| From the South-western {Shreveport, La.} |
| |
| April 16, 1862 |
| |
| The Vicksburg Shreveport & Texas
Railroad |
| The above named road, if
completed, would be of incalculable benefit, not only to the people of
the section through which it would pass, but to the whole Southern
Confederacy. It could be easily demonstrated that the owners of farms
and negroes in north Louisiana and Texas would be the gainers in the
long run, by doing the grading of what remains to be done of this road
without compensation. By the facility of getting produce to market,
and getting supplies whenever needed, farmers would be more than
repaid for the labor they would bestow on the work. |
| But at this particular time,
we are all more concerned for the welfare of our young republic than
for our private interests. The reason is obvious. Our lands and
negroes, our money and credit, our liberty and religion, are all
overthrown and destroyed, if the government be not sustained. Our
great danger now consists in the probability of our realising the
stale threat of the north to starve us out. Missouri, Kentucky and
much of Tennessee and Virginia, being in the hands of the enemy, we
may not hope to reap the benefit of that fertile region. Texas is our
reserved dependence for bread and meat. But how is the corn and wheat,
the beef and pork of Texas to be transported to our armies in the
east? True, a great deal can be hauled in wagons, but is this economy?
Let about 80 miles of the Vicksburg Shreveport & Texas railroad be
completed, and at once a great thoroughfare is opened for all the vast
resources of Texas, through which it may empty its coffers into the
lap of the Confederacy. Besides we thus facilitate the transportation
of troops, and instead of lagging their lazy way, either on foot or on
the backs of their broke down steeds, they can be rapidly concentrated
by steam at any given point. |
| We heard an intelligent
planter propose a few days ago, that as there would be little or no
cotton made, negro men should, this summer, after the crops are laid
by, be put to work on this road, and it might be completed, so far as
the earthwork is concerned before Christmas. We concur in the opinion.
But where are we to get the pay? says the farmer. Take railroad stock
in pay say we. But you would be more than compensated in other ways,
even if you should get no direct pay. |
| We desire to call the
attention to this subject, hoping that others, better acquainted with
such matters, may shed more light upon it. |
| As to iron, we are assured it
can be obtained, if all else is done. |
| Louisiana Baptist |
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