Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-16

RATEROAR TO MEMPHIS.
From the selma tkla) Timesl
We are gratifed 10 see that the people
Of Memphis have found out that there is
something Of interest in Central Ala
bama. Until they were developed by
the necessities Of the late war, the re-
sources Of this country We're not known
abroad, and not appreciated at home,
except the single article of cotton, which
was king in this country, if not else
where.
But the war, which did us so much
harm, and devastated so much country,
did US a service in this, that we have as
certained what nature has done for us,
by being forced to become q nlanUfac-
turing as well as an agricultural people.
But for the war, the intelligent and en-
ergetic citizens of Memphis, perhaps,
never would have known the extent and
quality Of our immense fields Of coal and
rich deposits of iron.
But for the material wealth of Central
Alabama, mineral and agricultural, the
Confederacy would have lived only two
years instead of four years; and but for
the war, Improvements in -machineryand
the construction of railroads would have
Jagged, and We, to this time, perhaps,
would have known but little of the value
Of natural advantages.
We do not wish to be understood as
maintaining that war is necessary for the
advancement OF a people, or as admit
ting that we do not regret the terrible
one through which We have lust passed.
No man with a heart or brain, who has
seen his country laid waste, and his own
friends bleed and die for a cause which
they and we religiously believed to be
just, can do otherwise than regret the
s~utferings, the losses, and the result of
that struggle.
But it is over, and we have accepted
the result. However painful the condi-
tons, We expect to abide by them, what
ever theymay bring Of pain and morti-
hcatlon and now IL is not treason to
improve the advantages with which we
ind ourselves surrounded, n-otwithstand-
ing many of these blessings have been
developed by the incidents Of war. On
the contrary, would not our p0sterity
charge US with utter neglect of their in
terests individually, and treason against
their interests and our nationality, to let
pass into other hands the vast resources
Of this country ?
We did not begin this article to write
about war, patriotism, or treason, but the
subject matter of a railroad to Memphis
brought, very naturally, TO our r~ecollec-
ton the many gentlemen from that fast
young city who were driven hither by
the fate of war, the most of whom were
engaged in bringing to light the wealth
OF TINS country; and very naturally they
ran of after the war. These worthy
gentlemen have left us and gone back 10
their homes; but we are very sure that
this desire on the part of Mem
phis to connect with us is based
upon the reliable information carried
back to that great center of trade BY those
who were so prominent in bringing ont
in a manner eminently practical the hid
den treasures Of this section which are 20
tempting to a commercial and manufac-
turing city. We are not surprised that
the sagacious minds, and practical BUSH
ness eyes, and cultivated and successful
business habits of the Memphians can
and do see and understand and appreciate
the tact that the future greatness Of that
city viii be enhanced by a direct and prac-
ticable road to and through such a coun-
try as this. When we say direct. wedon,t
mean by Grenada, jackson or Meridian
on n siGe, or by COrinth or Huntsville
on the other. IG is not known, generally.
how much Of this direct route is almost
a road now, and how easy it is to make
the balance. From Montgomery to Mem
phis is about 300 miles. Who thougbt
the distance so short? We supposed il
nearly a thousand miles until this thing
was agitated. From Montgomery to
Selma the road Is in course Of construc-
ton and nearly all graded, fifty miles.
From selma to Newbern lin nearly a
straight lineI forty miles are in running
order, with a liberal charter extending
in the right direction to the State line
and we see by the Memphis papers a
charter is in existence through Missis-
sippi, This is the state Of the case, and
We will wait not very patiently to see
what steps are being taken by Memphis,
and when taken, if done in a fair. sensi-
bic and practical manner, we expect to
indOrse her action.
We have said this much on the subject
only to bring it before the people. News
papers are not often large stockholders
IN any enterprises outside their proper
profession, and the editor is not iu the
habit Of grading a road or laying the
track, but as faithful sentinels on the
watch-tOwers Of our social and business
as well as political fabric, we will ever,
as heretofore, be found the advocates of
any and all improvements that tend first
10 the advancement OF Selma, next to
the prosperity of Alabama, and then to
the promotion of the great interests of
the whole country.
If this brief notice of this Important en-
terprise shall elicit from our people indi-
cations of a willingness to look into its
merits, much more can and will be writ
ten, going to show conclusively whata are
the interests, privileges, and duties of
Central Alabama on this subject; and
we cordially invite and request that All
persons who feel an interest in it, espe-
cially planters and railroad officers, to
examine into its merits and report to this
office, lor any other where interost Is ia
ken in it,, either in person or by written
communication SUCH facts as may bear
upon it. 1t is a big thing and will
require much of both thought and labor
to put il through.