| From the Shreveport {La.} Daily News |
| |
| September 13, 1861 |
| |
| Our Railroad {Vicksburg,
Shreveport & Texas RR} |
| We are informed by a merchant
of this city, who has lately returned from the eastern portion of
Texas, that the people of that section have made a proposition to aid
us in the completion of our railroad to Marshall. It is to this
purport: they propose taking up the iron used for the road from
Swanson's Landing {Southern Pacific RR},
and loaning it to us to add to ours, which it is believed would be
sufficient together with what there is on hand, to make the connection
with the Marshall road. This is a generous offer, and one which, in
our opinion, should be accepted if we ever intend to complete our
portion. |
| The iron so loaned is to be
returned when convenient. Bravo for Texas. |
| Our road is graded nearly all
the way, and the cost of finishing it would be but trifling, when
compared with the revenue which would naturally accrue from the
patronage received by the road -- for it would prove a profitable
investment to parties concerned. There should be no hesitancy in at
once carrying to completion the work commenced, the longer it is put
off the worse for the success of the enterprise. The road as it now
stands, is like to much money lying idle, if it were put in use, there
would be some benefit derived from it, but no, it is going to ruin;
the rails are rotting and the embankments washing away. In some places
the earth has entirely left the rails which are partially held up by
the iron. This is accomplishing great objects with a vengeance. Let
our fellow Parishoners take a look at the road in its present state,
and then reflect on the amount of money thus expended to no purpose,
and they will, if there is the least spark of progressiveness left in
them, rally with one accord, bethink themselves of what they are
doing, and adopt the remedy. |
| Should we allow the Galveston
and Sabine roads to get the start of ours, we will then realize the
effect upon the commerce of this port. Shreveport then will no longer
be the shipping point that she now is, for business will naturally
find another channel. Texas will be to us as it were nothing. It will
be out of the power of any one then to bring back the trade which will
have left us, nevermore to return. Our opponents are making strenuous
efforts to accomplish this end, and they will; we know it, and strange
to say, appear blind to the fatal result. People of Caddo, have you
candidly considered the subject? Do you not see that it is to your own
interests? We are aware that many oppose the building of this road for
reasons quite satisfactory, were they at all likely to prove correct,
but, as our city cannot be injured, provided there is judicious
management in the affair, what can hinder the progress of the road?
Let us at once determine to re-commence this essential requisite to
the prosperity of this city, with indomitable energy, and we will not
regret it. Are we right? |
|