Newspaper Page Text
C9t
ISOI,U3WBTT, GA.
TrBfOAV, PEBIirABT l4B.
“Casax,” is unavoidably crowJcd out, but
a ill appear m out next*
•THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE.
can be but little doubt* we think, that
Mr. Freaiier (the |*opu!ar “ Mustang” of the
n. o. Della) is the bearer of a treaty, or th e
ftfO-V/ erf” a trratv, of peace with Mexico. Mr*
T*t 3mJ Gen. ir-cott, since the occupation
ms Mexico, Lave been busy in bringing about a
mare paciHc feeling in the Government at Q>icrc*
taro* and although Mr. Trial’spot*era have been
r — f since revoked, letters from Mexico
|i r t that he still passed current as a Minister
with the Mexicans, and that he has taken no
pain*to correct the idea. Doubtless, Gen. Scott
an*! Mr. Tri't have ma le use of the recall of the
latter, to impress the Mexican Government with
the imi ortance of coming to speedy terms, be
fore the Juor of negotiation was entirely closed,
and Mr. Trist has persevered in his ex-oflicial
efforts to get a treaty, in the hope that success
would arcurc pardon of hi-* Diplomatic contuma
rv at bouse. We are inclined to believe that he
basso far succeeded a. to have o. tamed the agree
ment of the Government of President Pena y
Pena, to a treaty, which has received the appro
val of the Mexican Congress at Qucretaro, a id
which has by this time reached Washington.
The term* of the treaty arc understood by the
N. O. Delta to be ss follows: A cession to the
V. State* of all territory this side the Rio Grande;
the cession of New Mexico, the boundary being
the Southern limit of New Mexico to the State
of Sonora, until it strikers the river Gila ; thence
down the Gila to its junction with the Colora
do, and thence to the Pacific, below the Bay of
tSan Diego. This includes New Mexico and
•p|*r California, “except lhe Bay of Ban Fran
dom?’ This must be a mistake, as Suit Francis,
co is live degress North of the Southern line
•greed upon. In return for these concessions,
the U. 8. tenders to Mexico, the sum of three
to five millions of dollars to enable her to make
•nd carry the treaty into effect, rather than as
cam; citation for the territory acquired.
(Supposing these surmises to be all true —the
next question is, what will our own Government
MMX to it
That it is not bound to accept a treaty nego
tiated by an unauthorized agent, is clear.
We think, that, it will be accepted or rejected,
according as the administration believes that its
terms can be complied with. No men can be
more desirous of |>cace than Mr. Polk and his
Cabinet, but they are not the men to ratify a
treaty however favorable, unless they have con
fident assurances that the Government of Pena
y Pena, is able to perform its stipulation*.—
While th ere is a doubt on that subject, no treaty
*!kuM be made. Wc have no taste for begin
ning at tlic R>o Grande and once more fighting
the war over again to the capital. We hope
however, that the retention of the Castle of (San
Juan, and the presence of 12,000 ot our troops;
will afford such guarantees as the Government
can saf* ly act upon.
TIYE WHOLE OR—WIIAT Y
We aic unable, from any thing that we see
from Washington, to arrive at the purposes of
tho government relative to the future manage
ment of the difficulty with Mexico. The Chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Relations,
who 19 presumeJ to understand the policy of the
Executive, has lately declared that there is r.o
latent.on of niergiug the whole of the enemy’s
evuntry in our own, and thereby destroying her
separate national existence. This may or may
•ot be true,so far as present intention is concern
ed. Tnc President refuses, under a constitu
tional call, to communicate important informa
tion, to a co-ordinate branch of the government ;
and it may be that he has not divulged to this
Chairiuau the secret purposes now enveloped in
hs dark and dangerous councils. The cry is
null for men and money ; leading friends of the
administration are beginning to prepare the pub
lic mind for the annexation of the whole of Mex
ico ; and it ia openly proclaimed that this is to he
made the greit issue in the coming Presidential
election.— [Columbus Enquirer, 25/A i:ist.
Tb above is a fair sample of the ex parte
method of stating political facts. This and
** oomc more of the same sort,’’ constitute an
oftort to make people believe that the party inter
est* of the Democratic Administration are to be
promoted by a continuance ot>he war, for the
I*aoo* given by the Editor that “peace would
he to the party iu power, a death-blow to all
Ibetr political scheme*.” Now, it is probable
t; at we ot the Democratic party, know quite ai
wall •* any opposition Editor, what policy in
Irferrace to the war, will best subserve its inter
est* And wc undertake to say, cx cathedra, that
the policy of the Democratic party is directly
the reverse ot that indicated by the “ Enquirer.”
A just and honorable peace, to wind up a war
which has covered American arms with lustre,
is the true policy and the consummation most
vlrvouiiy wis.icd ior, of the Democratic party.—
And it is eminently \\ biggish to be charging
the contrary on the Democratic Administration,
when it is perfectly obvious that the open Whig
folic? i* iu cfu+ the forts of the President to
oi/min a peace, in tie it luf tin t the war can
timmtd, iriJl disgust the country, and make him
•Win piety Mjwtt This is the acme of po
litical hypocrisy. To throw obstacles in the way
ml fxare —to refuse su; plies of men and money,
demanded to foice a peace, to aid and comfoit
the enemy in speeches and newspaper articles,
and then turn round with consummate clfronte
*yaJ charge upon the Administration a desire to
prolong the war.
