American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-04-13

sometimes OF division III the L mon.
The question Oi growth and increase
between sections has often been an
issue of war between them. Tue
value of political power has given
interest to it and the sword has
been the weapon to determine 1t.
In our Union the same question has
often been raised and tiercely con-
tested. They have been contested
by Legislative DEGREES, it is true.
but the decisions have been revived
with as much bitterness of feeling.
The sam. divisions which are be-
gotten by war are produced by leg
islative contests for power, and L
need not say how carefully they
should be avoided in this country
by p wise government. Is there no
danger OF these consequences i'll
this very case, and would it not be
worth the whole cost of the road to
avoid them? Yes, better double
the cost than the heart burning
which much further delay would
occasion. Says Gov. Brown in his
speech before the committee: 1--WE
have seen that 47,O00,000 acres of
public domain were given to COM
ST. uct a line of railway on the forty
seventh parallel of north latitude
to the line on the forty second
parallel of north latitude, 81, O00, 900
acres of land and $4,000, 900 in q
per cent bonds; while to the line
Oh the thirty second parallel less
than 1S,000,O00 acres of land is
granted and not a dollar in bonds
or money. To pursue the contrast
IA little further: Between the forty
second and forty seventh line there
intervenes only four degrees of lati>
rude, or less than 400 miles, while
between the forty second and the
thirty second parallel there is Il
space OF ten degrees of latitude, or
about 100 miles. Between the for>
ty second parallel and the Gulf of
Mexico, touched by some of our
best producing States and at the
doors of the most important ports
of New Orleans. Mobile, Galveston.
and Pensacola, there are
over twelve degrees of latitude, or
more than 600 miles. Consider for
ii moment the deprivation suffered
by this important producing section
of all facilities for trans continental
The American citizen
who, pursuing either pleasure or
business. seeks the Pacific coast
by railroad from New Orleans must
travel 3.12O miles. from Mobile
3 ,060 miles, from Savannah $3.50
miles, from Charleston $3.50 miles,
from Washington $500, from Nor
folk 3,4SO miles. Ii the proposed
line on the thirty second parallel
were now in operation the Pacific
coast would be reached from New
Orleans at saving of l,l56 miles
Of travel as compared with tue
present route; from Mobile at a
saving of LOIS miles, and from
other cities of the South and South
cas-, with Il proportional economy
Of time, travel and money" Can
it he supposed that these commer-
,ial determinations against the
South by "a common Government
will be looked Oh with much cons
Dlarency by its people I Ought it
% be so vieweds Can this Govern
nent afford to SOW the seed Of such
divisions in the hearts of its people
But this Is still not the worst point
ii view of the sectional question.
There have sprung up along the
Inc of the favored Pacific coast,
md built up nearly through its
Igency, the great States OF Kansas,
Colorado, Nevada and
he Territories of Idaho aud WyOm
ng-to become States before long |
armed, or soon to be armed, with |
POLITICAL power in the Government !
o be used against the South and |
perhaps on this very |
question of grow til aud power, while
he completion of the Texas Pacific
Dad directly after the war would
lave created like political power
o be used for her assistance. Have
lot the South and the Southwest
he right to seek facilities for build
ng up a corresponding political
lower to aid and sympathize with
hem :? The unfair delay of such
may postpone the growth
II political power OF the South and
but it will Increase the
ERIN during which the seeds of
bitterness and division Will live and
row. Far better abandon the first
'olicy than promote the last. Give
Is peace and fraternal feeling, and
re need not fear the growth of any
ection of this confederacy, North,
south, East or West. Give us all
cave to be prosperous and happy
nd none will be peevish or discon>
ented. Above all, use not the
lower given to the favored section
o dwarf or depress those who have
ct been so kindly used heretofore.
$ anything desired better than the
resent bill +? Has it not been
ruined and amended to satisfy the
lost capiious critic? Would not
ny further change be apt to make
, worse than betters Ii this be
o, give 1T to us at once and as it is.
With great respect, yours very truly:
II. NJ. II. HUNTER.