Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1849-03-03
I LANCASTER. WISCONSI.v.
s ATURDAY, MARCH 3, Is49.
Western Terminus of the Railroad.

freely on the subject. II may be supposed
that our preference would be for Potosi, our
natural point of access to the river, and the
place having with US the most intimate mu-
tual relation Of dependence. We are in the
circle of the trade of Potosi, reaching north
and west to the Wisconsin river. Even fthis
county were divided by line running east
and west on the northern boundary of the
township We are in, we should still remain
within the diminished circumference OF the
trade of Potosi, while the trade of the new
county north of US, ,couid naturally and IN
euitaJiy .fo,c into .Niiiville on The Wiscon-
san riUer In favor of Potosi, it may be ur-
ged, firstly, that it is the most central town
in Grant county for the river trade and
secondly, that il is the largest river town,
and contains far the most capital. 1t is ur-
ged against Potosi, that it has no harbor or
steamboat landing. Now we undertake to
say, that Potosi has, on the west side Of the
island, on the channel Of the Mississippi, as
good a landing place as can be found on the
river. The sooner that silly plan of at
tempting to lead the great Mississippi out
of its ancient bed, through slough at La
fayettc, is abandoned, the better. You might
rs well attempt to lead q wild elephant with
piece of wrapping Irvine. Commence n
railroad at the bluff in Lafayette, start an
cmbankmcnt out from that point across the
slough and the island, above high water, ex-
tending the rails along the embankment as
fast rs ii is made to transport materials for
embankment, and you will soon have a good
dry street, reaching to the river, on which
to build your stores and warehouses. This
is the true foundation for the commerce of
Potosi, 4 moderate expense will accom-
plish il ; and the buildings now made of
wood can be drawn TO the river-an easier
thing than to draw the Mississippi up hill to
Potosl; aud the town will no longer bc
vaiuly struggling to crawl up the bluff like
man trying to shoulder himself'-htching
up, higher and higher. like pair of dried
up buclxskin brooches. Again, we say, Po-
tosi can place herself on the river where
she belongs--and she piH do il; for folly and
seli-interest will not forever bc sufficient to
dwarf the growth of the town.
Now for Cassvile; Ii has a good land
ing, and an easy grade up TO the backbone
of the dividing ridge along which the rail-
road is contemplated. The chief objections
to Cassyllc, are, the want of titles to town
lots, and the want of central position On
the river Still, unless Potosi places herself
upon the river, we should say, with Mr..
BRIeas, that Cassvilc woul,i be the proper
terminus. The reasons set forth by MIR.
BRiGes in his report, against the termination
of the road opposite Dubuque, have much
force in them; but when we consider the
high destiny of Dubuque-its scope of trade
north aud west, in the northwest 10 the
Frozen Ocean, and in the west to the snowy
peaks of the Rocky Mountains, or where
tho streams fall westward down the golden
Pacific slope-when we consider this inn
monso area of trade TO centre at Dubuque,
thore seeking communication eastward by
railroad through Wisconsin, il is well to in
quire whether we should refuse thorough
fare to Dubuque. We say decidedly, no.
We say let the road be carried down the
dividing ridge TO Potosi or Cassville, and let
one trunk of the road also be carried TO
Dubuque, the trunks uniting near Wingville
in the northern part of our county. This
plan will harmonic conflicting interests,
and conduce to the greatest good of tlae
greatest number. So on the lakes, there
seems no reason for any conflict of interest.
Put the main trunk through to Milwaukee,
and let Southport, Shcboygan, Racine, in
terseot the road whenever they are able to
construct side trunk,
But the thing We first ask for, is main
trunk. And whether the road first construc-
ted through, shalt terminate at one or the
other Of the points named on the lake or on
the river. we deem rather immaterial. We
go for the road any how. The growth of
any particular town en- the river, or on the
LAKE, it hat graiu ia the balance when
weighed against the aggregate interests of
the people OF this wide State.
state Historical Society.
This infant Institution Is aiming a,
nothing less than 10 save from obliv-
ION the record and the transient evidence