The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-08-11
AUSTIN AS THE SITE FOR THE
STATE UNIVERSITY.

lruly III Is one OF the most impor-
tant problems ever presented to
them, AMI if it may be solved IN
the location of the university at
Austin, il will be a step in its history,
promising more for it in the future
than any other proposition that may
ever be presented. The growth of
Austin is an assured fact. Its solidity
is one of the patent features of the
place, and it requires but the con-
summation of ends now proposed to
make it the most important city in
the southwest. 1t is settled be-
yond doubt that Austin is soon
to enjoy the benefits of
railway system not surpassed by
any Texas city. Here two great
trans-continental lines will soon
traverse each other, and it is said
the Houston and Texas Central will
also push its western branch to-
wards the west, making it another
international line, opening up a vast
region between here and Presidio,
and then penetrating the Mexican
country 10 a conclusion at least
amid the rich mining fields of Mex
leo, and probably extending itself to
the Pacific coast. Here too there is
soon t. be the diverging point
for four, probably five, direct rail
routes to the Texas coast. We al
ready have the International and
Great Northern route and the
Central, and soon the Peirce ex-
tension up the valley of the
Colorodo river will give us the
third sea route. Then from here,
too, the Missouri Pacific will seek
the sea, and whether finding its
terminus at the mouth of the Bra
EOS or at lndianOla, both these routes
will be covered by railways. The con-
struction of railway from Austin
to the mouth of the Brazos river Is
fixed fact, and but short time
hence the public will be startled by
movements in this direction, not
dreamed ofexcept in financial circles,
and among u few who have been en-
trusted with knowledge of plans
proposed. Then, too, the narrow
gauge road, presided over by Col.
Grant, will hardly come to Bastrop,
and proceed thence to Fredericks-
burg, without being placed
in close connection with the system
that will soon begin to extend itself
hence towards the northwest. Here
these trunk lines must combine in
giving prominence to the now largest
inland city of Texas, excepting the
ancient city of San Antonio. These
railways, to say nothing of others
which must follow, will place Austin
in most intimate connection with all
Texas, thus adding to its acknowl-
edged advantages for the benefit of
the state university. Austin is about
sixty miles south of Bolton, and it
is said the geographical center of
the state is somewhere south
of Bolton. This places the CAPT
tai city nearer the geographical GEN.
ter of the state than any city asking
for university honors. Austin is the
political and business center of Texas,
and, in spite of the assertions of Mr..
Mack, the greatest and best and wis
est men of the state (not these mere
politicians, who would have more
than one Texas, that offices may be
multiplied declare Austin to be the
place where the states great institu-
ton oflearning should be. Their wis
dom is shown by the history and
records of all great nations. Greece
was great because its Athens an
cient Egypt was renowned because
of it Alexandria, where the liter
airy wealth of the world was
massed. France is known by its
Paris, where the power of govern
ment and of refinement and litera-
ture and its great university and its
magnificent institutions of art and
science, combine to make magnifi-
cent capital, the pride of Frenchmen,
and the guarantee of perpetually
united France Francis Joseph
of Austria, has enjoyed happy
reign, because Vienna has been
made center for the en-
growth of patriotism through
the grandeur of its palaces and its
perpetual monuments of taste; be-
cause of its great art galleries and
its great university; because all that
Austrians hold dear is conferred there
beauty, poetry, music and learn
ing, combining to make every sub
iect of the empire turn with love and
pride, and even reverence, to the
capital. Berlin, once the miserable
little village on the marsh beside a
sluggish stream, has grown to be
one of the grandest cities of Europe.
1t is the capital of the German En-
pire, and vast expense of govern
ment money has been used to build
up for it palaces and museums and
art galleries, and grand avenues
and gardens, and one of the very
greatest of universities, until all
Prussians and all Germans feel their
hearts swell with national pride as
they behold their capital city, while
a call from Berlin, in one day,
would fill its shady streets with
enough armed Teutons to make the
nations of Europe tremble. Make.
the capital of Texas grand, and
while there will be a few hun
bred politicians distressed at the
unity of Texas, the people will be
happier and freer from taxation,
and will ever find bond to make
them love and cherish each other.
Here, about Capitol Hill, as with
the Capitoline of Rome, should clus-
ter the grand and sacred institutions
which bind people together, and
which induce them to work for