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


richness Of the country, until the very
amongst monied Immigrants
would greatly enhance the price of lands.
Again, the farmer, through the instrument.
tally of the road, would realize more from
the same amount of labor bestowed, and
the land upon which that
labor is bestowed becomes more valuable
But individuals are not asked to give half
Of their land, nor any part of it. This
proposition is not made, though it might be,
did the occasion require. The citizen far.
mer is only asked to show that he wants
the road, by placing his own shoulder to
the wheel, so that others will be encouraged
to help. He is only asked to take moder.
ate amount of stock. which, as will be
shown in subsequent part fths address,
would be profitable investment.
Not only would the building of the pro.
posed railroad introduce money into every
section of the State through which it would
pass, and furnish demand for its surplus
produce, labor, and materials; not only
would it enhance the value of real estate
at some places one per cent, at some fifty,
and at some five hundred, perhaps, but the
population of the country would become
more dense; the aggregate yield of produce
would be enormously increased and the
individual profit accrung to each farmer
from the use of his capital and labor, would
be much augmented. In most of the in
termediate counties along the probable route
of the Hannibal and ST. Joseph Railroad,
and in the counties north Of straight line
between the two places, large quantity of
md and cuhiact tn
private entry; and where settlement has
been made, little more Improvement is to
be found, than a small "patch" of ground
just sufficient to subsist the owner and his
family. Why is this? 1t cannot result
from the character of the country in an
agricultural point Of view, because there
smiles not beneath the sun, a scope of coun
try so large as this, richer as to soil, or more
beautifully diversified by woodland and
prairie, and hill and valley. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY designed by nature for the use of
the farmer. 1t cannot be referred 10 the
character of the population, because no
where can there be found more industri-
Gus and energetic people than the hardy
pioneers of the Missouri frontiers, when
industry and energy will meet with an ade-
qua,e reward. Then why is it, that this
land, so beautiful and so rich, should be I'M
occupied thus long, or being occupied,
should not be cultivated! Why are no, its
boundless resources brought into requisition,
SO as to supply the wants, and enlarge the
convenience of mankind? The explanation
of this matter is found in the simple fact
that the whole country is so destitute of
transporting facilities as to deter most men
from settling in it. and those who do, have
no encouragement 10 raise anything for
sale. BY the force Of position, that hope
full energy Of character which was once
the most striking feature Of the immigrant
has died away into Incidence and lis'less
ness. But let this condition Of things be
changed: let the farmer hear tina, he has a
market for his produce, and a reward at
hand for his labor; place the interior conn.
ties of Northern Missouri on equal terms
with their more favored and better devel.
oped sisters, the river counties; or rather
give them a more commanding position, as
The Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad
would do. furnishing continual egress for
produce; and ingress for goods and grocer.
les, with all the advantages in speed and
cheapncss which railroad cars have over
steamboats,. Then will the face of the
country be changed indeed Then every
county will contain dense population, and
the lands now lying unculivated and un,
noticed, will be beauliied by the spirit OF
improvement, and literally groan under
the weight of abundant products. The pc
cuniary, political, moral and social relations
of The Inhabitants would be Moderated. IL
return for his labor, and the use of his
capital. the farmer would put money in
his pockets" and enjoy not only all the ne.
cessaries but many of the Injuries of living
and, above all, that best gift to man, "the
glorious privilege of being independent. -
The counties which now, from the paucity
of their inhabitants, are but a blank in the
election of officers, would successfully com
pete with the most populous river count!e:
in the political influence and legislative &C
ton. Then the local interest and predec
ton of Northern Missouri would be res
pected and duly attended to. What, more
than industry, is calculated to preserve The
morals of the people pure and unsulied!-
What more productive of vice than idle
ness! The people would have every in
ducement to be industrious, an indispensable,
consequence of this would be an improve
ment of morals. No controversy exist,
about the proposition that density of popu
la,ion is ever favorable to The education o
children. and the general increase of know
ledge among the people. Schools woul'
everywhere be encouraged, and in man!
places handsomely sustained, where nov
they are never thought of. By a continue
| intercourse between peighbor and neigh