| From the Richmond Examiner |
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| January 21, 1862 |
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| The Railroad Interest in the South |
| It is certain that the South
can never become truly independent until the natural resources of the
country become fully developed by means of easy and expeditious
transportation of passengers, mails and freights through every section
of the country. It has been suggested that the very existence of the war
makes the present a most favourable period for pushing forward the
various railroad enterprises of the South, so far at least as
excavations, embankments and road bed construction generally is
concerned. If there should be no cotton planted this year, or a very
reduced crop planted, three-fourths of the slaves would be a sufficient
force to raise ample provisions and clothing for home use and for
market. The remaining fourth could, in twelve months, build beds for
railroads wherever there is authority for building them. The stock of
these roads would, as an investment, pay more, and no doubt quite as
speedily, as an overwhelming stock of cotton with which to glut the
markets of the world; and every planter residing or owning lands
contiguous to a projected railroad might put a portion of his plantation
force to work upon it, receiving stock of the company for his
remuneration. |
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