Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-20
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THE TENNESSEE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
FROM NASHVILLE ID KNoxyILLE.-The
early commencement and vigorous prosecu-
ton Of this railroad is Of the very highest
importance TO the business men and property
holders Of Nashville and the State at large
Appeals from abroad as well as at home,
from merchants, manufacturers, and oil and
mining companies, come to us, urging that
ii must be built at as early day as possible.
Will the citizens Of Nashville sit still and
close. their eyes 10 the fact that Cincinnati
and Louisville are pushing their roads to
catch the golden harvest Of oil and mineral
wealth Of the upper Cumberland, so indis-
pensible 10 the wealth and prosperity of our
city? If so, they will deserve 10 see their
storehouses empty, their manufactures fail,
the grass grow in their streets, and their pro-
perry decline a hundred per cent. in the
next two years.
What made the city Of Baltimore what il
is to-day2 / answer, il was that single dash
Of the pen that subscribed three millions of
dollars to extend their railroad from Har-
per's Ferry 10 the Cumberland Coal Mines.
That city now holds five millions Of stock in
that road, and although the most costly road
built in the United States, its stock is twelve
per cent. above par, and cannot be bought
even at that price.
The Tennessee and Pacific railroad, from
Nashville TO Knoxville, will not only give
US a great trunk road, over four hundred
miles in length, from the northeast 10 the
southwest corners of our State, bit it will
form link in the great line of railroads
from New York via Washington City, Nash
vile, Memphis, Little Rock, all in a straight
line with the South Pacific road TO Ell Passo
and the Pacific Coast.
There is no example in the history Of rail-
roads, where continuous line of such
length, and running through country of
such population, soil, mineral, agricultural
and commercial advantages, as the one of
which our road will form the middle and
principal link, that has not paid large divi-
dends.
But then we must appeal more directly to
our own citizens. Nashville is the capital
of the State, is the geographical centre of
the South and Southwest, and is surrounded
by States of larger wealth, when fully de-
yeloped, than any, perhaps, in the world.
Everybody, therefore, expects Nashville to
take the lead in this great enterprise, and
they stand amazed that she does not do it at
once. As soon as they see that she appre-
ciates her proud position and her oppOrtu-
mites, they will come forward promptly to
her aid, and TO share with her the honors
and the profits of so noble an enterprise.
There are perhaps few rich men in and
near Nashville, holding city and suburban
property TO the amount of hundreds Of thou
sands, who may bluntly refuse TO give
one dollar to save Nashville. Well, We can
only say that, we are glad that God will
take them out Of the way presently, and
their property will fall into the hands Of
those who will use it for the public good,
and in a way that will double its value. We
are glad TO know, too, that we can build the
! road without such men. For what do we
live but to do good, and to get GOOD? What
value il there in wealth unless we so use it
as "to lay up for ourselves good founda-
ton for the time to come p Those who
build this road will enjoy the benefits a
thousand fold more than those lew rich men
whose property has been enhanced in value
by it hundred fold, and who contributed
nothing to build it. Such men must feel
that they have stolen the increased value OF
their property from their more liberal and
enterprising neighbers. And although Sol
ONION says stolen waters are sweet" it is
true only of those whose souls are embittered
by the guilt af sin.
A perverted taste pronounces bitter sweet,
and sweet bitter. We hope better things OF
Nashville, though thus write. Indeed, We
have heard of two only that say they will
not help. We must have this road. Every
negative and positive interest connected with
our city and State demands that it should be
built at the earliest day possible.
Il is suggested, therefore, that we raise by
private subscription, a sum sufficient TO make
| the survey of the route, together with map'
and reports of cost of building, &c. This
will require three months of labor and al
outlay of five or six thousand dollars.
The money paid for the survey of thu
route will stand as so much paid stock in thu
road. The charter for the road has passed
the Senate and will certainly pass the lowe
House but It may be three months before
that body may be able to pass it. By tn,
survey Of the route we can save that mucl
time, and time is money" BE ready fol
the first call. JOHN p. CAMPBELL.
Nashville, March 20, 1866.