Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-11-05
INFLUENCE OF RAIL ROADS.

We find the following excellent article in d
late number of the Boston Traveller. Though
intended for particular section of country, it
is capable OF general application, inasmuch as
man, in his susceptibility to influences of the,
kind spoken of, is pretty much the same else
where as he is in New England =
Influence Of Rail RoQds-That all our
important routes of travel are to be traversed
| by rail roads, cannot be questioned. And that
this change in our INSTRUMENTATION will
produce a corresponding one in the habits and
circumstances of the community, can no more
be doubted. This influence is to be felt in
things of comparatively little importance, IA
well as in things more essential. The per-
sonal habits of men who travel much on rail
roads are TO be effected as are, also, their
habits of doing business. Habits of general
promptness and despatch will be encouraged;
for people who are compelled to be prompt to
minute, in order to avail themselves of the
convenience Of rail road locomotion, may rea-
sonably be expected to become equally prompt
in other engagements Energy, activity, and
enterprise, cannot fail to be encouraged by
the operations of our various rail road compa-
MES; for community who have daily oppor-
tunity to witness the wonders which have
been wrought by these enterprises, will be
impossible. 1t may, perhaps, be said that the
New England character has quite enough Of
this go-aheadativeness already. And It
is no doubt true that this is a prevailing ele-
ment among our prominent business men but
in the masses there no superabundance Of
this energy, activity and enterprise, so essen
tai to success in all great and good underta-
kings And it is the effect of rail roads on
the community at large, of which we partcuA
larry speak. Wherever rail roads go, howeV-
er remote from the busy haunts of commerce
and trade, they are making up the mind OF the
people; they are infusng new life and vigor
into the masses. Men are more wide awake
on all subjects. Their conversation and their
very looks seem to show this.
Z" man has but 10 go to some remote part
of New England into which the iron horse has
found his way within few years, to see and
feel what we say is true. Let one go into the
interior of New Hampshire or Vermont, and
he will find men-and common sort of men,
too, as the world calls them-who are earnest
to talk about rail roads, and are intelligent in
respect to all matters pertaining to these en-
terprises; and, on inquiry, it will be found
that multtudes of them are stockholders In
rail roads, too. This will be found true Of
men who might be judged, on first sight, as
too poor 10 own any other stock than yoke
of steers, a couple OF COWS, and few sheep.
But so it is; we have found among the most
secluded valleys, and on the most rugged hill
sides of our interior country, illustrations of
this remark Now, wake up a man on one
such subject, and you can give an impetus 10
his mind on all kindred subjects.
Then, again, the influence Of 'raIl roads in
consolidating and amalgamating the New
r, x,.orfh Pail
roads are exerting mighty influence IN bring
ING the most distant parts of the country into
close proximity. They are making all men
neighhors They are rendering. those who
are widely separated, familiar with each 9TH
or and making accessible all that is valuable
in remote parts of the country. Whatever of
undesirable pecu!iartv may exist in one sec
ton OF the country may thus be rectifed; and
whatever is excellent and desirable, has an
; onportunity of being disseminated. Knowl-
e5dne thus literally runs to and fro; and sec
t;nn.l ignorance, as well as sectional peculi-
arites, will thus be broken up and men will
bc ma je To think and feel more alike, because
! their means OF knowing and Judging VIII be
more nearly the same
The tendency Of rail roads is 10 equallze
the condition OF the community It's OF little
comparative importance 10 one who lives on
the line of d rail road, whether he be i've OF a
hundred miles from the head quarters OF mel
ligence or traffic. A few minutes OF ie"
hours Will convey to him nforrnstlon' or bring
him or his articles of traffic 10 the great cen
. tres The farmers produce need not lie worth
less, or depreciate in his hands, tor the want
D of Convenient access to the market Summer
! and winter are the same If he has ought to
J., eli ? few hours will take him to the best
: market and at the best time for his interest,
Thus. articles which in the interior OF the
country have heretofore been almost worth
less, are now valuable, inasmuch as they cam
with the utmost ease and rapidly: be trans
ported. And the whole interior OF I'VE" Eng
land is feeling these advantages.
1--WE might easily extend these remarks ark On
the general Influence of rail roads But we
have said enough 10 open the subject Tor con.
s;deration, and that is all intended to DO at
t this time" ~
e Captain Philip Kearney. who had DIS s i .st
arm shot off 10 the recent battles, IS one OF lne
most enthusiastic soldiers. He raised coInl
pany Of cavalry, in doing which ne
of his own private means, over three lhouSa1;u an.
dollars and marched them to Mexico; rns
i men and his horses were plcKea-lhe 'oi"'''
/ lat