Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1850-12-12
From the Qni ICY Wing.
Quincy and Naili OF dA

pies, for the terminus OF Railroad con.
Meeting with the East. II Is a matter oil
surprise TO all too, knowing the agricultu.
ial wealth OF r county, that SO little feel.
ing Is manifested by our citizens on the
subject Of Railroads. All feel that unless
new channels OF commerce are opened to
our city, that ere long the time will arrive,
when II will have arrived at the climax
cts increase and prosperity, or so near il
nat 1t will puzzle her citizens TO tell wheth.
II is advancing--to use an lrishism-
edwards or forwards. We have urged
he importance OF these suggestions upon
our citizens repeatedly, but so far with liz.
lie effec,-a lethargy supineness-
upon our people difficult to account for,
Unless it is upon the supposition, that they
suppose our city finished up--complete
ity--and does not stand in need oil any
Il those elements Of progress, increase and
wealth, which other cities, of not half the
natural advantages are pre- ssiny into their
iervice and rcaping rich reward for their
foresight and enterprise.
The matter cannot be longer disguised
and II Is time our citizens understood the
position Of affairs, unles; we wake up and
o'SeS ~ cl'pci pioSCulCuS ~
hall way, at least. TO meet that spirit OF en-
terprise which seeks connection with us
by Railroads--the opportunity will soon be
lost,-enterprise and capital will, just SO
surely as that Railroads develop the resour.
ces OF country, 90 where il is more prop.
erly appreciated and tostered, and other
cities reap the advantages which we have
indiferently thrown away.
To show that we are not alone in this
opinion, we are permitted to look over Il
letter from WIN. p. WmirrLE, Ed, now
employ ed as Engineer in the La Sale and
Fox river Railroad, to hi, father in this
city. Mr.. w. it will be remembered, was
the principal Engineer on our road from
this city to the illinois and ia the report
OF his labors, made most convin ing ex.
position Of the advantages which would.
and must re,ult to our city AMI county, by
the completing of the Northern Cross Rail
Road. We take the following extract from
his letter:
"The road which have just surveyed is,
in every way, an important one. Cars are
now running from Aurora to Chicago, and
the building OF the titty.two and half miles
from here (4a Salle) to Aurora, will com.
plete the chain OF Rail Road communication
between the head OF steam.b boat navigation,
and the great Lakes, and the whole South.
ern travel, ami much of the traffic, now
going by Canal will inevitably be diverted
into this channel. The grant OF Land made
by the last Congress, secures, hey ond doubt,
the completion Of the Great Central Rail-
Road. which will connect here with the Aur.
l.,, La A
from here to Rock Island,-a Board OF Di.
rectors elected, reliable subscription of
three hundred thousand dollars, obtained in
this State, and great encouragement had
from the East; so that little doubt is en-.
tertained but that road will be built next
season. A survey is in progress for road
from st. Charles TO Rock Island. In fact,
the people throughout the country seem to
be awake to the importance OF creating
channels Of communication with the great
marts of the world, and are vieing with
each other for the first connection. In the
mean time what is Quincy doing? As |
learn-NoTHlNG. Do her citizens think
that her natural advantages are such that no
effort on their part is necessary to her i'm
provement? No one knows better, or is
buOlC lSuuy ~ uShuo"iCuCkC uCI
tages than |, but the day is past when Cit
les, in this State, can grow spontaneously,
Vr without a proper degree OF enterprise
and energetic action on the part OF the
people. Quincy has a powerful rival in
Hannibal, and should the road from that
place to st. Joseph's be built--as seems
prObable--and a connection made between
Naples and Hannibal, as may be done,
farewell, long farewell to all her great.
ness" Her people will then learn that in
building Cities, as in accommodating wealth,
fortune must be sought after, and won by
enterprise and perseverance,; and not by
sitting supinely in expectation that the
wheel will take u fortunate turn at last
The more reflect upon the subject, the
more fully convinced am l., that the build
ing Of Railroad from Quincy to Lii
Sale, rs recommended i, my report, wil
secure to your ci,y traffic that viii make
her one OF the most important points III
the West and was mucn gratiiied to find
that JOHN TiLIsoN Esq, win whom had
along talk upoA the subject, in Chicago, tut
ly conceded with me. And il can be done
il those interested will only move in the
matter. Money can be obtained at the
east for any enterprise OF The kind which
will pay liberal dvidends-and that roat
through such country as that would b,
good stock, no one can doubt PARTICULAR,
II the inhabitants show their own con
. fidence in the profit Of the work, by ma
king liberal subscriptions. The people a
long the line Of that road are as able to sub
scribe $5OO,OOO towards it as | an to bu,
. cigar; and with such a subscription