The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-04

all cOnSpne 70 render the coheH1on rs lnue-
structible as the principles of free government
themselves
! : Let the number of our canals and railroads be
multiplied-let their extent be increased till the
remotest hills and valleys Of the whole country
resound with the hum of industry, and TEEN
with millions of hardy, industrious and inteili-
/ gent citizens Intelligence and improvement go
hand in hand together. The impulse that moves
them is too mighty to be staid. Their advance
ment is the of civilization itself, and cannot
be retarded without warning against the spirit OF
the age. We may be driving fast, too fast on
ward, but how shall the impulse be arrested
Incidental evils may exist, but shall we wreck
and crush the entire system to cure evils that
will SOON cure themselves It would be worse
than folly to do 500 1t would be a long step
backwards towards barbarism. The motto oil
Americans is-s'go-ahead :"
cannot close without one world in reference to
this canal, as means of national defence. Should
the capital of the Union, or the City of Baltimore
be again attacked by foreign invader!-Should
our own sell be again polluted by his footsteps
YOU will not be left to fight alone This canal
would TEEN with the brave and hardy sons OF
Pennsylvania, withhearts beating high and warm
for the battle,-banners would float in the breeze
cannon would echo through the gorges OF the
mountains as they do to-day-stern defiance would
sit in the faces, now beaming with joyous well
ceme-while, leaving the ploughs in the burrows,
down to your rescue, as the mighty waters oil
their own SusguehanIa, now rollong before us,
come sweeping to the ocean, whatever would
impede its course.
Look then on this improvement and consider
that YOU are stronger to encounter your foes, as
well as happier and better prepared to meet your
friends In peace and in war it will be produc-
tive of its benefts;-your children and your chill
dren's children, will neither outlive, nor forget
them. Long may the citizens of Maryland and
Pennsylvania abide in harmony and union, to
share the mutual advantages it will confer.
Long may our descendants meet here, to welcome
each other on this highway, the common proper
ty of both, and join, as we join, with one voice,
70 thank its bold and enterprising proleetoFs'
After the annunciation of the following toast,
DR.. Collins addressed the company.
The Legislature of Maryland of 1s3sI39-
The .lillion loaned by that body to the Tide Wa
ter Canal, while it is an honorable evidence OF
their liberality, viii ever remain also as me-
Siorial of their wisdom.
To this sentiment DIR. S. Collins, of Balti-
more, replied
In the discharge of the duty assigned to me as
! a member of that Legislature to which reference
has been made in the sentiment just offered rise
to return all due Acknowledgements. / we'll re-
collect the anxieties which accompanied the pas
sage oil the Dill making the appropriation recrFsu
to-, for the completion of the Susquehanna and
Tide Water Canal; but as those were scenes in
which was personally engaged, wilinot make
any further observations on that subject
! will, however, claim the indulgence of this
company, while embrace the opportunity thus
afforded me, 70 offer very few remarks on the
interesting occasion which has caused us to as
semble here-interesting to the whole country as
one great family, having a common concern in
| the welfare OF all its members-to US particularly
interesting, as more Immediately connected with
tho great work, the completion of which We this
day celebrate. There is one view which invests
this celebration with peculiar Importance to the
citizens of Maryland. She has largely partassen
of the spirit Of the age, and has literally invested
her means in attempts to draw within her limits
portion of the trade of the vast country which
lies beyond herr and her prosperity is most vital
ly connected with the completion and successful
/ operation of those great works. The Baltimore
and Susquehanna rail road company have lately
| consummated a triumph, having important
| bearing upon the interests of the State. We
| this day witness the termination of another of
her gigantic efforts; and joyfully hail it-like
the bow in the cloud which cheered the hearts of
the early inhabitants of world-as the sure
promise of all that is to follow.
| shall never forget the first extended view
ever had of the internal Improvements which
characterize our age and country. Four years
ago, had occasion to visit Pittsburg, and passed
along the Pennsy lvania canal. was astonished
at the magnitude of the work Rivers opposed
no insurmountable barrier to the enterprise of
man Mouatains were assembled or a passage
effected through their boGels-an achievement
more noble than that of the great Carthagenian
Captain, when he crossed the Alps. His object
was to devastate the beautiful and sunny plain
of Italy; to sack her cities; to deluge her fruit
| full fields with rivers of human blood Butthere.
the object was the promotion of the welfare and
the happiness of man. And, as / glided along
that peaceful canal, and SURVEYED the scenery by
which it is environed the fruitful fields, the pre-
cipltous mountain sides covered with the pride of
the forest, the flowing river and all the splendors
| OF an evening sky, was most deeply impressed
by the view of the beauties of nature. in connec-
ton with the triumphs Of art
This would not be the suitable occasion. even
II possessed the ability, to give history of In
ternal Improvements, contained in the works I
OF this and other countries All who hear me.
have general knowledge of that subject. a, the
works have been projected and carried on in ourt
day. That history will be written at some future
period | shall not enter upon comparison of
the prospects OF trade In our day With the trade
ofother times. Knight detain YOU with deerption
of the caravans which conveyed luxurious COM
modities over Arabian deserts; of the fairs which
assembled mnltitudes for the purchase of the pro-
ducts OF far distant chimes; Of PALMYRA rising as
If by cnchantment, with Eastern splendor, amidst
sterile wastes; but now without a tenant or a
lord; Of Bagdad inverted with all the magnif-
cence belonging to mart for the commerce of
nations. That day, with all its giories, has long
since passed. A troop of cameIs might suffice to
convey silks and spices for the consumption of the
luxurious; but would be utterly insignificant for
transporting the coal and iron which lie buried
deep within the bosom of the earth. The quest
of other days was 81 Injuries; with that, our age
combines the useful
The doubling Of the Cape of Good Hope, by
Vasquez De Cana, was one of the great achieve
ments Of its age, and effected an entire revolu-.
ton IN the intercourse OF nations. But how
much greater win be the facilities for trade, when
the perils OF voyage around the Cape will be a
yoided, if the connection of tile arabian gulf with
the Mediterranean sea ever pours the wealth of
Asia into the lap Of the civilized world. Who
will deny that tie discovery of a Northwestern