The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-02-08
The Encouragement of Railroad En-
terprises.

To the Legislature;
There are many railroad bills now before
you for your consideration and action 10
which your constituents are deeply interest
Ied-some of whom are locally concerned,
and all have general interest in the sue
Eeess of these projected enterprises. These
are evidences Of a coming prosperity that
lis to work salutary changes in our social
land material concerns. They are the fore
runners of a higher degree of civilization
Itha. will lift US above dependency, revive
bur hopes, quicken and enliven enterprise,
rouse into action our now slumberlng ener-
lgies and dormant intellects. VIII you, by
wise legislation, hasten the contamination
Iof events 50 desirable, and thereby enable
lour State to join in the grand march OF
lprooress that marks the civilization
Iof the age2 or will you, by III
timed laws, obstruct or impede these
lIong wanted evidences of improvement,
hinder immigration, stop the flow OF capi-
Ital into our State, and sink her below the
level of her sister States in intellectual,
moral and material power The encourage
Iment of these enterprises by liberal and just
laws will accomplish far greater results In
the interest of the people than any lmmi-
grafton bureau that can or will be devised
Each of these projected railroads will stop
Emigration, will start immigration, invite
and bring capital to revive and foster our
industries. Lands will become valuable,
and once more enter the markets of the coun-
Itry-our young men will remain among us,
Instead OF seeking homes in more favored
lands, leaving their sisters behind them,
and among sinking people.
rs There is a tide in the affairs OF
men, which, taken at its flood,
leads on to fortune" that tide is
now upon us, and your actions will deter
mine its results. Capital is now asking to-
build railroads over and through our waste
lands and connect as with all the ports of
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with thel
Gulf and the Lakes of the northwest. 1t is
only asking to be permitted to do so by thel
enactment of a charter with suitable prof.
visions. 1t is willing to pay even for theh
right of way, if the owners OF the land arel
to donate the same. 1t does not
ask the State or any county, city, or lndi-
Vidual to subscribe to its capital stock as al
condition precedent to the building of itsIi
roads. Nor does it ask for any powert
to compel any person or community
to patronize the roads, but leaves ALL,
the public highways open to public areI
as competing lines for transporting personsi
and property. 1t does not ask to violate orr
impair any provision of our Constitution in /
fringes or overrides the sovereignty of the'
people, for upon ..the inviolability of theseI'
depend upon its security for protectlonIl
against anarchy and lawless revolutions.l
From several days observation of your del
Ihave been most favorably im-Il
pressed with the sobriety, intelligence andl
ieeorum of your respective bodies, hence
believe that results frought with enduring|S
,ood will follow-and in manner to COM
nand the respect of the intelligence of the =
if not its admiration. - w. L