Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-09-02

4
TBxxARROw GAUGE ONCE MORE
There Is, and very naturally, much
solicitude felt by the citizens OF
GAINESVILLE and New Providence, to
know IN what way, and to what
extent, the contemplated road to
Princeton Is likely to affect the wei
fare Of the two towns. And since
the question Is often propounded to
w, we will answer it, through these
columns, aud In accordance with the
Light we have on the subject.
The time has passed when cities
were built up by riaers and roads, ex-
cept in cases where nature bad hxesl
the terminus of the one or the other.
The equalization Of localities through |
the direct agency Of artificial chan
nels Of trade, has 80 modified the
question Of advantages, or disadvant-
ages, as to leave the decision to the
more on less, Of energy aud enlight-
ened public spirit brought to bear up
onthis, or that locality. Railroads
are now carrying the internal trade
Of the country, to an extent which
threatens,r practically, To- supercede
rivers, as commercial channels, aud
no longer TO be relied on, as afford
ing exclusiveadvan 70 any point,
lecsuse the construction Of . railroad
through or near that point, will strip
itof its business and population, UNI
less the citizens thereof counteract
shat effect by means Of manufacto-
ries. These last will benefit the sur
rounding country by multiplying
non producers of agricultural pro-
ducts, and the town, BY multiplying
its population, furnishing material
for export and keeping the circula-
sing medium at home, instead Of dir
fusing 1t through other localities for
the purchase of articles Of prime nee
essity, to the farmer, the mechanic,
the laborer, and the business man OF
whatever vocation. ee,'i
II these views he correct, 1t follows
that the benefits to be conferred upon
Clnrksyille and New Providence, by
the proposed road, can only be meas
ured by the judicious efforts, Of their
respective capitalists to build up fac-
tories and invite skilled labor, con-
centrate trade and multiply consun-
ers, make the road subservient to
their prosperity by bringing In raw
material and carrying out the pro.
ducts Of machinery. The road will
not do these things, Of ITSELF but will
aid, materially, any energetic efforts
to attain the desirable results. rugj
But the patriotic and statesman
like view OF the Importance Of thu
road, Is limited, not by this. or tina
locality; but embraces, In Its com
prehensive outlook, the benefits !
will bestow upon the country 1t pass
es through, as facility for the trans
portation, to market, Of the produc
tlons of the soil and the develop
ment of its hidden treasures. II
will add fifty. per cent, to the valu
of lands for five miles on either sid
OF Its track, 1t will benefit the own
ers to that extent, and give to tn
State the benefit, Of an enlarged has
IL of taxation, and enable it, If nee
be, to reduce the general rate, In pre-
portion to the increased value Of tn
landed property. II II will multipl,
population, along the line, 1t. wi
multiply schools and churches, sui
divide farms, diversity agriculturs
products and necessitate neatnes'
ECONOMY and skill in the tlllage
the land. 1t will exhume long bur
cd deposits of coal, saw up now va
ueloss lumber and hurry them |
market. The beasts Of the field; III
products of the poultry-yard, III
fruits of the garden aud orchard an
dairy, will all be brought into reqn
sitlon, and even the waste OF Il
present, will become profit, In Il
future.
It IL to these results we should Tool
rather than to the direct bearings
the road upon the prosperity of tn
or that town. 1t Is an unquestions
truth, that town and country nut,
ally react upon each other, and Il
prosperity Of the one, Is q fair inds
of the prosperity OF the other. 1t
equally true that neither will alta
its maximum wealth, so long rs eitl
or, or both, depend upon foreign ca
ital aud labor for the creation OF tho
essentials to u successful prosecute,
OF any business-toois, clothing, 10,
etc, etc.
1t Is clear, then, from our stan
point, that the road will help mo-
who will not help themselves;
IL Clarksville and Providence W
convert their Federal bonds and u
improved lots into machinery for {
production of those things needed
the farmer, mechanic, day-labol
aud all other citizens of town a
country, they will find the road
invaluable auxiliary TO the Alta
ment Of wealth and population. II
ifthey expect to lie down and sic
until the road Is built, and tn
awake TO find themselves great a
prosperous, a serious, II not ruino,
disappointment awaits them. TIL,