The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-04
Something About Texas.

| IHE present time is marked by unusual en-
thusiasm In planning and prosecuting works
OF material progress throughout our younger
and sparsely populated States. A vast chain
of canals and railways, wanting but few
| links here and there, which are being rapidly
| supplied, already binds the extremities of the
country together. The North now carries
on large and increasing commerce with the
South, from Portland to Galveston, along a
continuous line of steam communication, and
the irresistible perseverance of human will
las crossed the Isthmus of Panama with a.
double band Of iron rails over a causeway
sown with the bones of thousands who
perished in the construction of the highway
But while these huge labors have triumphed
in the face of every obstacle, there is one spot
upon our may where, by singular ne
gect internal Improvement has as yet made
but comparatively little advance, although the
path is free and inviting in every direction,
and great inducements are held out to encour-
age enterprise. We allude to Texas.
1t is strange, yet most true, that of all of
oul later acquisitions OF territory, his charm
ASSANh VA mdJ6SClC
woods, stretching along some three hundred
and fifty miles OF coast, indented with nume-
rous excellent barbors, extending inward to a
remarkably level country, without impedi-
ment OF stubborn mountain or foetid morass
possessing peculiarly agreeable and salu-
brious climate, soil rich with the untouched
vegetable deposits and decays of centuries,
and spotted here and there with well-timbered
forests of the most valuable trees. 1t is most
strange, we say, that this, of all other infant
States, is least known and appreciated, and
least invaded and improved by the march of
the ages progress. Why is there not per-
feet system of railways connecting all the
available parts of Texas with our great COM
mercial centres, and giving happy impetus
to the tide OF emigration towards, and sue
cesstul agricultural industry upon, its verdant
prairies ?
The advantages OF Texas for railway con-
structiOn and communication are not sur
passed, il equalled 1t is, as we have said,
country of very even surface; its soil is of
marvellous fecundity, and its productions,
already valuable, are capable OF being rem
dered immensely abundant and important
Its facilities Of water traffic internally are
comparatively limited; it abounds in fine
timber; its climate is remarkably healthful
and genial; and, finally, the Government of
the State holds out liberal encouragement to
tempt the cupidity and insure the success Of
our railway tinanciers and capitalists.
Let not those rolling miles of field and
forest, then, remain long fallow and neglected,
save by the wild deer and the solitary
hunter. There may be-indeed, there are
within its recssses veins OF the same spark
ling ore tor which our young men have braved
death in its most fearful forms amid the wilds
of California; strong arms and willing hearts
are all that is required to find It, and every
spadelul of soil turned up will return a muni-
ficent reward in plenteous harvests. The
goddess OF agriculture is the veritable deity
OF the tabled ophirI Spread your railways
over Texas, people it with some of the sturdy
laborers who now waste their energies in dis
content at home, or in hopeless toll and sick
ness amid the miasnata of the further gold
regions, and the ships and cars of commerce