But ihe “ Enquirer” finds it difiicuU to “ar
rive at tic j u.'puaes of the Government relative
to the future management of ihe war.” But the
“ Enquirer dm's not find it difficult to suppose
aad to impute ’die very worst motives to ihe Gov
ernment. Pretending to an ignorance, which is
inexcusable with the President’s messages and
frank revelations before him. the Editor is quite
**able, trout what lie “sees from Washington,”
to launch; jeth into a tissue of absurd and improba
ble charges. If the Editor has not light enough
to tons an opinion of the President’s motive;,
carom in justice should have protected the Gov
orarorat frota an illiberal judgment, based on a
proferoed ignorance of the whole matter. This
tmimform i writer certainly uses pretty strong
languag* when be aays “no man believes that
•wr ruler* have at present any desire to end this
w” Wo can certainly say, with far better
hope* of being believed, that no man of sense
can doubt it. AnJ yet here is a party Editor
who would try to make men believe the absurd
pawpwnuous, that an dir,inistration now exists,
which m striving to strengthen itself and make
it* |srty popular, by itfolouging a tiresome, ex-
Ho Homan life and heath) a fatal
w *r—to mxke it.-rlf popular by the continued flow
of Wood, to gfliw (6e affections of the people by
carrying the pane*of widowhood'ahd bereavement*
to their domestic firesides—to become famous by
loading the industry of the country with a
huge National debt! <Ali this is the mode, ac
cording to a Whig Editor, which the Adminis
tration has circled, to recommend itself to the
love and confidence of an intelligent people.—
The Editor may find some stupid enough in its
own embittered ranks to believe it, but the ma
jority of mankind will reject it as the stuff that
I moonshine is made of. But wc wish to know
if it is not fair, to let a man, whose motives are
questioned, to speak for himself. We claim that
! right for Mr. Polk. Hetc is what he has fold us
in Iris htc messages:
“In my annual message to Congress of Dccern-
Iber last, I declared that “the war has not been
j waged tt ith a view to conquest; but having been
! commenced by Mexico, it has been carried into
ti:C enemy’s country, and will he vigorously
prosecuted there, with a view to obtain an hoti
! orable pence, and thereby secure ample indem
nity for the expenses of the war, as well as to
our much-injured citizens, who hold large pecu
niary demands against Mexico.” Such, in my
(judgment, continues to lie our true policy—in
deed, the only policy which will probably secure
a permanent peace.
“It has never been comiemplaied by me, as
an abject of the war, to make a permanent con
quest uj the republic of Mexico, or to annihilate
her separate existence us un independent notion.
On the contrary, it has ever been my desire Ihut
■'he should maintain her nationality, and, un
der a good government adapted to her condition,
be a free, independent, and prosperous repub
lic. ’
But, the “ Enquirer,” refusing to regard what
the Government has said, arraigns it for “ refu
sing to communicate .important information to
the House, under a constitutional call,” and de
clining to argue on facts known, proceeds to
build up a card house of conjectures on what is
not known. If the call was “constitutionally
made"’ hy the House, for the Executive instruc
tions to Mr. Trist, on the subject of a treaty not
concluded, it is a complete answer to say, that
the call was “ constitutionally” refused hy the
President. State secrecy in ma’ters of Foreign
concernment, is a principle founded on necessity,
and acted on by every Administration, from that
of Gen. Washington to the present. Such calls
from the House are usually accompanied by
the proviso, that in the opinion of the Executive,
the public interests would not suffer by answer
ing it. The Whig House have not had the graco
to put in this proviso, hut have mada an uncon
ditional call.
But, fortunately, the President knew his
duly, and had the firmness to support bis consti
tutional prerogatives as a “ co-ordinate branch”
of the Government. He therefore refused to
send information to the House, which, while the
war lasted, it would be injurious to the country
for the enemy to have. Ihe Whig House
should have been ashamed to ask for such infor
mation—the President knew his duty too well to
furnish it. Otherwise, as everything connected
to the House is made public, the Mexican Gov
ernment would, at this moment, be in possession
of the most important secrets of our State De
partment.
IMPORTANT, IF TRUE.
The very critical Editors of the Times and
Federal Union have made the wonderful discov
ery that Gen. Taylor’s name has not appeared
everyday at the had of our columns. The astute
editors in question might have made the same
discovery nearly every week since we hoisted the
Taylor llag! Our Foreman finds it ne'eessary oc
casionally to omit the standing matter at the head
of the paper, when prcsse.d for room, and we
hope he may be allowed to coutinue the practice
withoutdisturbing these Editors. Entertaining
the same views, with regard to the nomination
or Gen. Taylor, that we did when we first advo
cated it, we shall not play into the hands of our
Democratic friends, by abandoning him now
The wish with them is father to the thought.
[Savannah Republican.
Glad to hear, gentlemen, that you don’t intend
to drop the Hero of this “damnable war,” For
if you do, you do “play (right) into Democratic
hands.” IVe have been politically scared, lest
the “ magnetic” influence of the Civil Hero,
would, with its besom of power, sweep away
every vestige of the Military Hero influence.—
In that case, the in-harmonies of Whiggism
would become harmonious, and Democracy
would have a united, instead of a divided foe to
epcounteE Besides, it we are to have a Whig
President, commend us to such a Whig as Gen.
Taylor. We should have no objection to see
the Whigs “ Tyleriaed” once more. The last
triumph of the Whigs was gloriously barren’ of
fruits. To he sure, Granger did make the fur,
aye and the blood and the heads of Democrats
fly, and did work the guillotine with a zest and
fury that would have put Messrs. Danton and
Robespierre to the blush—but it lasted only a
few brief weeks. Their aged President died a
victim to his party, and Granger’s head was
brought to the same block he had stained with
the blood of thousands of the Democracy. Bu t
their State Rights Whig Vice President succeed,
ed to the Presidency, and lo ! the fruits of Whig
victory were turned to ashes on their own lips.
