Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-03-09
LIE eouTH.
Her Great Airline Railroad Combination
from Norfolk tc Memphis.

It will not be denied that the great rail-
road 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 happiness and
social intercourse of man with his fellow
man. The railway map of the country
| presents to the thoughtful eye the appear
ance of one grand c~hessboard. The south
has about fifteen Thousand miles of track
completed, and five thousand in process
of constr uction. New York is the great
commercial heart of the country, pull
sating through two great arteries
one leading through the West to
the Pacific slope and in high lati-
tude, the other leading through the South
to San Diego. in q lower-known to
Memphis as the Great Virginia and Ten
nessee Air Line. IL will be gratifying to
the friends and stockholders of this great
Southern route to know the business was
doubled last year, and we hope to double
it again this. The line of road from Nor
folk to Memphis is under the able and
efficient management of General Malone,
Colonel Galloway and Major Wicks, all of
whom are e~uterprising, experienced rail-
way 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 extension of the Southern Pacific be-
yond the Mississippi. We are glad to
know that our Generals, who led armies
III the field, have sheathed the sword for
the Unbelievable of the locomotive. and
in conjunction with the financial skill of
our commercial men, are leading in the
development of our great railroad inter-
est. With such men as Generals Beaure-
gard, Hardee, Malone and Forrest, to
move on the great chess-board of
the South, we may confidently hope
for a 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 Presi-
dent of the Great Southern Pacific rail-
road, bringing to its speedier completion
the force of his great name, his compre-
hensive intellect and indOmitable energy.
Mind moves matter, and we live in an age
of progressive Development. The Press,
the Telegraph and the Railroads are the
three grand powers of modern ciVaization.
Memphis, the future business Chicago OF
the South, has her railway lines radiating
in many directions, pushing General For
rests road through TO Selmaand complet-
ing Colonel Brinkley's line to Little Rock.
The railroad fraternity east of the Mis-
sissippi river would be glad to see Mem
phis take the lead, and begin the trans
southern Pacific road in earnest, with an
able and progressive man at the head of
the enterprise. she can cross the plains
of Ell Paso in five years. The future pros
perity and power of the South, the in
crease of her population, the augmenta-
ton OF her commercial strength, and the
efforts of her national influence depend
vastly upon her railroad developments;
and there is no one question of greater
Importance to the South than the speedy
construction of the trans-Mississippi
line. We would be glad to see the press
Of the country keep it prominently be-
the people. Very respectfully,
TOM. BENTON SMITH,
Soliciting Agent Virginia and Tennessee
Air Line.