Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-07-12

SHALL JACKSON BE A LARGE CITY -
This is pertinent question. One that our
property holders and merchants should
seriously consider. jackson can be made
large CITY, and wilt be, If those who held
her destiny in their hands are wise and
liberal. Natural advantages laid the foun-
dation, but the enterprise Of her citizens
alone can complete the structure. We ad-
here TO the idea advanced by US some time
ago that but one large City can grow up in
the heart of West Tennessee. Many large
and prosperous towns may be built up, but
/ it Will require a concentration Of interests
| TO build City. Large trade and extensive
manufacturing are absolutely necessary to
make City. The trade Jackson now con-
| trolls may sustain her in her present pros
perity, but if she is to grow larger the area
of her trade must be enlarged, new arteries
of commerce must center here, and manu-
factories must be established. Jackson
can not grow and property enhance in
value another year as has been the case for
| years past, unless the country tributary to
her is enlarged. Our increased growth, in
short, depends upon our increased trade.
| No one of thought or information will
/ doubt this. Then how is the area of trade
to be enlarged and manufactures establish
ed d? The word Railroad selves the prob
| lem of our future and answers this question.
| Make Jackson a Railroad center, concen-
trate here every railroad interest possible.
Secure every important connection that
offers and a great City will be the result
But, every railroad built around as will
take some of our trade, divide the territory
which naturally belongs to US, and dam
age our future growth and prosperity. If,
for instance, the Huntington road goes
North of Us, the Birmingham, Knoxville
and Memphis roads go South Of us, the
Brownsville and Salisbury road West and
the Henderson Station and Paris road East
Of us, large and rival towns will loom up
all around jackson, not so large or quite so
prosperous, but still rivals, who will divide
with us the trade which we must concen-
trats here if this is to be large City. But,
on the other hand, If we build the Birming-
ham road, with 4 branch via Lexington 10
Tennessee River and East, and secure the
Huntingdon connection, Jackson is safe
and the future full Of promise. For these
roads will concentrate here large and
remunerative trade, will force Memphis e
come to us, the Iron Mountain road to seeb
connection here via Dyersburg and Ala
mo, and, instead Of rivals, all the town,
around us will become tributary to Jack
son. Besides, they will give new import
snce TO the Evansville read, enc OF the yerl
best lines yet suggested, and in fact necss
state its ultimate construction. Thei
Jackson will be the center OF a great rail
road system, the center of great railroa,
interest, distributing point for grain a
, well as for cotton, and ultimately the lead
r Ing manufacturing City Of the Southwest
Jackson is in the crisis Of her history
whether she Is to remain 4 large town wit
, a respectable business, or become larg
CITY with great commercial arteries will h
= decided in the next twelve months. If Ia
, roads mentioned are permitted to pas
n around us a half dozen large towns WI
p divide the trade which should be who'll
a ours, and there will be no large city in II
.. heart Of West Tennessee. But, If the
roads are centered here, their interests, Il
! trade they will bring and the manufact
ries they must induce will make JacksC
.r no mean rival of Memphis, and the leadir
;. interior City Of the South. The issue
- upon III and we must meet it. The fac
= are plain and undeniable and we must ia
= them, The time for much talking b
passed and the hour for action has CON
o, secure these roads now, As we can 81
J. should, and all is well, let this opportuni
= pass and as was the case with Us when [
;, Memphis and Ohio road was permitted
- run North Of Us, we will never regret o
:. indifference or penny wise wisdom b
once.