John Tyler, “Hon st John,” was Federalist
enough to be their candidate, but not enough to
conduct an administration on the Massachusetts
platform. It was a terrible blow and grievo. sty
did the Whigs mourn ever It—but it was a just
retribution for giving up principles to expedien
cy. It was a fitting winding up to a party that
went into the contest w ith “no principles for
the public eye,” and “spread its nets for birds of
every feather.” Among other birds it caught a
Tartar in John Tyler. If the Whigs arc,, in
clined to repeat the experiment with General
Taylor, be it so. Instead of being Tylerized .
they will only be Tayhrizcd. There is a won
derful similarity in the names, suggestive we
should think, of highly Tartaric reminiscences
to our Whig friends.
Now, in respect to the Republican’s “Fore
man,” we say nothing, and Gon. Taylor’s name
may be moved up or down, inside or outside, or
upside down, if it suits the mechanical conven
ience of the Foreman, or the political conven
ience of the Editors. But, certes, it did not
take a very great “ critical” acumen on our part
to discover that Gen. Taylor’s name was taken
dowu from the Republican’s mast head. For be
it observed, the event was timed at a very
curiously ‘critical” moment. It happened just
as the “ Magnetizer” at Washington, was put
ting his batteries in motion, and just as the sub-,
tic fluid was making “Taylorism” quake, and
scatter, and fly from its propriety, right and left
throughout the country. Surely, the Foreman
ought to have squeezed something else out, than
the flag under which -the Republican ship was
navigated. We would suppose that to a good
seaman, overloaded in 6trcss of weather, the
very last thing on board he would deliver to the
mercy of jetsam and flotsam, would be lfisb.unt
ing. But we arc not gainsaying the truth ot
the Republican’s excuse: On the Foreman let
the biamo rest.
Check by jowl, with the paragraph, which is
our text, we find in the Republican,” an arti
cle headed “ National Convention,” which we
find to W a Special appeal’ made to the “ Recos
deiv” to'potaway its ultra, and exclusive Taylor
ism, ami to consent to go into Whig Convention
at Philadelphia. This article raises the pre
sumption that while the “Republican” “enter
tamsthe aarri* view# wish regard to the nomina
tion of Gen. Taylor, that we (they) did when
they first advocated it;” yet that its Taylorism
is not so ardent as that of the Recorder. We
think, formerly .there was not much difference be
tween the zeal of the paper at Savannah, and
the one at Miiicdgeville. At present, the latter
has the advantage. It is “aut Taylor, aut Nul
lus”—Taylor or nobody. It believes that the
Convention and Clay are convertible terms—
that one means the other—that Clay will be
nominated, or if Taylor shoud be by a scratch,
that he cannot be elected as a Whig nominee.
In c horf, the Recorder evidently thinks that old
Zacb must evidently get a little Democratic help
to get to be President. The Republican, on the
other hand, goes for Taylor, if it can, for Clay,
if it must. Under the circumstances, then, we
think we might be pardoned for taking this act
of the Republican’s Foreman, as a “ straw,”
showing the direction of the political breezes in
tlio low country. Our brethren of the “ Geor
gian” led us into the observation, and if they
don’t show that the spirit of the Republican’s
columns has ebbed and flowed, and oozed in
and out, m excellent cadence with the outward
pressure on the Foreman’s convenience, wc
shall cry—as we now do— peccavi.
BETTER COUNSELS.
The readers of the “ 1 imes” well know how
we have dwelt upon the miserably false position
which Southern Whiggism has been forced to
occupy, in reference to grave political questions,
affecting Southern rights and interests. It has
been the misfortune of the Whig party South,
to he obliged to receive all its political impres
sions front it's* party associates at the North.—
Thus we have seen the Whigs of the South,
give up, one alter the other, every article of a
political creed, which used to be deemed sacred,
to the insatiate demands of Northern Federal
ism. Thus, Nullijiers have abandoned the
“rightful remedy” grounded their arms, and be
come the extreme advocates of a Restrictive
Tariff’; the warmest opponents of a National
Bank have dropped their hostility and turned
Bank men; the veto power, the aegis of the Con
stitution, for die protection of the minority in
terests of the Southern States, has been Sacri
ficed to ihe same cormorant appetite for domina
tion, and hostility to internal improvements, to
distribution of the public land sales, and to all
other anti-statc-rights, and anti-strict-construc
tion views of tße Federal Constitution, which
were formerly household political doctrines com
mon to all parties in the South, have been tram
pled down, and their fires paled and extinguished
by the blighting and unnatural amalgamation of
the Federal school of the North, and the State
Rights School of the South.
In the first year of our connection with the
“ Times,” we put forth these views, going to
show that there was no reason why there should
be any division of opinion and of parties in the
South, in reference to National politics—that
our position and Federal relations, naturally in
dicated Southern politics as Democratic, constru
ing the Constitution strictly, and guarding it
sacredly as the very best organic law and writ
ten muniment of our peculiar rights of proper
ty, and interests of position. The whole batch
of Federal doctrines is hostile to our interests.—
As an. agricultural country growing the great
staple of exportation, Free Trade is a natural
element of our prosperity. Such a country
wants free and open markets, where its products
can be sold best, and its su[-plies, the growth of
all other parts of the world, bought cheapest.—
Restrictive laws fall with crushing force on such
a country , being a lax on its productive industry
for the benefit of other protected interests.—
Such a country too, needs a sound metallic cur
rency, for while its products are the equivalent
of gold and silver in the markets of the world, a
huge paper system, managed ly parties alien to
its interests, places them at the mercy of bank
parlor intrigues and speculations. Asa slave
country, and a minority people, the veto power
of the Constitution is to us, and ought to be
cherished, as the jewel of the Constitution—at all
times ready to shield us from the designs of a
hostile congressional majority.
And the great principle of strict construction,
whose object is to check innovation on that
instrument, and to confine the power of Con
gress to its defined limits, should be the grand
conservative feature of Southern politics. In
the article referred to, we argued that the South
had been divided on this question, by personal
preferences and on false issues, and that many
good State Rights men had been driven to the
Whig ranks by these influences. A distinguish
ed Whig of Georgia, Jiving in a remote part of
the State, afterwards told us, he was forcibly
struck with the truth of those views, had dwelt
on them, and had been obliged to admit, that they
truly accounted for his being in the Whg ranks.
