Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-17
Knoxville, Tenn, Sept IA. 1869.
SENATORIAL Election johnson, Ethe-
ridge and Others.

ridge and Others.
Special Correspondence PpPLrc LrpaERl
1t is with reluctance we venture to ex-
press an opinion on this subject, and
nothing but deep concern for the public
welfare compels us to do so.
We can but determine Who shall be
Senator when we ascertain what IT is he
has to do--what great object of legisla-
ton we desire to see accomplished.
l. The people of Tennessee and the
whole sopth are deeply concerned in o
Southern Pacihc railroad, The climate,
not being subject to snow and snow,driftsI
the topography Of the country, with few
or no mountains to turn or tunnel; the
production, consisting chiefly Of cotton,
sugar and live stock--leading articles Of
trsde-the best guarantee for the success
of a railroad, all point out a Southsrn
Pacific road as the one that ought and
should be built. Can any man-states-
man, scholar, publicist, merchant,
planter, ststisiician, or politician--p point
out what Woald be the effect Of such 0
road upon the future wealth. population,
trade and commerce of this country ?
If the old routes to the East in time past
hsye enriched all sections that controlled
them--if mighty cities have sprung upin
its pathways it not certain that if we
have the best, nearest and most success
full fbecause liable 10 fewer 66ib5tseiiess11
route that we may look for like results ?
2. The lspdson our great finland sea, "
the richest and most productive on the
globe, are liable to be submerged. These
lands, if reclaimed, would, one year with
another, produce more corn, hsy, cotton,
rice, sugar, ETC., than are now produced
in the upIsnds of the Southern States.
From these lands, If reclaimed. in the
shape of gold-producing staples. we
should annually produce more gold than
the mines of Australia and California
have ever produced. The people in. this
valley, in consequence Of their impov-
erished condition, are unable TO build
permanent lesees. To do so will require
the all powerful and helping hand Of
government Every citizen Of every
State, remote or near, is deeply con-
cerned in redeemiDg this valley.
Cotton and tobacco are our most re-
liable exports to foreign markets. The
Secretary OF the Treasury, in his annual
report for 1873, uses this language:
Bot for the cotton held in the Southern
States at the close Of the rebellion, the
foreign exchanges would have been so
largely against the United States that
commercial convulsion would have
been imminent, II not unavoidable. Even
in the deplorable condition Of these
States last year, two-thirds Of onr ex'
ports consisted Of their productions"
Whilst the reclamation Of these sub
merged lands are Of general interest "a
the people Of the whole country. il is q
matter OF especial interest 10 Memphis
and the people Of Tennessee II oul
city is ever TO become great, prosperous
and powerful in wealth, commerce ant
population, we must look 10 the waller
richer than the Nile to bnild up on,
Memphis-not With pyramids. bat sub
stantsl trade.
B. We need pesce-substsntial peace
the ieuds OF the past buried IN deep, deer
oblivion. We wish again TO see com
merce wave her white wings in ever,
cline aud on every sea. We wish 10 se,
agriculture and mechanics arts hourisl
and eIpand-the States restored 10 thei
pristine condition, with every shack,
aud every obstacle, personal aud DO
liticAl, removed, and the peopl,
! and States moving on hand in hand
shoulder to shoulder in the grand marcl
Of progress and development or uha
value Is the promotion OF this or tia
. mar, who perishes like grass, 10 tbes
grand achievements which are 10 last 70
ages
Without thought or 9 moments reilee
ton, the ready writer's Of paragraphs, VII
Have Esls where better ere. are bIisd.
As Tirs are taid 70 see the WindF
sdvise Ne that johnson or Rtheridge ar
the men 10 place 10 this high position
5 Toward these men We have no nnkind
{ ness, no malice. 80 far from that ~ ar
; kindly di'posed 10 both.
. SnppOse ex-Presidsnt johnson h. ~
J iecird Look At his Aniecedenisi n