The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-03-20
Tennessee and Pacific Railroad from
Nashville to Knoxville.

NdSANilAC ~ AAAOANAAACa
For the Nashville Union.
The early commencement and vigorous
prosecution 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, com to Us, urging that
it must be built at as early a day as posi-
bic. Will the citizens Of Nashville sit still
and close their eyes u the fact that CIncin
natl and Louisville are pushing their roads
TO catch the golden harvest Of oil and min
raj wealth Of the upper Cumberland so in
dispensable TO the wealth aud prosperity OF
our city? If so, they deserve to see their
storehouses empty, their manufactures fail,
the grass grow in their streets, and Their
property decline q hundred per cent. il the
next two yesfs.
What made the city of Baltimore what it
is to-day? I answer, it was that single &ash
of the pen that subscribed three millions Of
dollars to extend their railroad from Har-
per's Ferry TO 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 lie
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 to the
Southwest corners Of the State, but it viii
form a link in the great lines Of railroads
from New York via Washington City, Nash
vile, Memphis, Little Rock, all in a straight
line with the South Pacific Road to FL
Passo and the Pacific Coast.
Thar il No avamula in tha hisfory If rail
roads, where a continuous line Of such
length, and running through a country of
such population, soil, mineral, agricultural
and commercial advantages, as the one Of
which cur 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-Cap-
itol Of the State, is the geographical center
of the South and Southwest, and is sur
rounded by States of larger wealth, when
fully developed, than any perhaps in the
world. Everybody, therefore, expects
Nashville 10 take the lead in this great en-
terprise, and they stand amazed that she
does not do it at once. As soon as they see
that she appreciates her proud position and
her opportunities, they will come forward
promptly TO her aid, and TO share with her
the honors and the profits of SO noble an en-
terprise.
There are perhaps a few rich men in and
near Nashville, holding city and suburban
property to the amount of hundreds of
thousands, who may bluntly refuse to give
one dollar TO ave Nashville. Well, we can
only say that we are glad hat God will AXE
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
nav that will danh1a ia Al, VI. -.
glad TO know, too, that we can build the
road without such men. Fer what do we
live, but 10 do good, and to get good2 What
value is there, in wealth unless we so use 1t
as 'to lay for ourselves q good foundation
against the time TO Gomez" Those who
build this road will enjoy the benefits 6
thousand fold more than those few rich men
whose property has been enhanced in value
by it a hundred fold, and contributed Moth
ing to build it.. Such men must feel that
they i've stolen the increased value OF
their property from their more liberal
and e%nterprising neighbors. And al
though Solomon says ''stolen waters are
sweet, " it is true only Of those whose souls
are embittered by the guilt Of sin. A per-
Verted tsste pronounces bitter sweet, and
sweet bitter. We hope better things of
Nashville, though l thus write. Indeed, we
have heard Of two only that say they will
not help. We must nave this road. Every
negative and positive interest connected
with our city and State demands that it
should he built at the earliest day possible.
1t is suggested, therefore, that we raise
by private subscription, q sum sufficient to
make the survey Of the route, together with
maps, and reports Of cost of building, &c.,
&c. This will require three months Of labor
and an outlay Of Five or six thousand dollars.
The money paid for the survey of the
route will stand as so much paid stock in
the road. The charter for the road has
passed the Senate, and will certainly pass
the lower House; but it may be three
months before that body may be able to
pass it. By the survey OF the route we can
save thst much time, and " time is money"
Be ready Tor the first call.
JOIN P. CAMPBELL.
Nashville, March goth, 1866.