we have observed editorials and COM
munications in the press of both those cities
upon this important subject. They have
begun to realize the immense development
which lies in this direction, and the great
wealth that must flow from it. A generous
rivalry is now exhibited, as to which shall
establish soonest the shortest and most adj
vantageous route to the centre of East Ten
nessee, and secure the rich and profitable
trade which will spring up with rapidity in
all that section.
Nashville has claims superior to either.
Recent investigation have shown that the
Western slopes and cover Of the Cumberland
mountains and spurs, give promise of the
most abundant oil Weld in all the Union.
The lands have nearly all been taken up,
and preparations are going forward to devel-
op the resources Of this entire section.
Properly and legitimately, this product will
find lis way TO Nashville Ii has no other
natural outlet, and If it goes elsewhere, it
will he forced by the superior energy and
foresight Of our more astute neighbors and
rivals Besides the commerce in oil, the
presence of coal and iron, and other miner
ais, on the line of a road direct from Nash
Vile to Knoxville, which, il the road were
open, would do SO much to increase our
manufacturing Interests, is no unimportsnt
consideration. Entertaining these views, we
were gratifed, day or two ago, TO find
communication in some Of our contempora-
res, from an old citizen, calling especial at
tention to this enterprise,
Our attention has been called 10 the other
connection above referred 20, the Henderson
and Nashville Railroad, by paragraphin
the Louisville papers, stating that certain
negotiations are now on foot whereby this
road would be carried through to completion.
We are. not informed as to the nature and
extent of these negotiations; but whatever
they are, they should attract the attention
and engage the sympathies Of our people
Years ago we were told that the coal-beds,
within sixty or eighty miles Of the city on