Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1835-10-24
FROM THE INDIANA JOURNAL.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
IN IN Ola IA.
No. /.

IN INDIANA.
No. /.
The subiec, TO which propose 10 sub.
mil few thoughts, is by no means new 10
the citizsns ST indiana. Il is one on which
they have bestowed much reflection. which
they have ever viewed with the deepest
interest, and in regard to which great una.
[nimi,y seems to prevail. To show that
public sentiment has ever set strongly in
favor Of internal improvement, requires
nothing more than reference to our past
history. We see evidence Of the fact in
the early exertions Of our public rnen in
Congress and elsewhere in favor Of thn
Iobject-in the spontaneous movements Of
the people which have been witnessed 10
different parts Of the Safe and at various
times since the formation Of our State gov
sernment-an and lastly in the very liberal
made by the last Legislature
Cor the purpose Of ascertaining the pracii-
lcability and cost Of constructing wosks If
internal improvement in the varloas Sec
tons Of the state. That this policy shou4d
he popular in Indiana Is lot snptising.
when we consider that - issad must ever
be peculiarly an agriehltuS.l state; that
the larger portion Of Yer Territory u sitsaao<f
remote from navigqbie streams; and that
her productie MS are chiefly Of that kind
Transportation. In fact to sup .ose that
different sentiment could prevail, would
oe to suppose the people ignorant Of their
own resources, unable to discern their true
Interests, and blind to the practical illus
trations afforded by nelghboring states.
| 1t is fortunate for Indiana that in embar-
king in ludlcious system Of internal i'm
sprosement,a as trust she will do, she docs
not venture upon an uniried and therefore
uncertain experiment. This responsibility
mas been encountered by other states; the
result is before Us; and We have only to
follow on, guided by the unerng light Of
Experience. We have seen the states Of
New York, Ohio, ana Pennsylvania sue
lcessively commence extensive systems Of
/ internal improvement and borrow millions
for their completion. And we have seen
that the people of these states have been
lgrea,ly bencf,ted by this policy-tl,at al
Though their taxes may have been increas-
ed for a time, Yet the very operation which
preduced this increase, has invariably bro't
, with it enlarged means for sustaining the
lbur.hen. In each case there have been
those who have predicted bankruptcy 10
the state and oppression and ruin to the
, people, as the result Of this policy; but it
! is worthy ofretnark, that in no single in
stance have these predictions been in any
degree fulfilled. fiat the present day. We
look around upon our sister states and in
> ,stitute a comparison between them. we
shall find, that their general prosperity and
their increase in wealth and political in
,, fluencr, bear a very near proportion To
their enterprise and zeal in the cause OF
internal improvement.
But though, the voice Of the people oil
this state may be, as it undoubtedly is.
J strongly and unequivoca!ly in favor of in.
.ernal Improvement as o system of policy
vet this will avail nothing SO long as :here
exists so much diversity Of opinion, in re.
: la,ion TO the peculiar measures by which
I this policy is to be carried into effect. To
accomplish any thing valuable there mus,
he some sacrifice Of sectional interest fo'
the general good; there must be harmon,
!, iof Seatme mt in regard 10 the details Of ihc
subject generally. and there must be uuii,
of action, and concentration Of effort
I Bat these desirable results can be brough
:. about only by full examination of ths
: subject in all its bearings and free ans
candid interchange of opinion ON the vari
I ous questions which will probably arise
o And il is for the purpose Of calling public
i attention to the investigation Of these i'm
: poriant details, more than any thing else
y that take up thy pen.
For the sake Of perspicuity, shall con
$ slider the subject under the various head,
a it naturally divides Itself. shall inquire
a First, whether our Improvements shall b.
e constructed by State authority or by Com
panies: Secondly, whether Canals OF Raj
i Roads should be preferred; and Thirdly
: what particular measures oflcgislation are
at this time, necessary to secure to tn
q people Of every portion Of the state III,
e benefits resulting from this policy.
No. II.
: Shall oar public ,corks be coastvsctcd b
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