We have headed this article “ Better Coun
sels.” And it is because we think we can see
the light of these truths dawning on some South
ern Whig minds, and prevailing over the murky
cloud of party prejudice which have so long ob
scured them. We detect it in the South
ern Taylor movement—we detect it more
in the reasoning and facts relied on by the Tay
lor men and presses. It stands confessed and
conceded in statements and strong language like
the following from the Southern Recorder. God
speed the blessed rays of truth, and a happy
union oi Southern politicians on grounds of true
Constitutional policy and doctrine:
“ Even should Gen. Taylor feel at liberty to
accept a party nomination, vve are very certain
he will not give such pledges as the New York
Tribune and others declare to be essential to his
receiving, what they are pleased to call, Whig
support. And we would here, take the occasion
emphatically of washing our hands of such wliig
gery as Mr. Greely and the New York Tribune,
ei id onuie genus, are desirous of manufacturing
for the party. What impudence to talk in such
a strain as the following for instance, and pre
sume to call itwliiggery! Gen. Taylor is no
Whig after this specimen, as be will assuredly
let them understand who presume to require his
adoption, ay, or toleration, of any such senti
ments. Listen to Mr. Greely of the New York
Tribune :
“‘ldo not say Gen. Taylor may not be the
Whig candidate, though I trust he may not be :
but I do say, with confidence, he will not be.
without unequivocal avowals on his part that he
is one of us, that he accepts as a Whig—and.
without public assurances that he will not favor ,
but oppose liio extension of slavery under th*
laws and flags of our Union. That he will give
such assurances, 1 do not affirm ; but that the
whig party will not support him without, I havt
entire confidence.’ ”
New Bacon. —The Mountain Eagle of th
slh inst. says—“New Bacon is beginning ti
come in already. One gentleman arrived yes
teiday from Tennessee, who has about thirty
three thousand pounds of bacon and lard in th*
warehouse.”
Lxttxbs Fftost stxxico.—We have reeeiv- j
ed several letter# from the Mexican Metropolis,
which we are obliged to reserve until our next.
The following extract shows the whereabouts of
some of our Georgia people, in and out of the
army. *
“Mexico, Jan. 14,1848. i
“ Coinml>us is now pretty well represented (
here. VVe have Capt. Jones, Lt. Forsyth, S. 1
Kimbrough, Bonner, Rooney, Hunley and l thy- j
self, from your city, besides others from other
parts of. the State—Capt. Randall, I*t. Holliday,
Geo. Robinson, Rogers, aud now and then a
Teamster. Capt. Calhoun and command are
expected to make us glad the last of next week.
It is to be hoped that ‘they will bring us letters
and later news frora-home. A “ Times” or “En
quirer” is more rare than “ Ice in June or Ros
es in December”—for these are irequently seen
out of season —those never, in season.” J. K.
The City Subscription—The City Coun
cil confirmed, on thursday evening, by a vote
of 9 yeas to 1 nay, the City Subscription for
Muscogee R. R. Stock to the amount of 1,500
Shares.
Now is the time, for our citizens who have
heretofore held back, to come forward tc make
their Subscriptions. There are gentlemen in town
owning handsome ranges of brick stores and City
property, who have not yet contributed a dollar
to the general weal. A generous effort just
now, will ensure the completion of this road in a
twelvemonth.
Tuk Montgomery Rail Road. —We under
stand that this company has directed a survey
to be made of the route between this city and
Auburn, the present terminus of that Road.
Government Loan. —lt is said and believed
at Washington, that Mi*. Belmont the N. Y.
agent of the Rothschilds, has offered to take
the new Government 6 per cent loan.
The Knickerbocker. —Mr. Thus. P. Wil
liams, agent fur this valuable standard monthly
is now at the Oglethorge House, where he may
he found for a day or two, by persons wishing to
subscribe. The rich list ol its contributors and
its high favor with the press, abundantly attest
the character and popularity of this magazine.
Flint River Factory. —We take great
pleasure in inviting the attention of merchants
and other dealers in Domestics, to the advertise
ment of the Flint River Manufacturing Compa
ny, in another column. Specimens of the fabric
which they offer for sale, can be seen at the store
of Messrs. Richards & Jefferson in this city.—
The people of this State should always give a
preference to the products of home industry and
labor. More especially when a belter article can
be had for as low a price, should the natural de
sire to foster our infant manufacturing industry,
have full play*.
Whig Harmonies.^— lt is funny to read the
whig papers now a days. The Augusta “Re
public” has this paragraph:
“Read Mr. Bott’s Letter to the Richmond
Whig. He is as true to Whig principles and the
party, as the needle is to the pole.
Now hear what the Montgomery “Journal” a
brother whig says of this same John M. Botts
who is “true to whig principles as the needle to
the pole.”
It is the duty of the southern whigs who wish
a Convention to take care that their interests are
not sacrified, as they will be if they continue
tamely to follow the lead of Greely and John
Minor Botts, and allow them to insist on issues
not practical, aye, even as they are now striving
to do, manufacture and attempt to point on the
party new issues and new principles in relation
to the war, &c., which the masses of the parly
have not acted on —have not sanctioned, and are
not ready to sanction —to hedge the candidate
about with pledges not practical and not necessa
ry, and force perhaps, a YVilmot proviso candi
date on the parly. If these things are done the
whig party of the south is annihilated.
THE MUSCOGEE It AIL-ROAD.
