The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-12-23
PAST, PRESENT. AND FUTURE OF
TEXAS.

HIdLlug anu mineral RESOURCES VI
these two countries, makes 1t mat
ter of wonder that the capitalists of
the world have just now been con-
vinced of better prospects in the
outlay Of money here than any
where else in the civilized
world. Poor information and war
and prejudice have operated,
one after the other, in closing the
avenue of progress to Texas, but
suddenly light has been shed upon
the State and recognizing the gran
deur of so vast and 80 rich an empire,
the moneyed men ofthe world are en-
gagged in a scramble to see who shall
first reap rich rewards in the ex.
pendituro of means. Railroad en-
terp-ises, under modern dispense
ton, lead tho way in develop
ing countries, and after these
come the industries, one upon
another, until the waste of one year
becomes in another the scene of life
and busy industry. Only a few
years ago that vast section lying be-
tween the immediate valley of the
Mississippi river and the Pacific
coast was a barren, desolate waste,
the home OF the wild man and the
bison. Capital spanned the conti-
nent with railway, and now in
dustry is developed along its line,
and the country. upon which the
rains of heaven failed to descend
now grows with verdure, and nature
heeds the wants Of progressive man.
Not so Is it with Texas. Here,
through all, time, have been the
grandest and richest pastures of the
world: here is an empire IF 275,0O0
square miles, where vast forests
have grown luxuriantly for ages
where plains were covered with
a perfect jungle. Of grasses, until
herds grazed them down; where
natural fruits and flowers abounded
and bloomed before man knew their
value or enjoyed their fragrance.
Such has been beautiful and boun-
.teous Texas since, ages ago, the wa
ters receded from these hills and
these valleys and plains, an Eden,
where wild bees gatherd sweets from
limitless howery plains. desecrated
alone by the footprints of no ;
madic tribes, that have dwindled,
into insignificance before the march
of the white man. And it is this
facinating land, that progress, in its
march across the American contl-
nent, has for time neglected.
Feeble but resolute hands at first
took hold of Texas. She was in the
care of brave men and patriots,
who disenthralled her and in
troduced her INTO civilized society
men brave and true and wise, but
poor, and to these was Texas left.
Under their care she has pros
pered; the savage meu, who shed
the blood of innocent women and
children, have been driven by them
beyond The RIO Grande, and lnIl-
lion and half of people live under
these azure skies, contented, happy
and above all, independent i'll the
midst Of plenty. Such is Texas
while it meets the consideration of
men who own their hundreds of mil
lions, and who seek an outlet for the
vast sums of money that have been
boarded in the great cities of the
North and of Europe, awaiting
profitable investment. One after
one these monyed kings, hearing of
the undeveloped wealth of this
Lone Star empire, have ventured
beyond Red River and the Sabine
on tours of inspection, and one
after another have they de.
parted, determined to establish
here the base of fabulous fortune.
The wires told us, only day or two
ago, of the destruction, upon the
banks of the classic Hudson, of q
vast conservatory, belonging to Jay
Gould. The building was valued at
$4,000 and in one-half hour the
fierce element, that melted it's cfys-
tai walls, scorched into ashes plants
and trees and flowers, gathered
from all the countries banded
by the central zone. While this
beautiful work, pleasing in all that
pertained to it, was being melted
away, Mr.. Gould was rearing in
Texas monuments to his name and
fame that will last while civilization
holds sway in America. Day after
day the wires have been telling us of
his grand plans, conceived in the
development of Texas, and but yes
terday it was announced that he is
to assume control of great eonti-
mental line of railway, that now par
TALLY threads its way beneath the
base of Mount Bonnell, and winds
into the hills and valleys beyond the
beautiful Colorado, as it moves on
ward to the palm groves of Mexico
and to the halls of the Mon
tezumas. This man ia making no
idle venture in an outlay of manv
millions. He sees that Texas and
Northern Mexico will afford pro-
duction, giving employment to vast
railroad enterprises, and having
confidence in the future prosperity
of this country, and, feeling that in
vestmerts are safe under the eye of
our state government, he pours
treasure into our midst, and Mr..
Gould is by no means alone. Scott
and Huntington and Taylor and
Peirce, railroad kings that command
the treasure of New York and Bos-
ton and Philadelphia and San Fran
cisco, join him in expending energy
and money on vast railroad works
in Texas. A few years ago the
feeble whistle of q solitary rail-
way locomotive was heard up
on the banks of Buffalo BAYOU, at