Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-08
Peru Railroad.

Ex-Governor Wallace, in his address at the open
ing of the Peru and Indianapolis Railroad Mobiles
ve after speaking of the certainty of the completion
of the road proceeds thus:
sBut there is still another question beyond all this
very proper be inquired and that whether the
road, when completed, will be proftable-nst the
country at large, r that rs admitted but 10 the stock
holders In other words will it probably, the capi-
tai requisite be employed in its construction, pay
sufficient premium to induce justify the citizens along
it, others, invest their surplus in itl On this
point ask attentive hearing In the first place this
road connects the Wabash and Erie canal the NORTH
with the Madison indianapolis and Beelontane rail-
roads in the south; perces portion Of the State,
which, for fertility, is surpassed by other At In
danapos, il you desire to 90 to Louisville farther
SOUTH take there the railroad to Madison-f Gin
cinnati, the same-f East, the Bellefontane And on
the other hand person travelling from South 10 North
would from the position Of this road he compelled TO
take it, because he certainly could think Of going
far south Terre Haute Lafayette in order to
reach either the counties of Cass Mam Fulton, Mar
shall Laporte ST Joseph, Elkhart Lagrange, Steuben
De kalb Allen, Noble, Koscusko, Whitley, Hunting
ton glance the map of the State establishes this
fact beyond the possibility Of cav for the terminus of
tins road you will Observe points nearly TO the centre
of the territory embraced by all these counties The
consequence. therefore, must be that this road when
Finished will draw to il the great travelling community
from North 10 South and from South North and if the
travel why the trade too2 Now let me NOT be told
that this item Of trade will be tne; for rest as
sured that three such great commercial emporums as
new orleans, CINCINNATI, and Louisville. offer
advantages TO mercantile to be resisted they will
seek them water seeks its level and by that
route which combines the great, speed and economy
And will not tins road present them that very route7
Can any man, for example, tell me why sensible ira.
der north Of Peru, wond purchase his iron GRO
ceres and liquors in New York Boston. in prefer.
ence to Cincinnati, or Madison, Louisvie7 In Ell
Their Of the latter places he buy them as chem Of
good quality, and as advaniage ous terms as he
in the former and what him. an object Of nara
mount Importance, he can, If he desires it, have them
safely delivered at Peru in hirysx hours after the pur
chase paying less freight and Insurance. But let US
test this matter little closer. Let suppose the ex.
pertinent making-let any two merchants start from
feru at the same hour OF the same day by way
canal and lake, and railway to New York or Boston.
and the other by your road here to Cincinnati or Mad
son, Louisville and what will be the outcomea The
question IS no sooner asked than answered. He who
goes to Cincinnati, or Madison, Louisville by your
road reaches either place in thrtysix hours makes his
purchases, and, in thrtysix hours more finds himself
and goods safely delivered Peru and all this long be-
lore his rival has reached his place of destination or
made single purchase And what is still worse for
hlm long before he can, by possibility return with
bis stock the dealer in Cincinnati or Louisville will
have supplied the home demand, and be nearly ready
Tor second trip. Hence, boldly that You are
aborng quite as much il not MORE for the benefit of
Cincinnati, Madison and Louisville than for yourselves
or for your immediate country. For the moment YOU
complete this road you open to them dirict conmuni-
cation with the entire north You give them an oppor-
unity, with every advantage their side of success
fully competing with New York or Boston for the i'm
menSe thade oil that most ourlshng and populous
gion of Indiana. And than see YOU fail or sink
under the burthen of your undertaking, they ought
properly alive to their interest promptly step for
ward and lend you helping hand
The foregoing. however, is the only point Of view
in which the business Of this road may be Justly regard
ed for central Indiana also he its great tributary
The FACT for instance, that the transportation heavy
articles, from Peru east, be had as cheap, if not
cheaper than be had offered by any other rouie
will not, presume, be dened- We, therefore, OF the
centre, being distant only seveny-one miles from the
Wabash and Eric canal and nearer to than we are 10
Cincinnati or Madison. corn wheat flour. and pork
not shipped south in the winter will find their way over
this road to Peru. And rice versa the heavy articles
Of merchandise that be purchased bv merchants
in Boston New York. will. certainly, be shipped
directly to the point and from thence south to
their place Of destination; which let saw will con-
stitute no small item Of profit to this road"
sin proof this the Hon. Albert White informed
days that by the Wabash and Erie canal the Iron
lafayette and indianapolis railroad is be delivered
company, Lafayette for the same deliver New
Orleans.