The knowledge that the Muscogee Rail-Road
Company was making contracts to commence
work at the Barnssville end,has frightened some
ol our good citizens out of their wits, lest the
opening of the Road at that end, will bankrupt
the city in cotton bags, before the other end is
completed. And the effect has been that some
respectablo gentlemen who have subscribed for
stock, have refused to pay the instalments called
for, because the Company was about to ruin the
town. Passing by the legitimacy in point o !
morals and ot law, of this novel species of repu
diation, let us enquire what these gentlemen, who
profess to be governed in this matter by an eye
single to city interests, are going to gain by it.
In the first place, with no Rail Road, the
town is ruined “any how.” Thisyear, Griffin re
ceives 10,000 bales of Columbus Cottons.
In the next place, we cannot build a Road
without money, and if every body follows the
example of the recusants, vve have then arrived
at the point these gentlemen so much dread.
In the third place, those who don’t repudiate
and intend to build the Road, must be permitted
to build it in such a way as will cost them the
least money and soonest begin to make a return.
Every, ten miles of Road opened from Barncs
ville Ibis way, will pay a revenue of §I,OOO per
mile. The Road will begin to pav from the
start. Now, this Road must be built, it at all,
by the capital of individuals, with the compara
tively small subscription of the city. If indi
viduals invest money in such projects, they must
see their way clear to get its worth in good stock,
and fair dividends. Here is a Company that has
undertaken to raise nearly a million of dol
lars to build a Road for their own and the pub
lic benefit. What is the proposition made to
them by the repudiators! It is simply this:
\ ou must not only invest your money to build a
Road, which we all admit to be indispensable to
this city, but you must do it in the way that we
point out. You must begin at this end first, al
though it is apparent, you can save a hundred
thousand dollars, by beginnig at the other; and
although, to begin at the other makes its final
completion more sure and more speedy than to
begin at this. This proposition is made, too, by
the representatives of a few thousands of dol
lars worth of stock, to a million company. And
for what cause! Why, forsooth, because a few
bags of Cotton may temporarily stray away
from Columbus. Ami now, while our trade is
runningout from th e-bung, while our Colton is
leaving us by the 1,000 bags, the penny-wise
wisdom of guarding the spigot, is proposed. “Let
the bung flow, but by all means,” say these gen
men, “stop the leak at the spigot.” The impolicy
of this course consists in defeating its own ends.
If by withholding their subscriptions, they are
able to stop the work, wc have no Road and the
hung is left open. If they only succeed indelay
ing the work, they only prolong the drain at the
spigot And these are the alternatives, for we
take it, enough simpletons owning a million of
dollars, are not to be found to agree to lose 10
per cent of their capital, by going to work, wrong
end foremost. 80 that either the Road must fail
through the action of the recusants, or it must
begin at the other end, and proceed more slowly
m account of tht-ir refusal to help.
” it would seem to us to be far wiser, in those .
who hold to this opinion and course, to put their
shaulders vigorously to the work, to subscribe j
largely themselves, and by their example encour
age others* to do so, and thus enable the Com
pany to put the whole route under contract, and
finish the whole simultaneously, or as near it
as possible, than to be throwing obstacles in the
way, which can have no other effeot tha-n to real
ize their own worst apprehension*.
But the argument is stronger, even, than we
have put it. The question is resolved into this.
That by beginning at Bartlesville, the Road may
be built with the present means of the Company’
but if it is begun here, it is wholly impossible hr
do it. ■ ,
The following figures will show:
The present means of the Company, are
Privute subscriptions, - 120,000
City subscriptions in cash, - - 60,000
“ ** “ Bonds, - - 90,000
—*
270,000
Now lay this sum out at this end, and at
SIO,OOO per mile, (taking out $43,000 for Lo
comotive.-., Passenger and Freight Cars,) we may
construct miles of Road. And this Road,
according to all experience, not connected with
other Roads at either end,will not pay theexpeuso
of running it. Here then, our money is gone,
and we have a short Road that don’t pay, and
nobody interested to help us.
On the other hand, begin at Barnesville, with
the $270,000, and 27 miles of Road, in connec- j
tion with and fed by other great routes, will be
built—the $43,000 outlay for machinery can be
saved, by an arrangement with the Macon and
Western Road to run over it, with their Loco
motives and Cars, and the Road pays a revenue
of $27,000. With 27 miles of profitable Road
built and in band, with the certainty that every
new ten miles wdl add SIO,OOO to its revenue,
with the strong interest which other Roads in
connection with it, will have in seeing it pro
gress; it is plain that the Company will be able
to command a credit, without any additional
means, to push it on to Columbus. But other
means may be relied upon. Capital can always
be had for profitable investments, as it is admit
ted this will be ; but it cannot be had, neither
can contracts be made lor work, payable in stock,
to build a Road beginning nowhere and ending
nowhere.
The Road has to be built from Barnesville
here, or it is’nt to be built at ail, unless the Cor
poration of Columbus and the citizens of Co
lumbus, who dread the spigot leak, will come
forward and plank down the million that it
will take to do the whole, at once. Wc ad
mit that the latter would be the best course.—
But every body knows it is impossible. We
therefore go for the only remaining plan of doing
the work with tho means in hand. We hope
the citizens of Columbus will consider these
facts. They are the deductions of reason and
common sense. And we wish that some of our
citizens, who have been so industrious in throw
ing obstacles in the way of the Rail-Road Com
pany, would remember how much easier it is to
pull down than to build up,and would show those
whom they are inciting to join in their views, in
what other possible manner this Road can be
■ constructed. \
TSIE SOUTH WESTERN ROAR—MA
CON &, COLUMBUS.
We are again called on to act out the doctrine
of ami alteram partem, and in its spirit to copy
trom the “Messenger and Journal” a communi
cation, devoted to the task of putting the “Times”
wrong, in the matter of the Barnesville road.—
We lave nn objection to the discussion. Indeed
we think it ue;ul, tor while we have our opin
ions, we are not so blindly wedded to them, as not
to be open to conviction.
