The Opelousas courier., 1872-12-28
A Great Enterprise.

from the politics of our State, embarrass
Lad blurred as they are, by chicanery, at
kDtsd fraud and trickery, to the subject OF
.lroutemplated internal improvements.
At iigantic, but most feasable of all the
k.,oceanic railroad enterprises yet ION
E;n the limited States-the Southern Pacific
n. nc with admiration, for those who first
L.stsd Il. and those whose intelligence, pub
E,rit and energy have urged forward the
4. work. A speedy connection between
l. EOrleans. through Western Louisiana and
l.v.nort, will bring that great city in direct
kunnicati0n with Texas, New Mexico, Ne
|, Colorado. California and the whole Pa
coast. Not only this, but Old Mexico,
l. il slowly awakening to the Importance OF
L. improvements, will soon tap the Southern
kisc Road at some convenient point. say
L., vi Paso on the western side of the Rio
bnde.
ailroad connection such as this opens for
Estate, and particularly for New Orleans.
kusct of fnture commercial, agricultural,
kal and financial prosperity and greatness
II the most sanguine among those who feel
landing interest in her prosperity, few
kB ago never dreamed of.
L suuectien by rail with Texas alone. has
ktseIast Il or Is years been regarded by us
asonsumation devoutly TO he wished for;
b We rarely ever permitted cur thoughts to
ktH upon anything beysnd this. And if
knr more could be realized. this alone
hdppav richly all the trouble and expense
ktsaald cost; for within the territorial
Esof that great State there is as to quan-
ESud quality, soil enough to sustain a popu-
nas dense az that crowded into several of
Eastern and Northern States. There is
kn also variety of both soil and climate
Il kFould enable that great State to sustain
ksrds the other States of the Union, and es-
kaly the Southern States. the relation that
bhsretofors existed between them and the
ktsrn States of the Mississippi Valley
lat and all the small grains of a superior
Pity, corn and hay, sugar and cotton are
sfEated and produced with great success in
EseHt portions of the State. Beef. sheep.
rs, mules and hogs are raised in great
kbsn and ut comparatively little expense.
kosmpletion Of the railroad to Texas will
Fsuah impetus to these industsies that ina
Eyesrs more only they will reach a point of
kFsssion that will fill the mind with wonder.
Fheady since the war has the mere project
ba her railroad system, intended as it is to
Rsherin early and speedy communication
the Southern and Western portions of the
pied States, had decided influence in be-
FfTexas in the way of a considerable in
AR in her population through Immigration.
population to-day has increased and to
increase the Northern, Southern, Eastern
Western States and Europe have eoutri-
~ their share. And all this in the face of
ffidfeultiss of transportation that have and
txist,-the want of facilities of eommuni-
N, between different portions of the State
n and between its market places and those
hsr States.
Wy great az win be the increase of trade to
Il Forleans arising from greater facilities Of
Pnunication with Texas alone, how much
Raier will il be when the States and Terri
~ immediately west and north-westo of her.
N the Pacific coast and Old Mexico. shall
into connection with her and made
Ean their swelling tide of wealth into her
NAen we reflect that the branch road of the
s1le q Texas road from Vermillionville, in
adjoning Parish of Lafayette, to Shreye-
Il will be only about $50 or It's miles in an
pune; that on this line there will be but o
insignificant bridges to build, and but
fparatively little grading to do; IN word
n There will be less labor and less money to
PEND than on any other line of the same ex-
II known III the United States. it strikes
Hta surprise that capital has not long since
'0ght the work to close. This branch once
v the ink new missing between the east
Terminus Of the Southern Pacific railroad,
Alsaah, Ten. and New Orleansl is supplied,
We believe that there 10 road in full oper-
u between Marshall. Tex, and Shreveport,
Fe SAY that the missing link ia supplied,
aase We take it for granted that the Mobile
texas road will be completed from Dem
sanville to Verniilionville within a few
Aths Should this be accomplished. then
ne time the eastern and Western sections
V Southern Pacific, new being vigorously
asd, meet, San Diego and New Orleans,
shreveport, Opelousas and vermillionyflle.
lbe in close connection, and our City Of the
" win be the first I've hopeI to reap the
harvest of trade that Ii destined to come
Z this great enterprise.