Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-05-27
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.


path in which the greatest prosperity lies
1t is true, always, that prudence should
retained, but foresight should be practiced
and enlightened, liberal progress pro
NOTED. Too much can never be spoken il
behalf OF railroads, for il is true that popu
Iation, wealth and development, in mari
fold ways, accompany the locomotive. II
o veri6cation Of the value Of railroads, lie
any one look at the superiority of thos'
sections and States that have built rail
roads over those which have not. MOI
should selfshness usurp the helm, and
strive TO drag opposition in the pathway
of any proposed line, without fairly hear.
ing the merits of the particular case
Rather should generous spirit of just
progress be felt.
| will lay the basis Of certain point
TO which | desire to call attention
before closing, by certain other things
l wish 10 say. First, great de-
msnd now of the times, is, the
shortest and most practicable inter-
oceanic communication. Upon the autbo-
rity Of Horace Greeley the Union Pacific
railroad, running by way of Omaha and
Chicago, does not fill the definition of a
railroad, because it cannot be used 365
days in a year-nor near this. A new lire,
under tie advantageous circumstances sur
rounding, unavoidably, will spring up to
abe carrying trade between the seas that
girt this continent Two great lines are
now proposed, the Atlantic and Pacific
railroad and the United States and Mexico
railroad-boih of which, doubtless, will be
built-and ought to be built. The latter
line will connect the Pacific ocean, at the
Gulf of California, with the valleys Of the
Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers.
The former will bring the travel and COM
merceofSan Francisco, increasing as the liue
advances, till il reaches, the probabilities
are, Memphis-thence on by roads already
constructed TO the Atlantic. Both these
proposed lines traverse very productive
and valuable regions, the unexPlored
wealth Of which il would be too tedious
here TO attempt to slate. As there has
been less published about the United States
and Mexico railroad, than any other, |
will say something further here in regard
10 il. In letter before me from Mr.. nj.
La Rue Harrison, il is said: " The United
States and Mexico Railroad Company have
i bill before both houses of Congress for
iDcOrporation-the railroad TO run from
Cairo and DyersbuTg landing via Law
renee county, Arkansas, along the thirty
sixth parallel north latitude to junction
with the Atlantic aud Pacific railroad, near
the mouth Of the Red Fork Of the ATkan-
.sAs river, thence southwest to Preside del
Norle on the Rio Grande, then 10 connect
With the Mexico and United States
IL ~ L. 4 ,
government of Mexico TO run from Preside
up Gonchas river TO the City Of Mexico, with
a branch from 800 miles above Preside
across the mountains TO Altsts, port near
the gulf OF California. The bill has been
unanimously reported once by the Pacific
railroad committee Of the Senate, and is
now in the hands of the public land COM
miiiee Of the Senate and the Pacific rail-
road committee Of the House, with every
pro,peet of its early passage next winter
The company ask nothing but the right-oi-
way and land grant, and pledge the nee
essary capital as soon as the bill passes"
This line connects the mouth Of the Ohio
With the Pacific coast by less than 573
miles closer than any other projected
route. "The terminus at Altata, as Mr..
Arson Bangs informs us, lies upon the line
of the most direct communication with
Australia, the west coast Of Mexico, Gen.
trail and South America, Japan, China and
Indis." The road, too, will open up TO
life and to wealth the great heart Of our
Southern country, which, without it or
? similar road, must lie dormant.
Now, wisely seeing this grand opportu-
atty to receive very large show Of
patronage Of these two roads, the public
spirited CITIZENS of North Arkansas have
formed and had incorporated on 22d of
February last, the Pacific and Great East
ern railway Of Arkansas-about 300 miles
in length. The road is to run from where
il makes a junction with the Atlantic and
Pacific near Font Gibson, through the
northern counties Of Arkansas, along near
the 36th parallel Of north latitude, by
the most practicable route to the Missis-
sippi river near Hickman "bend." This
company already, has 5000, coo subscribed
besides large quantities OF lands, subscribe d
by citizens being on the line. BY an act
parsed recently in Arkansas, by compli-
RnCe with very easy conditions, State aid
cSQ be procured. Several millions of acres
Of public domain lie in close proximity,
from which IL is confidently expected 10
receive granite. Another favorable feature
is, that the United States and MEXICO
railroad proposes 10 consolidate with il
and ruu upon its track, till with.
ia short distance Of the
Msssissippi riytr. This circumstance will
give aid. Ia fact, there lie but little doubt
but that The road will be built, and that il
Will cross the Mississippi river near Both
parallel north latitude. This line will
strike, or 20 nearly 80, il would be adopted,
Dyersburg, Eaton, Trenton, Milan and
Huntington, thence on 10 Nashville. From
there the line suggested by Pacific and
Great Eastern railroad would be 10 build
road either through Cumberland Gap or
to Kno1vile-lhen TO Norfolk or New
York by the most practicable route. Thif
idea is beyond mere local trade. The line
beYmes at once a great thOrOnghfare for
theN<ayel and commerce of the different
peCtiops Of our Own country and Of foreign
countries Such line, too, would
especially enrich TO n very large
degree the country through which II
would pass. Villages would spring up
Villages become towns, and towns young
cities. The influence Of this line upon
Nashville, the capital of our pride, would
be large. Nov, 1t is A rare thing for any
busiuEss man here 10 leOk toward Nash
Vile. from the reason that railroad fscili
Ties are not good in that direction. From
Washington, all through rs rich lands Al
Tennessee can claim, 20 the Mississippi
river. and then on into Arkansas and Ga,
Indian Territory, would Nashville gather
a new harvest Of prosperity. She propose
"a throw new life into manufacturing. She
proposes 10 be enterprising, aud so she
G,ust reach cut To gather golden fruits.
MI; Harrison, who is one of the bOart
e directors Of the Pacific and Grea
Eastern railroad, and before quoted from
says in 4 pamphlet lac has issued: North
weztern Arkansas Ia nearly one hundre,
and fly miles nearer New York by way
of Both parallel, snd through Nashville
Cumberland Gap, Richmond, Washington
ard Baltimore, Than by way of ST. Loui
and The Atlantic and Great Western route
Ind is four hundred miles nearer the Sc,
ca.rt at Norfolk by the former route, thar
al New York by the latter" Now thi
railway hne, if the Pacific and Grea
Eastern railroad succeeds, will be thrus
uuon MS, with all the wealth il will bring
Tennessee aud Virginia should agitate th
uueslion Cf this hne-oRe involving re