If“S. W. Georgian” had only waited until our
last paper reached him, lie would have discover
ed that we have used the identical figures to show
that Macon and Savannah ought to be satisfied
with the Barnesville connection, that he uses to;
convince us, that via Pondtown is thetiue route
lor Columbus. The writer’s figures indeed,upset
the whole fabric ofLis argument. Ho insists that;
Columbus interests require us to connect with
Macon by Pond town, ami he gives this table ol
distances to support the argument:
S. W. Road to Pondtown 75 miles “
Pondtown to Columbus 37 “
112
Thus wc will reach Macon (90 miles distant
direcf)by a circuitous route, and our part of it a
branch at that, by 112 miles of travel. Now
what is the distance to Macon via Barnesville.
Columbus to Barnesville 75 miles “
Barnesvile to Macon 40 “
H 5
Just 3 miles difference; with the compensating
advantage to Columbus in favor of the Barnes
vill route, of a direct trade with the Cherokee
Country; and very soon with the entire west;and
not before very long, with the great Northern
lakes; and of this compensating advantage hereto
fore urged by us, the writer himself says, “/ am
free to admit that it contains weight.”
Wc have never read a more conclusive argu
ment than that now before us, from the pen of “S
W. Georgian” in support of our convictions, that
Columbus will be false to her true interests and
will foolishly sacrifice her independence and trade,
ifshe consents, to be contented with her connection
with the great Rail Road arteries of the country
by a branch road from here to Pondtown—sup
posing as the writer assumes, that the S. W,
Road will be the grand thoroughfare between the
Atlantic and the gulf, and that there is to be no
other. We ask if our doom is not that of perfect
isolation. As freight and travel with their atten
dant enriching and life giving influences, speed
over that road, from Savannah to Pensacola,
what part of it will diverge at Pondtown to seek
this lonely and interior village ? How is Co
lumbus to be henefitted by being removed 37
miles from this stream, as it ebbs and flows, north
and south ? Suppose for a moment, that asimiiar
proposition was made to Macon; and Savannah
.should ask that the S. W. Road should be ben- c
S. W. lrom Macon, to strike the Central Road 40
miles below Macon and the latter should be vc uch
safed a branch, to connect her at some poii.t on
the S. W. Road, 37 miles distant. This prepo
osition which Macon would justly scout with
contempt, is just about what is proposed to Co
lumbus. A direct communication with Macon to
the abandonment of all other projects might be
tolerable, but to stick us off on the far end of a
branch, out of sight, hearing and reach of the great
stream of trade and travel, is what this communi
ty will never aid in or abet, until the spirit ofdo.
rnestic faction and pride of opinion shall have
driven all our remaining reason to the “brutish
beasts.”
The writer greatly misapprehends our motives
and feehngs if he supposes that we are wedded to
Augusta interests or misled by CoL Gadsden* re- J
port. With the former we have no communication
and the latter We have not read. Our sympathies
used to be with Savannah,as they were naturally
inclined. They w_uld be now, but for the gras
ping and selfish spirit manifested on all occasions
by *ho Central Rail Road Company. That com
pany has deliberately made up Ha mind, if we
may judge by its acts, to bend Columbus to its
purposes of insane rivalry to the Georgia Road,
or to ruin us for oar contumacy. We hope Co
lumbus will prove too strong &. self reliant for the
success of either project. If our people are true
to themselves, she is doubly armed against these
efforts of the Central company, because they are
forced and unnatural. It is wrkl dream—-never to
be realized—that of throwing Columbus off the grea
track, dc building a road through the lower coun
ties & across the wilderness country of I lorida to
Pensacola. The completion of the Muscogee Road
and the connection of Columbus with the Mont
gomery Road, will kill that scheme,*stone dead”
long before a tenth part of it is perfected; and Co
lumbus will derive all the boasted benefits via
Barnesville of the Central Road and tha steam nav
igation from Savannah to New York. We repeat
that we are on the nature 1 , middle and compromise
route,that it is folly to build lengthy roads in rival
proximity, and if the S. W. Road is built, that it
will be a repetition of the folly which conceived
and executed the plan of two rival roads from
the Savannah liver to Atlanta.
The aiticle is fall of fallacies in reason, and
misapprehensions of the true state of the facts.—
The intelligence ol every reader will refute them
to his own mind as he peruses them, and if we
had the space, they would be hard'y worth point
ing out. If is enough to have shown,that by the
Barnesville route, we of Columbus, get all the
advantages, which the writer promises us by that
of Pondtown, lor the trouble of Tuning just 3
miles further; and we obtain other benefits which
the writer admits are “weighty.” Three miles
on a Rail Road is a matter of just six minutes.
And for six minutes wc are to give up every oilier
consideration, place Macon betwixt us arid Cher
okee and Tennessee and go 75 miles out of our
way, through Macon, to reach Atlanta 1 N4 c
really do not think the‘game is worth the candle.’
SOUTII-WESTKRN RAIL-ROAD.
The Albany Courier suggests to this Compa
ny, that the contemplated project of extending
ihat Road to the Chattahoochee river, with a
view to an ultimate connection with the Gulfoi
Mexico, at Pensacola, be abandoned, and that the
Road stop at the Flint river, the latter to be
cleared out and rendered navigable to its
mouth.
The Courier objects to depending exclusively
for the commercial outlet of tha* part of the
country, upon the Rail-Road connection with
Macon, and says the people down there are de
termined to huve the Flint river opened, so as
to be in constant communication with New-Or
leans.
