Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-11-29
From The So Louis Republican.
Address Of the National Railroad Con
venff0ta. Assembled AT st. Louis.

To the People Of the Uaited STATES:
The Convention Of Delegates from fourteen States OF
the Union which assembled ST. Louis the 10th day
Octuber last being unan .ousy favorable To the
slrucuon Of Central National Railroad from the Mssis
spp river the waters Of the Pacific Ocean, authorized
The undersigned members Of committee appointed or
the purpose address the people OF the United States
and urge their cooperation in procuring such action ON
the part OF Congress be necessary to carry out the
views of The Cnnventio
We bespeak therefore, for the voice Of the Convention
National audience. We ask, for their proceedings, the
serious consideration of the whole country The subject
addresses itself the whole people, elevated above
partes above sectional divisions and personal attach
ments, and in country IN government and IN des
n.y. The spirit of Columbus, after the search OF GEN.
turtles points "the strait, which brings Europe
and Americs in direct communication with ASA, by the
Western route through The heart OF North America, and
invokes TO avail ourselves OF IFS uusPedkabie ad-
yantages.
The great and Leading idea which the Convention
gave cordial and unanimous assent that Central
National Railroad from the Mississippi river to the waters
Of the Pacific is Of eminent and over-rulng necessity
a necessity arising from recent events, coHelave win
duty sustain country IN It's mission oil freedom
and and its material progress and OF Peserv-
ing union Of States whose extension from ocean to
practicable only hroug the achievements OF mod
science, which US OF easy intercourse with all
its parts, however remote.
Bu The convention did not undertake dictate to the
country the plan the route to be adopted. Nor did
they into the questions of constitutional power or
attempt demonstrate the prospects oil through freight
and travel the probable value and increase OF way
patronage affect to know than already IN pos
of the Government regard 10 the great coal
fields and other mineral deposits oil the western pains
and of the Mountains the other qualities Of the
Central region they relate TO the question o economy
and practicabiliiy the construction OF the road SANS
practicable Tor consruc-
lion and operation referring the adaptations or the sur
ftce well accessibility OF fuel and water, and
practicable in respect to the patronage which Will support
railway especially connected with The interest OF the
Government as land proprietor, and with the political,
military and social which justify i-a doubts
and questions waived in the expression OF the EN-.
hats haiti 81 he NJ "a
construct the road.
The public mind is evidently prepared for the consum-
nation Of this great measure The numerous Conven-
lions which have assembled in various parts OF the coun
try the expressions of than half OF the State Leg
satures and of many other respectable bodies Indicate
the readiness and decsveness of the general will TO
make these indications complete and IndisPuabe,
il is only necessary awaken our counymen TO sense
of the glorious responsibility that is resting upon their
age and generaon and to give them opportunity TO nd
cate their claims intelligence and patriotism, by sub
hitting them the alternative of approval or rejection
Clear is that, however men, according to their know
ledge have favored condemned particular routes
or specific ermni-though they may have differed in re-
gard the mode of construction however conflicting may
have been mems interests, and Though remote from each
other and variant in character have been The assem-
blages of the people, all have united swell with one
universal reclamation in favor Of central
Onal railroad The continent And they have made
still further progress IN the general union They have
ntimated but opinion the auspices and auhnri
~ under which he road should be built They have
referred unanimously The federal government. And
siced speedily aud that the preliminary steps for that
purpose should be taken Immediately.
The establishment Of line of military posts from The
western confines of the Western States the Pacific
Ocean, in all proper places, far distant from each
other, deemed by the Convention important pre-
limnary step the preparation of the railway. These
posts although they need be permanent garrsons,
yet would mantsn peace among the ahorglnes
would lay and open military roads, assist in the
Tim and protection of the electric telegraph offer present
guide and refuge to the emgran and give aid and
ly To the various parties OF engineers which may be
sent out by the government TO locate the best route for
The railroad, white settlers, by liberal policy exercised
toward them might be induced cluster rapidly in the
neghborhood OF the posts, by their numbers
aud strength supercedng the necessity of the military
There seemed be argument in favor of establishing
line of posts along the Mexican frontier the South
that would not be good in behalf of similar line along
The British frontier of the North. The Convention,
therefore, contemplated only such line would lead d.
reciIy through the heart of Western territories
the which seemed TO indicate and
mercal and political convenience seemed TO require
the most suitable location of national Railroad.
And the Convention, not fearing physical difficulties
much those which might be interposed by political
and sectional eeings-ooking to the fact that Northern
route from the lakes 10 Oregon, and Southern route
through Texas to San Diego, each strongly urged
npon the public consideration, and well oysng the
fatal dangers of the delay which the threatened disputes
would be involve. indicated Central rnute be-
tween these two extremes for the main stem, with
branches the Northern, the Middle, and TO the
Southern States This offer to propitaie the claims of
nationality will il is hoped, be satisfactory to the
sections seemed TO be to their respective rep
resentatves in the Convention Ii is that fraternal spirit
of concession and compromise which Government
itself founded and has been safely conducted through
many porenous storms, which the Convention consult
ed and TO which the country look for speedy
luton Of all the difficulties which sectional se6shness
will nterpose against the construction OF the road Sec
uonal Jealousy without paotism like avarice without
beneyOence, sinks 10 vice that "o be hated needs but
TO be SEEM and in relation this great measure whose
influence and whose benefits will be co-extensve with
the Union cannot be tolerated. and we trust will not be
seen.
EIevaing ourselves above the prejudces of party
passions Of PERSONS the iealouses Of sections let pro-
coed TO The execution OF this work with the sngeness OF
purpose which distinguishes patriotism. Let
hbit to the world people united and busy in securing
the foundations of unprecedented grandeur, and
scous of destiny which il vain oppose and which
IS every day more and more unfolding itself the
amazement of contemporary nations IL needs but the
hat Of the people, and the application OF The and
authority of their government to consummate the
tsr-Pece of powerful and patriotic nation. For SUCH
saving the Constitution, would il truly be. No nation
has executed work of superior importance TO the
Rsss 81 the hTmnR hs Aepan Way the
ures and exhauslng at time the Roman treasury,
aud which FIVE days consumed in travelling from
Rnme to CaPa1. bears no comparison with it. That
pointed to Asia Minor, which Rome absorbed This to
Asia itself, and to the Indies looking the
OF three fourths of the population of the world, and
passing through the heart of continent. The temples
Of the ancient cities the pyramids OF Egypt the wall of
Chna the great road of the Incss
ulenis of pride and power compared with the impor-
lance of the Continental Railroad Of North Amer-
ca The mind of man cannot conceive all its and
unlimited consequences. Let the work be finished and
then The trident Of the would gradually fall from the
hands OF England the question of a northwest passage
would cease TO vex the world but as matter OF mere
eurosy long and dangerous ,oyages around the Capes
wOGd be lesseBed should longer be subject TO
PASS through foreign territory in going from part of
our domain To another; time would be saved distance
EnuihIlated, resources discovered, new markets
opened. bell Of civilization end cultivation extended
thu eonnsnt improving the public Iands and