The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-25
WINDHAM, Conn August q, 1913.

The Yankees are enterprs:ng people, and in no
circumstances can they be placed where they are
unable 10 turn their condition to good account
Their propensity to come down like cat, ever
"right side up" Is recognised and appreciated
the world over. Nor was that man Il lunatc who
SAID that New England Yankee, chained down
to a rock, would manage, either BY hook or crook
to keep soul and body together.
This Yankee go-a-headitlveness is the life of
our glorious Union and though II not unire-
quenty shipwrecks Its Indlvual possessor, it sell
dom fails to rebound to the advantage of the pub
lie. The proposition IS illustrated by our railroad
system. There are In the United States some
thousands OF miles OF allroad in active operation;
one hundred various Ines connecting almost
every considerable city, town and village through
out the entire country. Yet of these hundred dit
ferent lines how few there are which have re-
sponded to the expectations of those who have
lavlshed their wealth uoon their construction
One would imagine that the capitalist who
watches the sales of stocks reported in the Hruld,
would hesitate long before investing hls money
in the visionary projects which are starting into
existence, like mushrooms, all around us.
Such, however, is not the fact With the know
ledge that 500 of railroad investment frequently
deprecates In few years, ten, twenty, forty, and
sometimes seventy per cent-wth the knowledge
that many existing lines declare no dividends, or
pay them with money borrowed for thai express
purpose, capitalists are stI relaxing their purse
strings, and embarking their means upon an I'M
known ocean Let us not be understood as OBJ
jecng to all this Success to the railroad system
1t Is the same to the body polite as the arterial
and veinous systems are to the body physical
and though 1t Is nursed by the riches OF the mo-
neyed aristocracy, such nursing is only generous
yet involuntary contribution which wealth pays to
the necessities of the community.
The borough of Wimantic, in this town, is
situated on river of the same name as the bo-
rough itself, possessing great facilities for manu-
featuring purposes, and surrounded by fertile and
enchanting country. 1t has already some six or
eight large mills In successful operation, and bids
far to become one of the most important villages
IN the State. Its central position and its great need
of better means OF transportation have attracted to
1T the attention OF railroad men, and 1t is just now
beginning to feel assured that it is soon to be
blessed with railroad facilities. No less than three
lnes-the famous L" air line" from New York to |
Boston, the Hartford and Providence. and the |
NewLondon, Wlllimantic and Springfield are laid |
ont directly through Wlllimantic ; and the last two
will certainly be built As for the "ar line !" or as
it is Familiarity styled here the 'salr-tlght, 1t is
project not destined soon to be consummated. |
The Connecticut river, at Middetown, is an insu-
perable obstacle to Its construction. A low bridge,
even with an eiehty-tive feet draw, would scarcely
permit the passage OF such stream as the noble |
Connecticut and 1t Is, In our opinion, hardly |
questionable whether the courts would permit
such bridge to stand in prejudice of the trade of
city like Hartford, especially when a suspension,
like that IN progress OF erection at niagara, or
ferry, as at Albany, would answer all the purposes
OF low bridge. There is little doubt that Md
OltioWH Has DttH lUuulRlng the luca OF KNllnO |
two birds with one stone-of connecting herself
with Boston and New York by railroad, and, at
the same time divertng a portion of the trade of
Hartford to her own wharves
BE this as 1t may, we fear the &c air line''
scheme Will prove an abortion for, beside the
difficulty of raising the necessary means of con-
struchon, even with the aid of all the arts of all
he kinds of humbuggery and knavery imaginable,
the obstinacy with which Hartford opposes the
project would knock the brains out of any scheme
having no better founded pretensions than the one
u. question. The cry of repeal which Hartford
still continues, would fix the fate of the "alr-
line" without aux ary aid. But when she applies
herself TO the work of building a rival road from
Connecticut rver to Provldence-thus supplying
to New York-she eflectuay extingushes that last
FAINT spark OF vitality which has kept the " air
line warm for the last year
The construction OF the Hartford and ProvI-
lance from Hartford to Willimantc, (some thirty
miles,) is all under contract, ana ground has been
broken at various points along the line. Work
men are also engaged upon the bridge at Hartford
and within fifteen months the road will be in full
operation to Willimantic. The extension to Pro-
violence will soon follow, and the business and
trade OF Eastern Connecticut will be diverted into
new channels.
The New London road, as far as Whmantic,
is also under contract, and the work progre ssng
actively all along the line. BY the terms of its
charter, the company is required to expend the
sum OF $500, 600 upon that part of the road between
New London and WIllImantic before the 18th of
June next ; and the work IS evidently affected by
the stimulus of the requirement. Whether the
road will ever be extended to meet the Western
road at Springfield or Palmer, is problem which
time alone can solve.
These two roads, when completed, will doubt
less be great accommodation to all this section
OF country. But whether they will accommodate
the rockets Of the stockholders is quite another
question They will most certa inly be relieved of
any nconvenlent surplus OF cash they may chance
to have by them, and may also get their con-
ouIpted N the Of doinU 10Th
for the public good. Further than this we deem
it matter CT sheer speculation to inquire, and
shall leave 1t to other hands. We may add, how
ever that the article in the Herald of the 18th inst
relative to the Norwich and Worcester road adj
monishes us not to invest our funds in undertakings
maryeousy kindred to the one which the said
article animadverted upon.
The Presidential campaign has, ut last, opened
ln.earnest. The several parties, with their several
leaders, have abandoned the camp and council
room, and taken to the open field Anticipation Is
conflict. We only know that the United States
will have a new President on the 18th of next
March, provided the second adventists suffer the
world to stand so long. The democrats, as party,
with the saving of a radical detection IN the En-
pire State, seem to be pretty well united and
1t not for the question of slavery in the new
territories, General Cass would get into the White
House. without difficulty. But the very arguments
against him IN the South. His success hangs of
upon anything) upon the maintenance of his neu-
trality. Should he wink at the South the North
Is lost. Should he smile upon the North, the
South will kick ont of the traces. :" No legisla-
ton for Territories" is the only battle cry which
can lead hun to victory in November.
AS for General Taylor, had the election come off
a year sooner, he, as candidate, would have
routed the enemy, horse, foo, and Dragons, I'm
fortunately for HIM, thousand influences, during
the last year, have Insiduously, yet certainly been
undermining that great personal popularity which
is his main dependence IN the struggle. Should
he fail n le ad the who's n regular Blena Y lsta
triumph, that party may thank their own folly and
madness for such a result Nous re,rons.
We make no preensons to the power of second
sight, or mesmerlc prcsclence yet we venture to
predict that Mr.. Van Buren, will be found, after
The 18th of November where the race course nags
that ran against Eclipse were found-pideliccf-