Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-08

| Hence the calamity. ~ i4t
The South-Her Railroad Power.
To the Editor Of the Ledger; = ar
1t will not be denied that the great
railroad system of the present age, of
almost fabulous progression, has become
one of the most powerful engines ever
welded by the mind of civilized man in
behalf of commerce, wealth, human hap
piness and social intercourse of man
with his fellow-man The railway map
of the country presents to the thoughtful
eye the appearance of one grand chess
board. The South has about fifteen
thousand miles of track completed, and
five thousand in process of construction.
New York is the great commercial heart
of the country, pulsating through two
great arteries-one leading through the
West to the Pacific slope and in high
latitude, the other leading through the
South to San Diego, in lower-known to
Memphis as the Great Virginia and Ten
nessee Air Line. 1t will be gratifying
to the friends and stockholders of this
great Southern route, to know the bust
ness was doubled last year, and we hope
to double it again this. The line of road
from Norfolk to Memphis is under the
able and efficient management of Gen
eral Malone, Colonel Galway and Major
Wicks, all of whom are enterprising, ex-
perienced railway men, and we think the
day is not far distant when the companies
will find it to their interest to consolidate
the three links into an organization, to
connect with the extention of the South
ern Pacific beyond the Mississippi. We
are glad to know that our Generals, who
lead armies in the field, have sheathed
the sword for the throttle-valye of the
locomotive, and in conjunction with the
financial skill of our commercial men, are
leading in the development Of our great
railroad interest. With such men as Gen
erals Beauregard, Hardee, Malone and
Forrest, to move on the great chess-board
of the South, we may confidently hope
for great development in our COM
merce, wealth, influence and power.
Added to these we would be proud to see
the Hon. Jefferson Davis made the Pres
ident of the Great Southern Pacific Rail-
road, bringing to its speedier compile
ton the force of his great name, his
comprehensive intellect and indomitable
energy. Mind moves matter, and we
live in an age Of progressive derelop-
ment. The Press, the Telegraph and the
Railroads are the three grand powers
of modern civilization. Memphis, the
future business Chicago OF the South,
has her railway lines radiating in
many directions, pushing General
Forests road through to Selma
and completing Col. Brinkley's line to
Little Rock The railroad fraternity
east of the Mississippi river would be glad
to see Memphis take the lead and begin
the trans-Southern Pacific road in earn
est, with an able and progressive man at
the head of the enterprise. She can cross
the plains Of Fl Paso in five years. The
future prosperity and power Of the South,
the increase of her population, the aug
mentation of her commercial strength,
and the efforts of her national influence
depend vastly upon her railroad develop
ments; and there is no one question of
greater importance to the South than the
speedy construction Of the trans-Missis-
sippi line. We would be glad to see the
press of the country keep it promi-
neptly before the people.
Very respectfully,
ToN BENTON SMITH,
Q n. So. a,ant y-;rsrinis aad Tannessee