If such are the view? of the people, it shows
that they are alivo to their true interests. And
we wish the people of Columbus weie as wide
awake and prompt to act on the same sugges
tions of wisdom and experience. A Bail-Ro.d
to Barnesville would, make the improvement
of the Chattahoochee River for navigaiion, a
work of necessity, and would place Columbus
in tho position which the Albany Courier argues,
that Macon would occupy, if its suggestions are
heeded. We call attention here, to the Editor’s
r* asoning. Every word of it is applicable to
the present situation of Columbus and its pros
pects, in connection with a Rail-Road to Bames
ville:
“By these means, a direct trade would be
opened between Macon and New Orleans, which
could not fail to increase her commercial impor
tance and relieve her from the necessity ofpiay
in%'■‘•secondfiddle'” to Savannah. Is it not rea
sonable and sate to calculate that Macon would
become the depot of an increased amount of cot
ton and produce which would seek a market at
New Orleans, and which now, of necessity, finds
a market in Savannah, without ever entering Ma
con at ail. Again, Macon would become the
store house for the supply of groceries, for the
up country, to a much greater extent than she
now enjoys. And we do not see, why the amount
oftrarel anticipated by a junction with Pensacola
may not be confidently expected on this route.
The difference between Pensacola and Apalach
icola is not so great as to make it an objection
ofimportance; for we are credibly ir formed, that
the passage from New Orleans to this ‘face, were
the obstructions removed from our /iver, could
be accomplished in four days, and that a boat
would not be two hours, at any time, from a se
cure and safe harbor.
The “ Courier” is mistaken in supposing that
the overtures of the South Western Company
have been “ cavalierly” rejected by Columbus.
They have been declined because they were op
posed toMie interests of Columbus—f>rthe rea
sons, in short, io forcibly set forth by the Courier
itself. Columbus wants an outlet to the Gulf,
and to the Atlantic, and to penetrate the Chero
kee and Great Western country. She wants
precisely what the Courier has advised Macon
to strive for. Columbus is seeking her true in
terests, as she understands them, but in no “cav
alier” spirit to other places and pr< jucts.
From the Georgia Journal & Messenger.
THE SOUTH-WESTERN RAIL ROAD
vs.
‘flic Columbus and Barnsville Rati
Road.
The Columbus Times in its last issue, con-,
tains a lengthy editorial contrasting the relative
advantages to Columbus, by the construction of
the Barmaville and Pondtown branches ot Rail
Road. It is willing to make liberal allowances
for the difference in the cost of construction, yet
peitinuciomly adheres to the former route, upon
the ground that its completion will guarantee
unrivalled commercial prosperity to Columbus,-
It is alleged by the Times, that the prices of cot
ton will De enchanced. and the profits of goods
reduced by constructing this branch, which will
open to Columbus a rivalry of markets, viz:
Charleston and Savannah. This enhancement
in the prices of cotton-and reduction in tho pro
fits of goods, is ascribed exclusively to the facili
ties of reaching the Atlantic markets. In this, I
have no doubt ihe Times is correct. But how
the Times could urge this as an argument in fa
vor of the Barnesville Branch to the exclusion of
the Pondtown Branch, is exceedingly strange.-
The Times docs not say, yet its readcro arc 101 l to
infer, that the Pondtown Branch will prevent
Jharlesion from coming in competition with Sa
vannah. The Times must have Iven under the
refreshing influence produced by Col. Gadsden’s
report, which placed Savannah so far up the Riv
er, as to leave it doubtful whether she belonged
to the seaboard or interior. lam wilting to be
lieve that the Times lias, upon re-conaidering
its article, diseoverod its want of strength and
pertinency, and ere this found out that Savan
nah is a little nearer to Columbus than the city
of Charleston. The following schedule exhibits
the relative distanceejto Savannah and Chailcston
and I avail m\self of the occasion to commend
it to the serious consideration of the Times and
his co-laborers in the of the Bainsviile
Branch.
Savannah to Macon by Cential Rail-
Road, - - - * 180 miles.
Southwestern Railroad to Pondtown 75 “
Pondtown Branch to Columbus, 37 “
295 miles.
Hamburg and Charleston Rail*
roda, .... 136 miles.
Georgia Railroad to Atlanta, L 72 “
Atlanta to Burnsville by Macon an West*
Railroad. 5|
Burnsville and- Columbus Branch, 71 “
436 inilesv
The schedule shows Savannah to be 143 auto
nearer fx Columbus than the city of Chattotba.
If is equally at the former ns well as the latter,
that ti>e shipper of cotton-Aa:. ran determine the
best market. If the advices received from all the
commercial-World should exhibit Hie strange an*
ouialy, tha* the Charleston mnritet Was the high
est of” alfcihe ports-in this* country and Europe
(resides, why the shipper ofcotton Would ordr v
with freights merely nominal sails unfurled- fin
that market.
11 tho Times Was really solicited*- of construc
ting its favorite entv.prize with the view of bring
ing Savannah and Charleston in competition, it
ought to have espoused the Pondtown Branch.-
But if, as I apprehend its feelings are with*Au<-
gusta and Charleston, its counsel and energy it’
prevailing, will leave little hope of seeing Savan
nah and Charleston in competition for the com
merce of its city.
The argument ofthe Times for the Barnesville
Branch upon the grounds stated,, shows clearly
that its reasoning is exceedingly weak and un
tenable in support of its first proposition, viz:—
“To open a safe aud speedy communication witte
other Roads having their termini on the Atlan
tic. &c”
I will here attempt to set off the advantages try
Columbus by constructing the Pondtown Branch
in opposition to those offered by the Times in sup
port of his first propositon. In the first place,
the distance is only 37 miles and the country ex.
ceedingly favorable for the road. It will cost
about one third the money required to complete
the Barnesville Branch. This is an important
item, when the Muscogee Railroad Company
has been repeatedly foiled to raise the requisite
fund to construct the work, and is still faltering.
