Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-09-18

character thai cant be easily graded. by ma
king an advantageous location, many miles
would frequently be found together where lit
tie moro would be required than barely 10 lay
down the railing for the cars, nature having
intended this country, il appearances deceive
not, to receive the very Improvement which it
is now proposed to make. The exact distance
between ST. Joseph and Hannibal, on straight
line, is 1876 miles, and both lie in the same
township. The road will probably not exceed
in length 200 miles, Tor no cause exists 10 make
it dverge far from direct course, either 10 the
north or south. Estimating the cos, OF build
ing at $4,000 per mile, the whole amount
would be So, 100000 and this will be found to
be about the sum total Of the expenses.
The actual appreciation Of landed property
in Northern Missouri, consequent upon the
building of this road, would be many times
more than ten millions of dollars. The great
es oonveniences in travelling, and transporting
produce and goods, would be cheaPly purchas
ed al the expense Of running the cars and keep
ing the road in repair. Did the whole Of Nor
thern Missouri belong 10 one man, judicous
economy would lead him to build just such a
road, for the purpose Of enhancing the value OF
his property, and with view 10 The sale of his
produce, and the purchase of the articles con,
sumed by him. In relation TO this matter, the
ges 10 the same pou,, and what favors one, re-
bounds, in greater or less degree, to the ben
eft Of all SO that what the single individual In
the supposed case, would do, if sensible, the
thousands Of freemen who are responsible for
SO many families, and are urged on by so many
other considerations, will not refuse to do
The landhoder convenient to the road, who IN.
vests one-half Of his whole estate in the enter
prise, will find himself, on the day the road is
completed, much richer man than before,
leaving out of the calculation the value Of his
stock in the road.
In this connection, it is appropriate to re-
member, tina, the citizens are not expected,
and would hardly be permitted to construct this
road without assistance. In addition TO the
fact, that capitalists in the east and elsewhere,
would lay hold on the undertaking 80 soon as
brought fairly into notice, and so soon as
they are assured there is reality IN It, Con-
gress must, il approached al the proper time,
aud in becoming manner, donate to this road
land which will be material item in calcua
ting the cost, and will be $50 much gained by
the company Moreover, the proceeds Of the
100000 acre grant Of land belonging 10 North
ern Missouri, which amounts TO about $50 900
will, if the matter is judiciously managed, be
appropriated, in some shape, TO the construc-
zion of this road \ Should the Notwithstanding
this money amongst the counties, be repealed,
:he Legislature will certainly advance It, eth
er as gift or loan should that act not be
repealed, the counties interested would not,
unless afflicted with the most unaccountable
stupidity refuse or neglect, under proper act
of the Legislature for that purpose, to take
stock in the road, to the extent Of their respec-
live shares.
1t is now proposed to take view OF the pro-
bable business that would be doEe by the Han
Ebal and ST. Joseph Railroad, and to proveIby
the best reasoning Of which the nature Of the
case admits, that independently Of all the pre-
cedng considerations, the capital embarked in
the enterprise, either by counties, citizens, or
nou>resdents, will bs probably invested
FIRST, it must be observed, that the West is not
now wha, she has been, nor what destiny in
tends her soon to be. Until recently, her re-
sources were unknown; she was considered in.
significant, and uniformly neglected. Now,
the Grea, Valley Of the Mississippi is respect
ed and admired by the patriotic statesman
fa.tered by the designing and ambitious polit-
clan; visited by people of every land and ions
que, and yearly made the home, Of thousands
of honest and Industrious migrants. Missouri
perhaps is not inferior to any Of her fair sisters
OF the West in native beauty-ln solid and sub
stanta charms. Her agricultural and mineral
resources are incalculable. She was long since |
denomlnated the "Future Granny Of the world"
Beneath her surface are buried, in rich prolu-
sion, all the materials for the Jorge and the
furnace. She may be called the Magazine OF
the World Her commercial facilities are by
no means inconsiderable, but these need i'm
provcmen, and additions. Were Missouri des
tined 10 remain through all time as she now is,
in regard 10 population, products and consump
ton, and in relation to other states, territories
and counties, it would be hazardous 10 invest
money in the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad.
But they who laughingly ask if "it will pay!"
or seriously inquire if the project is not CHI
merical, and soon 10 be abandonedl should look
around and contemplate for time, the yarions
influences conspiring to make this one Of the
mos, important undertakings ever engaged in
their minds should run out into the future, and
see Missouri as she will be-as the policy now
proposed will make her. That fatal lehargy
which has locked up the energies Of SO many
men, must be dispelled. The paltry ambition
which seeks nothing more than a mere hut in
the wild woods or the vast prairie, with hardly
food enough TO sustain life, must be discarded.
Missouri mus, contain dense population; her
mines must be worked; her soil must be cuti>
waited; and within her own limits must be man.
ulactured much Of her raw material. Citizens
must awake to consciousness OF her great
destiny, and by judicious improvements, has
ten the developments Of her resources. Mis-
souri, must likewise avail herself OF her mid
way position between the Pacific and Atlantic
oceans, and Of her position as the frontier state
east Of the Rocky Mountains, with reference TO