The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1851-12-10
CONGRESS AND RAIL ROAD DONATION.


Congress is now in session. This will be
lengthy and important one. The foreign and
domestic policy of The Government, will be care
fully scrutinzcd and passed spon by the pco-
pies representatives.. Proper and necessary le-
gslation for the encouragement of Western
emigration, and for facilitating the sale Of the
public lands, will most likely command a due
share of attention from this body. The West
comparatively feeble in artificial means for de-
yelopinc the vast natural resources of the coun
try will look forward with pride, and hope for
some aid from The Government The people of
this State especially, feel as though they pos
sesscd some claim upon its attention and favor.
And to this end, vigorous effort will be cxpcc-
ted from their Congressional delegation, in fur
therance of the general interests Of the State,
and especially in endeavoring 10 procure dona-
ton of lands for its contemplated railroads.
Every confidence is entertained that they viii
not fail to use their utmost cxertons to cncoIr-
pass an object, which has perhaps claimed lar
ger share of public attention for the last five
years, and which every portion of the State, ane
every class of the community, are more deeply
interested, in than any other one question, which
has ever absorbed the attention of our people
We cordially and fcrvcntly believe, TINT conf
dcacc is not misplaced, and we believe the pres
cnt session will not be very far advan
ced before this fact will be established &c
the entire satisfaction of the people And We
sincerely hope their efforts may be attended with
complete success; and although no prophet, mol
the son of prophet, we have every confidence
to suppose they will. If talent, skill, energy, 4
due appreciation of the importance of the sub
jcct and perfect knowledge of how TO presen
it, together with scrupulous fidelity, will accom-
plish it, we have no fears for the result
The importance of this enterprise to the State
has been dwelt upon so often through the col
umns of cur paper, that we almost foela though
if the subject has not been exhausted, tho
patience of the people has.
But, as it has been well said, that, "cterna
vigilance is the price of liberty, it may, viii
equal propriety and truth, be said, that uninter
ruptcd agitation and perseverance will finally
accomplish the object we are in pursuit of Tho
press is one of the most active mediums trough
which such agitation can be keptalive. AS one
connected with it, we are determined no jus
ground of complaint shall exist against us. Ant
in arriving at this determination, it is a pleasure
to realize, that we are in the strict line of duty
This subject has been before our people for many
years, yet are there not those among us, who dc
not seem to realize the vast importance Of tho
subject, or absorbed in the general idea of new
Improvement, fail to discover many of the i'm
portant advantages which it must be to theState
Not only are these roads, if built, to connect u
closely and intimately with the markets of thu
East and South, affording certain, rapid ane
cheap transit to market, avoiding the dangers
delays and oftentmes exorbitant rates of charge
occasioned by the precarious navigation of the
Mississippi, but if proper legislative economy
is adopted in giving form and character to them
a revenue to the State may be realized, amply
sufIicien, to defray all of its expenses. 1t vii
be no longer necessary then, to keep our pro
duce shut up in stnrchouscs, or granares, wait
ing the opening of navigation, when perhaps the
best opportunities for disposing of it, at rcmu
nerat'ng prices, have passed While the pro
duce of our farmers for many years II 5 beer
forced to submit TO these ruinous delays, and the
exorbitant rates of freight, have restricted tn,
prices to mere compensation for the labor o
producing, il is proper subject for public re
ocing, that we are very shortly to be conncc
ted by railroad, with New York and Boston
from this point, and our sister city, Davenport
and that we have flattering prospect of a dona
ton of public lands for extending these improve
ments through the heart of our rich agriculture
and mineral State. This accomplished and
new era will dawn upon us. Additional CAPT
tai and labor will find speedy and permanent
location among us. New fields of enterprise ane
wealth VIII open to our people. lively impetu:
will be given to all classes of trade and bust
ness And general state of prosperity an,
happiness will be the natural result.
Aside from the business which these road
would command in sighting the agricultural pre-
auctions of the State and the lead of our own i'm
mediate vicinity, an immense business would bt
carried on, in freighting the pine lumber of the
North, and the coal of the Dcs Moincs-both in
exhaustibe for centuries to come.
A most glorious future is in store for the PEG
pie Of this State, and it would be VOL, if those
who are sacrificing property, to raise means t.
90 to California, and others who are dspo ,ne
of improved property at low rates, would Civ.
this subject little reflection.