It is the prospective benefits as well as the pres
ent, that should he taken into consideration in
the construction of great public works. Tha
Pondtown Branch, w hen the Southwestern Hail
road shall be constructed to Pennsncola, would
command the Atlantic markets on the one hand,
and those of the Gulf on the other. Away with
the idea that the Chattahoochee river is to foim
a part of the scheme to revive and to build up
the commercial prosperity of Columbus—situa
ted as she is, she can only keep herself upon a
line of travel by huildingthe Pondtown Branch,
.and by ultimately extending it to the Montgomel
ry Railroad. The Savannah steam ships now
being built, guarantees a division of the travel
.vith Charleston—Columbus to provide for com
ing events should act cautiously in this matter.
The Georgia, the Atlanta, West Point and
Montgomery Roads have never thought of any
detriment to their extensive line lrom completion
of the Barnesville Branch. Has (ho Time not
seen that the way to put Columbus off the lino
of travel, is to build the branch to Barnesville ]
Suppose a merchant from Tuscaloosa should
arrive at Charleston, would he turn from the
upper thoroughfare to pass through Columbus 1
Certainly not. He would follow the Railroad
when running towards home. Again, suppose
the merchant should arrive at Savannah, ho
would come up the Central, take the Southwest,
em and Pondtown branch to Columbus, and if
the branch from Columbus, should he completed
to the Mcngomery Railroad, he would arrive at
the capital of Alabama 10 hours sooner than ho
could pass by the upper tome from Charleston
to Mongomery. There is no doubt that tho
funds required to bull 1 tho Barnesville branch
would suffice to build both the branches, which
will keep Columbus from being thrown off the
line of travel. I lie i in.es can see no remedy
for tire ‘-red lines” placed i prn the map ac
uampany ing the report of the Engineers of the
Southwestern Railroad, unless it is to he found
in the cons'! ucliou of the Barnesville branch. I
nm not personally acquainted with the Chief
Engineer of the Southwestern Railroad, though
1 risk nothing in saying that when those “red
tines” which startle the people of Columhna
with a cordon of Railroads threatening to sur
round them, were placid upon the map, it was
done to point out. to liio citizens of Columbus the
true nature ot their position. It is doubtless true
that the red lines have had no little effect upou
the minds of sundry citizens of Columbus whose
clear heads have enabled them to appreciate the
necessity of co-operating with the Southwestern
Railroad. It may he true tliat the great meet
ing held in Columbus the other day to decide
on the routes, was gotten op by the friends of
the Pondtown branch, and out voted. It is but
the other day. that Columbus thought ofthe inw
er route. Thus far the red lines have had a
benefiieial effect, ami must work out her com
mercial salvation—notwithstanding present indi
cations are inauspicious.
The second proposition of the Times will lie
answered in a week er two. lam tree to admit
that it contains weight—the only weight in tho
whole range of the arguments put forth by tho
Times. I fancy to myself that the connection
with the Southwestern Road opening the trade
ofthe tropics or the Atlantic, will more than
compensate tor the loss (ifany) ofthe trade of
Cherokee or Tennessee, which she will sustain
by an abandonment of the Barnesville brunch.
Furthermore, I intend to show, that by placing
herself upon the tine, she will he eminently situ
ated to participate in the loss of a tiade which
she now deplores, as the result of a change of
routes.
SOUTH-WESTERN GEORGIAN.
Refinkd i’latvt.vtos Scout.—The recent
improvements in manufacturing sugar begin to
produce practical results. We notice the arrival
and sale of 150 hdds of New Orleans white su
gar refined on the plantation, it sold at 6£ cent*
per Ik, and is said to be quite equal to the best
refitted loaf. The Louisiana Planters having
expended large sums in experiments for the pro
duction of white sugar, have at last adopted the
French patent of Mous Rillieux, tbo result of
which it the production of this new and beauti
ful quality at the very low wholesale price of six
and a half cents-
DR. SWAYNE’S GREAT DISCOVERY.
SINCE THE DISCOVERY.
DR. SWAYNE’S
Valuable Medicine*
Thousands have been restored to perfect Health,
who but by its use would now be in the silent grave !
ANOTHER LIVING WITNESS.
Read with astonishment the wonderful cure
performed by Dr. Swayne’s Compound Syrup of
Wild Cherry :
Philadelphia, Jan. 25, 1847.
Dr. Swayne—Dear Sir. Injustice to yourself
and a duty I owe to suffering humanity, I cheer
give my testimony, and declare to the world the
most astonishing effects, and the great cure your
Compound Syrup of Wild Cherry performed on
me, under the most unfavorable circumstances.
I was taken with a violent Cough, Spitting of
Blood, severe Pains in the Side and Breast, which
seemed to break down and enfeeble my Constitu
tion, so that my physician thought my case beyond
the power of medicine, and iuy friends all gave
me up to die; but thanks to you, and the effects
of your great discovery, I now feel myself a well
man, and raised from a mere skeleton to as fleshy
and healthy a man as I have been for years, and
shall be pleased to give any information respec
ting my case, by calling at my residence, Mechan
ic street, third door below George street, North
ern Liberties. Jacob Paikter.
ONE WORD OF CAUTION.
Since the introduction of my article to the pub
lic, there have a number of unprincipled individ
uals got up nostrums, which they assert contain
Wild Cherry; some ere called “Balsams,” hit
ters,” and even “Syrup of Wild Cherry,” b*R
mine is the original and only genuine preparation
ever introduced to the public, which can be pro
ved by the public records of the Commonwealth
o{'Pennsylvania. The only safeguard against im
position is to see that my signature is on each
bottle.
DR. H. SWAYNE,
Corner of Eighth and Race sts., Piiila*
For sale wholesale and retail, by
ROBERT CARTER,
Sign of the Red Mortar.
POND & WILLCOX, and
WINTER & EPPING,
Agents for Columbus, Ga*
Also, by SHOTWELL & GILBERT,
Macon, Oa-
ANDREW OLIVER & CO.
New Orleans.
Dec. 21,1847.