The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-10-25

Sxpeeted That the people Of the South
directly interested. In this great enter.
prise shall furnish, in GSsb. 6pe. hall, the
whole cost OF 1ths road shud only look. to
Chicago, the mighty Queen, TO fulpish
a. 9,Anancial agent, then we may Wall
iEsPisJssha gi7sl 1u5-hssf tie oSs. 4:
thesw0rk in cash in hand, it "wotid rc.
Qufre no extraordinary financial skill to
raise the other half in almost any 10.
cality. But this must be an extreme
view; for this enterprise, to bs success
tui, must rest on mutual wants, mutual
interests and mutual aid-the stronger
helping the weak; the rich and power
iul IN resources, in wealth and credit,
holding out free and willing hand to
the impoverished and helpless, and only
requiring from the latter their mite and
no more. The convention held ut this
place was most harmonious, and agreed
generally upon location from this city
| (Chicago) to Lexington aud to London,
IN Southern Kentucky. at this point,
two lines arc recommended, in strict ac-
cordance with the views Of the Augusta
conference.-the one, and we may call it
the Eastern line, from London, through
Cumberland Gap, Morristown, Ache
vile, N. O.. Spnrtanburg, Columbia
aud Charleston; the other, or Western
line, from London, through Knoxville.
over the line Of the Blue Riige Road,
to Clayton, Ga.-thence ola Walhalla
and Anderson, to Augusta aud Charles
ton-and from Clayton to Augusta di-
rect, or, ola Athens, to Augusta and
Macon.
1t will be seen, by reference to the
proceedings of the convention, that
many delegates favor the construction
OF both these lines, as necessary to
make this enterprise a complete and
perfect success; for these lines, diverg.
ing at London, each pass through and
open up new sections, undeveloped,
though rich in mineral and agricultural
resources; the Eastern line debouohing
South Of the mountains, upon Spartan
burg, Union, Columbia, and terminating
at Charleston; the other, after passing g
up the valley of the Little Tennessee,
through Rabun Gap, throws its business
into South Carolina, the heart of
! Georgia, and many portions of Alabama
and Flc ida. It is earnestly hoped that
those who are now considering this
great project will see the necessity and
hnd the means to construct both, for
they are each demanded by the con.
stantly increasing wants of mankind
aud commerce.. After you pass the
mountains and reach the territories of
these Southern States. you will fod q
large space, Of hundreds Of miles, from
the Georgia Railroad to the Chesapeake
and Ohio Raiirond, now unoccupicd by
any direct line from the West to The sea-
board. magnificent empire to be made
tributary to this great enterprise. But,
ii this cannot now be plished, and
it becomes imperative to select one or
the other line to the sea, then they will
have before them no idle or easy duty;
for upon proper selection may, and
doubtless will, depend glorious suc-
cess or humiliating failure. What I
mean is this: Both lines will be con-
structed, at an early day. from COM
meroial necessity, and, if not owned by
one corporation, the party who secures
the limo having the proper connections
and outlets to the natural markets will
be successful; whilst the other may not
be. think it may be assumed that the
distances from Chicago to Charleston
and Port Royal, the two prominent
South Atlantic ports sought to be
reaohed. vary 80 little as to hs inmate.
rial; that the cost of crossing the noun
taius by either route will not show any
serious difference. Hence the question
will turn very much on connections,
and general facilities, and results Of
business.
The connections through Knoxville,
over the Blue Ridge Road, to Cayton,
WaIhalla and Anderson, are claimed to
be such as will bring tho products OF
the West nearer to their real and best
customers. The four South Atlantic
Suites, viz: South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama and Florida, are cotton pro
ducing. and bnt little else. Whatever
may be the adaptation of their climate
and soil to productions OF the cereals,
or their proper policy as people, it is
fact that they have been, and are
now. almost wholly dependent on the
Northwest for corn, bacon, flour, hay.
whiskey. etc. It has been stated by the
distinguished Governor of the State
Of Georgia, that these four States con.
sumo annually, OF the single article Of
CORP, $4,000, 600, when delivered tc
them. The corn would yield the pro-
ducer about $1,000, 600 at average
prices, and the balance is taken up il
cost Of transportation and otherwise.