Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-10-19
SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The Action of the Remlhis and Louisville
Conventions Endorsed.

MEMPHIS, October 18.-Edi5orS Ap.
peal: An editorial paragraph In th5
Saturdays APPEAL, relative to the
action OF the Louisville Convention on
the subject of the Southern Pacific
Railroad, would leave the impression
that, in your Judgment, the Interests
Of our city had been compromised by
that action. As I had the honor OF
being selected b he Tennessee dele
CATION to represent this State on the
committed of one from each State,
chosen by the respective delegations
to consider this subject, and az the
report adopted by that committee,
and subsequently by the Convention,
was prepared by myself, l feel that
may rightiully request, and that you
will willingly afford an opportunity
to offer brief, but 1 hope, a satisiac-
tory, explanation. e
Like yourself, j at first regarded the
proceedings Of the Memphis Conven-
ton, with reference to the Pacific
Railroad, as a yielding on the part of
those representing our local interests,
TO the force Of circumstances, and
IS, at least, a partial sacrifice Of
the claims of our city for the
sake of harmony and concert Of
action. But, upon a more care
ful examination than I had before be-
slowed upon the subject, and with ae-
cess to more accurate and reliable
sources of information, / became sat
isfied that the proposed route upon, OF
near, the S2' parallel, was, all things
the one the most desira-
ble for the interests Of Memphis; and
ask leave to suggest some of the rea-
sons thst led IRe to this conclusion:
l. The proposed eastern terminus of
the main trunk line, as contemplated
by the Memphis and New Orleans
is about half way be-
tween the 32d and the S5th parallel,
thus giving 70 Memphis at least equal
With 6Gy other city upon
Or east of the Mississippi river.
2. The route upon the 81 parallel
has the advantage OF other proposed
routes IN distance, in cheapness of
n the fertility and nat
lral Resources of the country through
which it passes, and In its exemption
rom those climatic objections which
are applicable to the Union Pacific
and 10 & route through the
mountain SHOWS upon the 35th par
lllel.
3. Two great Southern Conventions, !
the interests of the South |
IN and Southwestern States, had sue |
,essively given their approval and en-
lOrsement, at Memphis and New Or
ean-, to the 32d parallel roate, end ifthe I
.cJiou Of Congress is to be at all influ- /
need by the proceedings or recon- |
nendatiOns Of such bodies, it was evil /
Ientiy the dictate of policy that, in
tead of losing the benefit of what had 4
,een done, the action OF the Louisville 1
'OnyeGtiOn should be made to har- |
BOnize with and strengthen that Of
u predecessor.
For these and OtbeE-, reasons that 4
night be assigned, the voice Of the 4
tennessee delegation was, may say, |
unanimous for the confirmation of the /
of the Memphis and New I
orleans Conventions; and il is very |
ertain that those who, on the COM !
nittee and in the Convention, en- |
leavOred 10 Ignore these proceedings, |
md advocated different routes from /
he Gpe indicate by those C0nven- |
ions, were aGt acting in the interests |
VI Memphis, but a. ti,e representatives |
Il. Louis, Cairo and other points and |
Ccalities North and South Of us, Mem |
)his occupying, a. it were, the middle |
.rOund iu the controversy.
J may further AID, that tine men, |
,ays of the committee from States /;
North Of the Ohio, gGd the delega- /
ions from those States in the EQnven /
ion, with scarcely an exceptiop 10 rhe 1
Ontrary, were cordial and enthusiastic
n their support OF the r0uth preferred /
" the Southern States, aDa the /
arnest interest manifested by them in /
he ultimate success Of the enterprise, !
nd the fraternai friendship and sym
'athy they expressed in our heaalf,
we're, it is hoped, the happy augury OF
a better time coming"
J. W. CLAPP.