| From the Savannah Morning News |
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| January 22, 1862 |
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| The Railroad Interest in the South |
| The Richmond Examiner says:
"It is certain that the South cannot become truly independent until the
natural resources of the country become fully developed by means of easy
and expeditious transportation of passenger, mails and freights through
every section of the country. It is suggested that the very existence of
the war makes the present a most favorable period for pushing forward
the various railroad enterprises of the South, so far at least as
excavation, embankments and road bed construction generally is
concerned. If there should be no cotton planted this year of 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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