Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-12-12
Col. Tre.svant.s Card.

Col. Trezevant's Card.
The Appeal aud Avalanche OF this
morning contain an article from the pen
Of Col. Trezevani, which, without pro
posing 10 enter the arena Of controversy
as to the railroad extension TO Paducah,
contains some valuable suggestions. He
regards rival enterprise, on the part ofthe
Central road or others, with no dlsfavor,
since Il is one Of the laws Of trade that
rival lines should be governed by self.
interest, aud since emulations and rival
ries have only healthy effect. The
right thing to be done by Memphis, in his
view, is to bestir itself 10 it's own interest,
and let others freely do the same, which
is, certainly sensible and sound ad-
vice. But he thinks there is undue
apprehension in the minds Of our citi-
zens as to what Colonel Tate and others
may or will do. He thinks "it is just
about as much the interest Of 4 railroad
company TO reach great trade center
like Memphis, as it is for that trade
center to iremble for its existence every
time a certain railroad and railroad
president are named" Certainly; that
is all true enough. And it is just as
truly for the interest Of great railroad
center TO look after its own interests
in the best, speediest and most
economical manner, before others
come in to occupy its proper field,
and diminish its advantages aud render
its enterprises more expensive and diff
ficult of accomplishment, as it will be
afterward, when the vantage grounds
which it possessed have been taken away.
The question is not whether Memphis,
reused to full action and energy, can
compete against all opposing capital and
influences and advantages of distance,
which others may possess, but whether
it 10 not wiser to accept present
plan, which secures the advantage
to ourselves at once, which may be
gained over us by others for aught we
know, in consequence Of our inability or
lethargy. If we can get the road to
Paducah just now by using the capital Of
our rivals, when we are short of means,
it will give us all we desire, and make it
less profitable to others to set up rival
and shorter line, which indeed, may be
altogether prevented by the establish
ment of our own. What is most ex-
pedient-to secure the advantages
we have, or give them up to
others, lest we should be charged with
trembling before the face of monied
rival2 If we can get road now and in
short time, just as cheaply, just as good
and just as valuable to Memphis, by
closing with a proposition made to us,
with which we are able to comply, is it
not better to do so than to wait uncertain
contingencies and doubtful possibilities
as to raising means, when after all, if we
succeed in them after struggle of few
more years, we can do no better2 That
is sort of within and whistle for which
it would seem we would thus pay
quite too dearly. The best way to pro-
mote the interests of Memphis is to seize
the advantages we have, and make the
most of them at once, and now, rather
than wait for those we know not of, and
which may never come. Close with the
proposition of Tate, and we have road
assured in double q uick time, which will
be worth millions to our city. Refuse,
and we may get on slowly with our one
horse coach, and vemsy not. We advo
cate the interests of Memphis, and not
those of Tate or anybody else. Yet all
the world is welcome to get rich by
helping our city on the way to greatness,