The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-01
Editorial Correspondence.
ROME, GA, July %, 1872.

two or three, hours. But we found that the
trains On the Selma, Rome and Dalton Rail-
road were quite irregular, in consequence of
the recent freshet, which had washed away
bridges and otherwise damaged the railroad, in
terrupting travel and causing persons to lie
over at unexpected points. The rain still de-
scended, and we looked forward to gloomy
day in Dalton. In this expectation, however,
we were destined to meet with an agreeable
disappointment. Of course, we sought an in
PRODUCTION to Mr.. Whitman, editor of the
"North Georgia Citizen" and from him we
received a cordial welcome 10 Dalton and
kind invitation to spend the time under his
hospitable roof His accomplished lady was
educated at Anderson, and the hours flew swift
ly away in conversation, chiefly concerning the
times when the johnson Female University
was in the height of its prosperity and useful
ness. In the afternoon, when the clouds broke
off and the sun threw its radiance over earth,
we strolled about the streets of Dalton, meet
ing occasionally with an acquaintance, until
the time for our departure arrived. We were
favorably impressed with Dalton, which is
town of twenty-five hundred inhabitants, con-
tanning many beautiful residences, broad ave-
nues, and full quota of churches and schools.
Much of the town was destroyed in the Sher-
mani Johnston Campaign, yet the present ap-
pearance of things indicates rapid recuperation
among the citizens. Three railroads are in
successful operation, and fourth in contem-
plation.
By the way, the Georgians are alive on the
subject of railroads, and every town is project
ing some new link in the great system of rail-
roads, which has done so much towards rebuild
ing the waste places and developing important
interests. These people have thrown off the
yoke imposed by Federal reconstruction, and
being perfectly free to regulate local affairs,
they are striving earnestly to regain their sta
ton as the Empire State of the South. Mate
rally and politically, there is no question that
Georgia ranks foremost at this time among
her struggling sisters, and not even Texas
opens so inviting field for immigrants, since
to the many advantages of climate and soil
claimed for the latter, the citizens of Georgia
can point with pride to her well-regulated So
ciety and abundant resources of mineral wealth
now being recognized for the first time 1t
may be considered that ours is prejudiced
view, yet the most Aattering statements in fa-
vor of Texas do not excel the prospects and
advantages we have noted in every portion of
North Georgia during our recent travels. EN-
phatically, this is ga great and growing coun-
try" and the people are unhappy unless there
is substantial progress in every relation of life,
not being content with mere existence and the
dull plodding that makes one rusty and inac-
tive. Hence, we have so frequently referred in
these letters to projected lines of railway, ex-
tensive mining operations, the coal and iron
interests, public and private Improvements of
every character, added to the natural attractions
of a fertile soil, delightful climate, pure water
and an endless variety of beautiful scenery.
To crown the picture, we have only to refer
with pleasure to the proud, generous and inde-
pendent people who inhabit this favored region
and whose energy and vim are apparent on
every hand, permeating the whole list of prac-
tical, useful and cultivated walks in life, ex-
tending internal improvements, endowing
schools and colleges, and aggregating capital
to the permanent advantage of entire commu-
mites.
This brings us TO remark that in no other 10.
cality will the stranger be more forcibly i'm
pressed with the peculiar characteristics here
with enumerated than in this lovely city of
Rome. We have been here several days, and
it is our decided conviction that Rome posses
ses the prospect Of most Aattering future,
while its present prosperity is based upon a
sound and solid foundation. The city contains
between five and six thousand inhabitants, and
there is an universal air of thrift and intelli-
gence among the population. Railroad facili-
ties are unsurpassed, and besides the Memphis
Branch now in process of construction to the
extensive coal fields of North Alabama, there
is good prospect of extending the Rome Rall-
road (now running from Rome to Kingston) TO
the town of Gainesville, thus forming con-
Meeting link in short line from New York to
the Southwest. The Oostenaula and Etowa
Rivers form junction at the lower edge of the
city, making the Coosa River, upon which
steam boats are plying daily, with Rome as the
head of navigation. Iron foundries and rolling
mills are doing much to add wealth to the city,
and the development of the iron and coal in
terests is daily increasing. Steam Touring
mills, sufficient to prepare the immense wheat
crop of this region for market, are seeking to
give competition to the great -four centres of
the West by extending their trade to other
States. The city is manifestly enjoying lu-
crative mercantile business, the principal street
being lined with stores of every kind and the
merchants evidently prospering. The cotton
trade of Rome amounts to ten or twelve thou
sand bales each season, while the shipments OF