Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-08-19


AN ADDRESS.
Delivered before The Railroad Contention he'd at H.
dianapoEs he I2th Of Hay. 1sf7 By ~. S Uaif,
delegate from The State IF Illinois Rep1rted FIR the
Merchants Magazine
The commerce of the West has received but little aid
from the general government, although the navigation
lakes and rivers is not less important TO the nation
than the commerce Of the and the population
meaeiy interested in lis less numerous and
paws large amount into the national Treasury the
Atlantic region.
Ia he meantime let neglect duty which devolves
upon citizens, independent States in the
deavor accomplish that ready nIercnmmunicaton which
is the life of agriculture, of manufacture and of
which increases knowledge, and promotes the useful
aus-wh oh overcomes prejudice reconciles conflicting
views and teaches us that the tue of promoting
individual interest, consists in liberal disposition
unite in all just endeavors for advancing the general
prosperity.
Railroads, under the operation Of the locomotive low
ei. universally considered Of the mpor-
facilities of and of social intercourse
They have become common in Europe and America Re-
publics monarchies mixed governments ard drspOsms
all acknowledge their utility, and hasten avail them
selves of the benefits which they calculated besow
Not only the rugged hills of New England and the iron
mountains Of Pennsy vania echo the shrI whistle Of
the locomotive but they have made their progress the
extreme South, and already pressing from all sides
O the valley Of the Mississippi.
cOnunuOuS Dt Ol IalfOa0, from the Eastern Atlan-
tic border to the st Louis upon the Mississippi not
project Of very recent date IL has been subject of pr
var discussion tor many years. and this desirable
enterprise might long have been accomplished the
benefit of the whole country. had the cOmmendsble
spirit for such Improvements wild in pursuit Of
schemes for sectional and local advantage.
charter applied for during the session of the
legstuTe of Illinois, 20 construct railroad from ST
Lonis to Tere lte The bill passed the House o.
Representatives in that State but failed in the Senate by
vote Had this opposition been seasonaby foreseer
by the friends OF the and the strength of the leg
salure fairly tested upon this question: such an unpece
dened result need scarcely have been apprehended The
assurances since received however from quarter to bt
relied upon. and Just apprehension which now pre-
walls relative the character of the enterprise ma:
gwen confidence TO those farmers of the State of Illinois
who have right to demand this grant for road to mar
ket well as the public at large that serious Oppos
will hereafter be made this most useful and Eeces
say The convention remodel the constitu
ton of the State of Illinois, together in June
Should the new constitution he accepted by the people,
session under its provisions may confidently be looked fo
at early period January At this time. thu
grant Of the desired charter will surely be accomplished
should unexpeced and adverse change take place
public opinion.
The action Of the legislature Of Indiana by the bill in
cooperating company to construct railroad from Terri
Haue to Richmond. and The right OF way given by thu
State OF Ohio for IFS continuation through that State
now To place this great prise. of conlinuou
the West fairy within reach aud TO affJrd ralona
prospect of its early con~urnmarion.
10 promote unity of design and TO be prepared for uti
mate and rcrnt action, desirable that some semp
nj organic On its friends should take place.
that every preliminary which NAV he safely an
pr0htaby taken should be embraced without
delay. There always obstacles he encountered il
setting useful enterprises foot; perhaps in the pres
instance greater than might been anticipated
but If we are sctuaed Ivy the genuine spirit of American
enterprise such obstacles will be readily aud
far from diminishing ZEAL may prove stimulus tina
shall give fresh impulse to exertions.
This magnificent enterprise. when accomplished, wi
suPass IN extent and importance, any public work uPO
this continent, perhaps IN the world. The great
road OF the Emperor of Russia, TO connect Moscow witt
ST Peterbugh, sinks into comparative insgnifcance whe
compared with this; and and profitable invest
ment for capital, be devised that will surpass
IL should, however, be fully impressed upon every mind
that enterprise of this kind successful should
thoroughly and judciously undertaken.
railroad terminating at the present emporium O
commerce.. upon the Upper Mississippi, should be con
struced Of sufficient capacity accommodate all the bu
sIness which might seek that direction om divergent line
of railway, extending from commercial points on il
right aud rf from the shores of Lake Erie to the Obi
river.
To enable such enterprise to compete successful
with any other Of the description should be thor
OuRhy adapted TO the wants and the magnitude of III
service expected from and it should equa or If posi-
be surPass m safety economy OF conveyance capacity
and speed. any railroad in existence.
The states of OHIO. Indiana, Illinois and Missouri con
tain population of more than 4 600 600 at this time
When a. denseIy populated Msssachusetts-snd III
smped agricultural capacity Of this region
that they be-thee four States will equal numbe
the whole population Of Great Britain. We speak now {
only contiguous States but the entire valley of the Mis-
ssssippi already containing IO,O000OO of souls. and I'd
whole shore of tn" Atlantic. Immediately interested
grand GENITAL line Of communication letween these
Commercial. manufacturing and agricultural regions
The valley Of the Mississippi, the fertile counr
in world with its 30 600 miles Of svgable
and ocesn lakes. aunchrs upon lis waters con
uercs Of than $500 900. in value. The gres
medium Of commercial intercourse for this regiOn foun
ia its nssgahe waters hut to remedy the Inconvenience
drought and Of fros and furnish rapid travelling "a
cilty besides afdng the ready means Of transPortao
20 such points from rivers and canals IN
use Of railroads Is indispensable. We now capsbI
Of sustaining Them and il is only necessary that W
should be jdicious in FIRST selectonof routes. an
when the enterprise is begun. ebdessof TO accomplish
urk hat shall be fully adequate TO the public wants.
Between Boston and New York, there are already fou
routes by railroad, sad fifth is applied Tor The tray