Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-11-06


ton Of the country--as they create
wealth, foster commercial enterprise,
and encoureoe industry. But they ac-
complish even higher and nobler pir-
poses than these They are the pioneers
OF civilization, the friends Of education
and art, the auxilliaries of religion--ihe
great pacfiicators Of the world. AS
the railroad enters the forest, it carries
with it not only the plough and The loom
but the spelling-book and the bible
Il not only opens farms AID builds cities,
but il erec.s churches ana school-houses,
hospitals and almshouses. When it con-
veys TO market the Wheat and Tobacco
OF the farmer, it returns with the school
master and the minister. When it deliv-
ers to the merchant his boxes and bales,
il puts down also at his books and news
papers. As it conveys into the country
The shrewd spectators in flour or hemp,
in chickens and cheese, it carries out
also at his side the poor artist or the tim
Grant lecturer.
In this way it diffuses knowledge, es-
lablishes religion, encourages virtue, fos-
tsFs az. and science, promotes refine
ment, and tends in Thousand ways 10
: the highest civilization Of which mar is
capable. We may form some lust con-
9ception OF the extent of is influence in
these respectsaby recurring for a mo-
ment 70 the results Of a similar nature a.
chieved by steamboats,. Suppose that
steamboats, had never been invented,
what at this day would have been the
condition Of the Mississippi valley? |
speak not of its wealth, lis commerce,
nor IFS agriculture; but OF the moral and
intellectual condition Of its inhabitants /;
the extent Of its literature, the number
of IFS churches and school houses. Ii
needs not that | should furnish the an
swer. To send a railroad into the midst
.ofan ignorant population, is to unlock
their understanding and let in the light
OF truth and knowledge. II is literally
true that no country can have an igno-
rant or vicious population, if it is inter-
sected by numerous railroads. In my
opinion, they are 60 accomplish more
than all causes combined, towards diiTu-
sing morality 81 i religion, fostering sci
ence AMI art, and elevating mankind in
the scale Of civilization. These results
have been achieved by rail roads else
where, and they will most certainly be
achieved here.
We regret that we are here compelled
to break off 10 the midst 1t the address -
The author possessed but one copy. which
we were unable TO transcribe entire before
his departure from the city. The remain.
der will be published in our next -ED
At the close of the address, Hon WIN
NJ CpaKE, on the part of committee
read the following resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted:
Be it resolved by the meeting here assem-.
bied MS lollows:
!. That the construction of the H. mi.
bal ana St. Joseph Rallroai will ueveinpe
the resources OF Northern Missouri, invite
to our State a numerous ard vauabI. en-.
IgratIon from the older States and the con.
tnent OF Europe; turn INTO the channels
OF productive industry vast amount OF
la1'r now employed IN the business OF
transportation; ditfiIse more generally
throughout the interior of the State educG-
ton and the blessings Of social life, form
an important link in the chain Of cunnac-
ton between the Far East and the Far
West, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans:
idclIltate the intercourse between the va.
rloIs members OF our Federal Union. an,
tend to make friends and neighbors
those who now denOunce each other with
lntemperance and zeal in proportion L,
their ignorance Of each others institutions
manners and customs.
2 That the Hannibal and st Josepb
RalIrond is a work OF vast utility not only
TO the State OF Missouri, but TO the nation
at large, and that Congress has the power,
dnJ At is IFS duty To make liberal appru-
Priation OF land in aid of the enterprise.
D. That the large grant of lands by Con.
gress to n neighborIng State to aid in the
construction OF a Railroad, authorizes the
State OF Missouri to relv upon the Justice
and impartiality of the Federal Govern.
ment, Tor similar grant of lands to aid
10 the construction of the Hannibal and
81. Joseph, and in the st. Louis and Pa
enc Railroads., that the lands of the Uni.
ted States in the neigbborhood of the con-
-emPiated Missouri railroads will be en-.
laneed in value by the construction of
SAID roads quite as much as similar lands
ave been Or will be by the construction
d iSSiIrosasin any other State, and that
very reason which properly exists or has
'xisied To induce such grant OF land to
my nth"r State, exists IL regard 10 the
State of Missouri.
4. That the people of Northern Missouri
AVE subscribed literally to the stock Of
he Hannibal and ST. Joseph Railroad. and
ave expended large sums of money in
'FeParlhg Tor the construction OF said road,
ely!n1g confidently upon grant OF lands
ala IN the work; that they have expect. I,
o snch aid not only from the magnitude of
ne WORK, and its i'm portanSe To the west
nd to the nation at large, but because /
lnilar AID has been extended TO the State !
llllnois under similar circumstances, and !
ec2nse bill TO appropriate lands 10 aid 4
constructing the two great Missouri, a
ailroaos, has twice passed the Senate of h
e United Stu ties BY very large majorities, /
I'd, we are assu,- ed, you'd have passed r
e House OF Representa- ives. had it been b
ached on the calendar beiu.re the neces. II
ry adjournment OF Congress. looking 4
the past we have embarked in the 81. a
rprIze relying upon the assistance OF the 1
1neral Government, and we still lsel as. Il
red OF that assistance. m
n That NO ~ -