Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-07-06
lcoNMUNICATED.l
Railroad from Knoxville to st. Louis Pro-
posed.

pOotus
MESSRS. EDITORS: Prompted by natural
feelings for the welfare and prosperity of
our native country rather than by any
selfish motives or prejudice, | have dared
to suggest through your enterprising paper
the agitation of the above proposed rail
road. ] am fully aware that some persons,
who are not cognizant Mt all of the rapid
growth of the country, and consequently
utterly unable to anticipate her future des-
tiny, may laugh at this scheme, and think
1t but a creature OF the Imagination - but
those who "laugh last laugh best, and if
| should but excite an investigation Of this
most important subject, | shall have ac-
complished my design. Investigation will
not fail to convince the mind of the cor
rectness of my statement. The growth
and prosperity of any city or country de-
ponds as much upon its commercial as it
does upon its natural facilities for the one
is but the implement of enterprise, while
the other is the incentive stimulant. But
the character of the natural has most to do
in the selection of the market and the es-
Enlistment of commerce. There would
be no use in seeking a market in which to
sell an article or product which we did not
have. That we possess rare natural adj
vantages all agree, but as to the most po-
tent and practicable some may differ.
While we concede that East Tennessee is
well adapted to agricultural pursuits, we
believe she is best fortified by nature for
manufacturing and fruit culture. We
next inquire, where is to be found the
greatest demand and the best market for
the products arising from these resources
and pursuits? In the last few decades of
years, States after States, in the great
Northwest, have been populated with their
millions, and still others are being added
with their constantly increasing millions.
All these new homes and tiresides, farms
and barns have to be supplied from the be-
ginning with these very articles which so
peculiarly Belong to and adorn East Ten
neSSee.
And now, the ever-ncreasing throng of
emigration and population trebles the de-
mand. BY aking advantage of this I'M
eXampled growth and consequent demand,
hundreds of towns and cities of less i'm
pOrtance than Knoxville, and many of no
existence thirty years ago, have become
rich and powerful, while we, with all our
natural advantages, remain pretty much
in Stdtu qltO Give her intercourse, give
her equal chances and East Tennessee
will show as much pluck and energy asa
any country in the world. With these,
Knoxville would have, to-day, We'd with
Cincinnati. Cincinnati, knowing her dis
advantages. and conscious of our natural
strength, breads the competition, and
would IAN seek her tropical fruits by some
mountain path rather than incur the rival
ry by uniting her railroads with Knox
vile. We find, then, no place equal to the
Northwest for our market How, then,
and by what way, is our most dieect,
quickest and cheapest communication
Not by Nashville and Memphis-for that
is out of the way. Not by Cincinnati and
Louisville-for they are out of the way,
and besides losing by reshipments, they
would reduce our profits by high freights.
Then there is but one alternative, and
that is via Bowling Green and Henderson,
Kentucky, direct to st. Louis. The route
is thoroughly practicable and we believe
the road will do more for the prosperity of
Knoxville and East Tennessee, than any of
the roads that ever have been or ever will
be projected from this point. Let the
question be agitated. Let the Board of
Trade call special meeting to consider the
subject, and let them appoint committee
to confer with parties at st. Louis, Bow
ling Green, Henderson and other points
on the line, relative to the matter. Let us
keep pace and not be dragged along by the
age in which we live. Three hundred
thousand dollars expended in surveying
and commencing this road will do more
good towards starting and building up
manufactures in Knoxville, than it would
if expended in any other way But let the
manufacturing company concern 90 on.
One will be an auxiliary to the other, and
concerted action will make strong impress
sions and lconspire to render success more
certain. II.
WHAT WILL BE THE UPSHOT!