Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-02-21
CONSTANTINE REPUBLICAN.

WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 81, 1888.
Southern tier Of Counties.--Internal COM
munication.-The southern tier of counties in
Michigan embrace one Of the finest countries in
the world, in an agricultural point of view, and
vet the producers have no means of getting their
effects to a market. All that is wanting Is d.
rect communication with lake Erie, that the TIL
Ter of the soil may be encouraged to prosecute his
labors, when our forests will be converted into
vineyards, which will pour out wealth incaicula-
BILE. We can then supply that market which is
now supplied by foreign countries The time is
not far distant when the west must raise the bread
stuffs for the east while the latter are more prof.
tably engaged in their various manufacturing
pursuits as the soil of the eastern states is be-
coming weakened and worn out and will not
pay tho husbandman for his trouble in cultiva.
tingit.
The liberal system of Internal Improvement
adopted by our legislature last winter, which au-
thorised the construction OF three railroads
the Peninsula of Michigan, is the true policy of
the state, and the interests of its Inhabitants
which will be lesson for the newer states to profit
by for years to come. Her system of Internal
Improvement, adopted few years since, formed
the grand stepping stone to her then future
wealth and prosperity-it placed her upon
proud eminence-she was looked upon with
an envious eye, by her sister states--it won for
her that Justly merted title, "the empire state"
of the confederacy--it opened path into the will
derness, developed the resources of the country,
and encouraged the enterprising husbandman to
settle and cultivate the soil of country before
unthought of, as it were. The effect has been to
settle almost every part of the state. We have,
ourself lived in that region, and have been wit
ness to the change wrought by the construction
of that mighty work. the Eric Canal Previous
to the construction of that work, we have known
farmers to carry their grain three hundred miles
in teams, to market; and now those same far
mers find market at all the various villages
reared upon the banks of the canal. We have
been witness to the growth of large populous
villages and cities, where, previous to the con-
struction of the work referred TO, was nothing
but wilderness. Those who have watched the
progress and effects of the system of Internal
Improvement, adopted by New. York and other
stetes must take lively interest in the system
marked out by Michigan. We are aware that our
system of Internal Improvement has enemies
the most hostile enemies but we could expect
nothing else. The system adopted by New York
had enemies, but it was, nevertheless, carried
through, and has taught those enemies that they
were contcnding against that which was intended
to enrich them and make them happy.
Even Michigan owes her present prosperous
condition, in a great measure, to the system OF
Intern Il Improvement of New-Yor Lake f.
RE, before the completion of the Erie Canal, was
mere desert waste Of waters;" and an emf
grant TO Michig n at that time, was put upon
a par with Lewis and Clark, who were celebrated
for their voyage to the Rocky Mountains at an
early day. Let our march be onward--let the
system of Internal Improvement, adopted last
winter, be clrred out as speedily as possible
The people have bid the promise, and they will
never be satisfied until that promise shall be full
iiIl,d. We are in the hsart of the greatest agri-
cultural country in the known world; and we are
L
dina and Illinois are doing their share; the 1t
ter is opening communication from Lake Mich
IGN to the Mississippi, ana the crest lead min s.
while the former is opening communication
through splendid and old s,ttled country, 10
the Ohio River.
Last winter, while the Internal Improvement
Bill was pending in our l3gisl,ture, an attemp,
was made to substitute, for q southern and
northern railroad railroad from Monroe through
Tccumseh, to the central road, and thereby cut
ting off tho southwestern part of Michigan from
any internal communication, which is the fliresi
portion of the state but fortunately, we had SUI
fciont strength and Justice among our members
to prevent il. This was known to the people o.
southwestern Michigan, and any attempt tt
cripple or delay the progress of the southern rail
road very naturally creates an excitement. Al
theopenrng of the present session of the legis
lature the proceedings of that body showed symp
toms of hostility to that part of our SYSTEM
They could sec those originally opposed to sucl
road busy engaged with those of the south wit
were little dspleased with the location made b.
the commissioners, to get a resolution passed =
suspend operations, until the same body should or
der re.commencement If this was not calcu
lated to alarm and excite the feelings Of the pee
pie of the southwestern part of the state, we d
not know what could A resolution finally pas
sed suspending operations thirty days, for tn
matter to be investigated by joint committee
five from each house. The names and residenc
of the committee, or the part they have hereto
foro taken with regard TO the construction OF
southern railroad, we have not yet asccriained
neither can we predict what will be the final re
suit short time will, however, settle the que
ton.
The Calhoun County Patriot comes out upo
the people of St. Joseph county for "instruc
ing" Mr.. Bradford to sustain the southern raj