Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-10-14
MRNPHIs. October 4, 1859.
NO- I copy I
WEST TENNESSEE.
Commercial Relations Discussed.

To the Editors of the Union and American:
During q recent visit to West Tennessee,
was struck with surprise that the trade of so
rich and pOpulOus region should be permitted
to DRIFT into other channels-tO be drawn to
rival cities, within aud without the State undis-
turbed by any counter efforts of Nashville men,
The influences that operate, to thus rob slash
vile of commercial rights and advantages pro-
coed chiefly from st. Louis. Memphis and Lou
isyille which is well known TO every intelli-
gent business man in the city. These three
cities portion out the spollS of q territory that
has no superior IN point OF agricultural wealth,
from here by railroad. The people of West
Tennessee and the city of Nashville are homo
geniOus; and their social relations are intimate,
while their commercial relations are widely
estrauged. Emigrants. from the counties of Mid
die Tennessee. tributary to this city, constitute
the largest element in the population of that
section. They and their pOsterity have made
the wilderness they found the Egypt of the
Mississippi Valley, producing all the great sta"
pies of the country. And when the natural
feelings of those people are with US, not an ex-
traOrdinary amount of tact could have long
since secured the golden PRISE our crafty
friends of the cities above mentioned, have
snatched from US, almost beyond hope of re-
demptiOn.
We. find nearly every farm in the river
counties has growing upon il wheat,
corn, cotton and tobacco, and the soil
is Of such character that heavy crops of each
| staple are always gathered. And this is a key
to the unexampled condition of prosperity and
thrift prevailing there. Young towns are spring
| ing into xistence-spreading out visions of new
lumber and white paint until the eye becomes
satedj but in those of older establishments sub
stantial bricks are rising under the toll of the
mason, and improvements of a more elegant
and durable nature seems to be the aim of peO-
pie generally. Throughout the rural districts
everywhere the structures of by gone days are
being abandoned for neat modern frame or brick
houses, while the farmers all have plenty Of
| money; resulting from the wisdom of the cul-
tivation Of an equal amount of cereals to cotton
| and tobacco. the latter being clear gain. Such
| course, with the advantages of soil and eli
mate. will make any people rich.
saw hundreds of them from Gibson, Dryer
| and other counties going TO the st. Louis fair.
| They were OF class that don't spend money on
4 pleasure trips when money is scarce. l assure
you that this circumstance Inundated me no
| little when reflected that perhaps not as many
| as two hundred from that whole section would
| come to the Nashville fair. Those St. Louis
men bad arranged with the roads to carry them
for half fare The causes of the enlargement
| OF trade that legitimately and geographically
belongs to our city exists principally
| in the apathy of our own merchants,
| ever business men, and the balance of the
| blame eau be laid to the wretched rail-
road facilities Without rejecting upon
be, disguised that this thoroughfare is in a
bad condition, and is avoided as a means OF
| travel or transportation. 1t has adEmany diff
cultles TO encounter; and it should by all means,
| be placed in good condition.
| Self interest, the most potent motive of hui
man action would seem to inspire our citizens
| who have capital, energy, and brains to pue
forth the elements necessary to Illustrate tht
schemes of those who are vitality interested in
cons gning our beautiful city to the obscure
destiny Of a provincial village, and in making
her pay tribute to their commercial power.