The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-09-02
%t<''tp't Department,



The VS.. Il p. r. II. has been vital
lied by European capital, ana is to be
rapidly built 10 completion. This is
now the generally accepted verdict.
For IL period stretching over more than
a quarter Of Il century, this nightmare
of probability has created 4 feeling of
insecurity tothe permanent Investment
of capital here. Nearly two decades
have crept apace since the South began
her reactionary struggle from the shock
of war, and Trenton has all along
maintained u vicarious existence, every
breath of this roads completion, but
announcing its doom, If q reality.
To day we are witnessing progressive
| manifestations Of activity, and are
| beginning to observe the first substan-
tial indications toward closing the
| link which, whiio binding us alike TO
the great thoroushlares of tho west,
yet destroys our business interests,
Our rather lacetious contemporary
tells us sthe voice of the pilo-drivcr is
heard in the land.' This is one Of the
|
punneu upon. We are forced to admit
we do observe signs that truly give
evidence that something is going to be
done. Without entering into detail as
to what they arc, it is only necessary
for our purpose TO simply note them.
The query with us is, what will
| become OF Trenton in this event
OF course our ideas arc merely specula-
tive and Indicate nothing more than
those that are Individually entertained.
| We are therefore reasonable enough
not to he mislcd into the idea of its
benetittlng the place, as far as it's
growth is concerned. We know, that
some of our merchants will go hence :;
to places which Will grow into exis-
tence Immediately upon the line of the
road. We are aware that the bulk of
| the business which comes to this place,
comes directly from those sections of
country through which the road passes,
and will necessarily curtail immensely
the traffic carried on here. We think
| that Cottonport will he the depot for
Trenton and for all the country imme-
diatcly north Of this place. In view of
| these contingencies which bear the
| light of reason, the question of susten-
tation IA opposed decadence becomes of
vital importance Tfenton's existence
as commercial place is to suffer then;
| to what extent time alone can deter
mine, but it must With this some
what gloomy and lugubrious forecast
of opinion, there comes the cherry and
impressive knowledge that We contain
within ourselves the elements and
surroundings of strength that properly
directed will give us pernlanence. 1t
lies within the domain. of her citizens
yet to control her destiny, despite the
ravaGes which have and will be made
upon her vitality by enterprises which
are either directly or Indirectly ap-
Piled sShc has established and MAIN
ell q nucleus of power which is felt
throughout the State and that upon
the basc-rocks Of the most elevated
moral principles. Go whore you will
4 similar town as to population, etc,
and selected too for its high moral
characteristics and you will find a
favorable balance with the very best
The homes of her. people arc "lovcly
for situation," and arc nestled in their
cottage beauty and comfort amid the
rich and luXuriant trees that limo the
banks of the Ouachita. When we say
beauty and comfort, as belonging to
our community's homes, these G
not merely rctcrahle to the s,lpcrticia al
aspect that presents itself, but they
enter around the "Reminiscences, and
find these characteristics, cxcmpliiicd
in her family circles. Religion is held
i'll supreme reverence, and is fostercd
by 4 large and full attendance upon
divine worship. Rightly then, do we
have the nucleus of strength, and can
safely and surely withstand discntc-
grafton, if we will. We, therefore,
would suggest the idea that in the
establishment of 4 first. class college, or
academy, which will be 50 far-rcaching
in its educational advantages as to
| mako it attractive, we will have fixed