Indiana State sentinel., 1848-05-25
For the Indiana State Sentinel.
Lafayette and indianapolis Railroad.
nv, .r,o~s To Trr ruprv o,r,rs
No. III.

No Ill.
RELATIONS TO THE THREE CITIES.
IF the Madison and Indianapolis railroad were des
tined to terminate OF this latter city, without
tension, il would confer upon the city all the advsn
agcs enjoyed by either of tie county seats which lies
at the extremity Of branch and no more. Suppose,
for example, the construction extended TO Shelby
vile, placing that town favorable position, in
relation TO the southern market and its own sgricul
tursl region Indiana polls in relation to her
co. now on the III. 81 l. railroad to the point of juno
tion of the two sections, one leading TO Shelbyve
and the other to Indianapolis, and you may reason
ably ask which is the main road and which the branch
you might, above Pittsburgh. put like question
respecting the two streams which combine 10 form
the Ohio.
The vigorous increase Of such towns as Worcester
and Springfield in Massachusetts,, which not ter
mini of any road but merely located at the inter-
section Of different channels Of communication and
transit-are, Of themselveA sufficient to evince the
practical principles which govern this subject.
mere country seat enjoying cheap and easy commu-
nication with some great market viii flourish well on
the trade of the region Of which il is the natural
centre, if that region is rich and popuous. Its mer-
chants will gather in the rich products of the soil and
give in exchange the groceries, manufactures and
uxurles which they have collected from abroad But
the growth of the place has the same limit as the
gntude and extent of the interests it subserves,
and of the region for which it transacts. Whenever
this is limited to the reach and performance OF CON-
progress
But in large town or city great variety of inte
rests congregae and conspre, looking TO the local IN
vestment of capital and making the town itself a
source of vast production. If water power is pres
ent or obtainohle. that is improved If not, steam
mills and factories rise every side. Articles OF
furniture, Of clothing, of convenience, of use and OF
luxury, turned out in quantities hundred fold
greater than the local region would of itself consume
furnish the staples for and these are widely dis
e Ia
is no mystery that masses of men engaged in these
transactions, or in the branches Of business incden
tai TO consequent upon them, choose to settle IN
towns where they have ready access to great re-
gion on every side, as TO supply TO considerable
extent, the very county seats themselves, and become
their market.
Men of business have settled it that they choose 10
live in public and not in any retirement, whether pat
tial or complete. If some great channel Of transit
still more, If different channels crossing one ano
ther pour, through town, stream OF travel and
freight, although the may 60 by, yet they know
that the fraction which lodges is times what the
whole would bo without the passage OF the stream.
1t is like water power at the falls of the Ohio,
where the nous of liquid will flow in Its own chan
mel without touching wheel, but the fraction that
shall be mechanically employed will vastly transcend
the limited brooks and creeks that give power 10
dinary mills.
Besides all this, the reputation of city-the fav-
orabe knowledge which men at large have of it-are
no less important an element Of prosperity, than
the in the case Of an individual. In the in
stance of such city Indiana is,-the metropolis
of State-attractye by Its ornamental grounds aud
archecture,-dgnified with humane and benevolent
institutions and supplied with capital and enterprise,
there is every thing in its external aspect as well
as its intrinsic character to invite population of the
most profitable description Shall the knowledge Of
these things be committed 10 the common school ge-
ographies the accounts Of come curious traveller
some occasional letter writer for the newspapers
or shall they be witnessed by fifty thousand people
year, they pass along, sop,-o be, by them, en-
quired into, reflected epon and thus made made mat
ters of general conversation and notoriety. The
stream Of emigration from the old States receives
deerminae direction at its fountain heads derived
from some general knowledge which men have picked
up, near their own homes, concerning the States,
places and towns they come out to examine, with
view TO settlement.
All the interests, then, which indianapolis may
have beyond the ambition and the destiny of mere
county town, concerned In the execution OF these
works which will give variety and extension to the
pursuits of her citzens expand the area of her bus
ness out of her local region, accumulate manufacture
ing capital and mechanic enterprise, and give rse,
throughout the country to just appreciation of her
real advantages and attractions. To Madison and
Lafayette the same considerations apply, in modi-
fed degree, together with some which are peculiar
The point which all this tends easy and Obvious.
III the certainty and variety OF nese interests are under-
stood and explicitly admitted (and how men doubt
that since there ,Ui be railroads all about them they
had better them at their localities,) it
cannot be supposed that individuals of substance, or
even of moderate means, will be sluggish to supply,
according to their means, the subscriptions and the
nstalments for the speedy commencement and the
pid execution of any work which so affects their
prosperity this to which observations peculiarly
apply. What Lafayette will add to her present sub
scripton is be known, and, trust favora
bly, known If north of Indianapolis, the subscription
shall amount to $3.50 000 is there dsbelieve
that. at Indianapolis and Madison, and places be-
tween, fifth part of the same, $4,000, can be
taken up! If it can, way is clear to put in the
shovel at Indianapolis in short order, and prepare,
after about years. to send off to the north, from
that metropolis the first train with freight and passen-
gers that shall move upon the road.
But whence to be supplied, for this purpose,
with engines, and other equipments since the
$500, 600, with the stock assumed by contractors,
will barely suffice prepare the road for reception of
the train! This important question is reserved for
my next. A. c. 7.
May 20th, 1646.
THE KNIcKERBocKER FOR MAY, a rich number is
placed on cur table by 7. Wiley, Jr 20 State street.
Besides the racy medley of the Editors Table. and