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

INV NtdChCa pcinl, Ds1onl winch, ~
would appear, we can scarcely advance,
provided there is to be any limit to hui
man progress in Science and in Art
We traverse rivers and oceans in float
ing palaces, surrounded with all the lux
uries Of life. We climb mountains and
skim over valleys at the rate of forty
miles an. hour, whilst we are reclining
on cushioned seats, engaged in reading,
or in social conversation. We have
chained the lightning, and made it q
faithful messenger of business or OF
pleasure. We have annihilated Tine and
space, and converse with our friends Q
thousand miles distant, in few seconds
of time. We impSison the rays of the
sun, and compel them to take portraits,
or to portray lhniscapes. @ We light
our cities with gasses extract.
ed from the bowels Of the earth, whilst
the web of the silk worm is fashioned
by machinery into beautiful raiment &c
adorn our persons. If we have moi
taught the blind to see, and the dumb tc
speak, we have at least illuminated theiI
fd2skea22 understandings With .ha yzys
of religion, truth and Knowledge. We
cross trackless oceans, with as perfect a
knowledge Of courses and distances, as
If we were upon some well beaten high
way. We amputaie limbs, and perform
the most terrible surgical operations,
whilst the patient is lrxuriating in a
pleasant dream. We have ascertained
with perfect precision, the almost inf
mite distance to the Sun, the Moon and
the stars, whiisbwe. can define, with UNI
erring certainty, the courses Of the plan.
eta, as they sing the praises of the Crea-
tor. Lately il has been announced, that
henceforth we are TO sublue terrific con-
fiagrations, with little vapor, which
may almost be carried in your trunk
/ nese are but few, avery few OF the
trlumphs Of science and art; and vet
the, willssuffice to remind You, of The
immense progress the human mind has
made, in the march of improvement. q
~ Amongst the various inventions o.
the last hale century, there are few, if
any, which are destined TO exert a more
potent influence upon the physical con-
dltlon OF man, and perhaps | may also
add, on his intellectual and moral nature.
than such enterprises as that whose com
mencement we are this day to commence
rate. The rise and progress Of railroad
enterprise, will hereafter form one of
the most intensely interesting chapters
IN the history of physical science. The
invention OF the railroad has marked a
new era in the social condition of the
world, and will exert an influence upon
Its trade, Inferior only to that OF the APP
plicatlon Of steam to navigation. In
many respects, | think the results will
be even more important, than those
which have ensued from the application
% Ste'li'i 10 the propulsion of vessels
Whilst the steamboat is necessarily con-
hned to the courses of rivers and lakes,
and can only dispense its blessings upon
sthelr margins, the steam car is sent
wherever the demands Of commerce re-
lquire it. 1t is confined to no particular
locality, and undeterred by even the most
formidable obstacles. Ii runs over and
under mountains, crosses rivers, glides
along the Drinks Of precipices, is stayed
IN It's course by neither winds or waves,
and yet is as submissive to the will of
man as well trained spaniel. With its
shrill whistle it startles the dehizens of
populous cities, or frighiens the wolf
from his lair in the depths of the forest.
IL breaks down the apparently impassa-
bic barriers of nature, almost annihilates
distances, and brings remote regions into
close juxtaposition. Il stimulates Industry
IN thousand forms, encourages trade in
all its ramifcations, gives life and viOgr
TO commercial enterprise, builds up cit
les with magic power, and peoples the
wilderness with incredible rapidity.-I
But am anticipating my subject, and
am presenting in general terms, results
which deserve to be illustrated in detail.
Let us examine, therefore, with more
mlnuteness by what process railroads
achieve these astonishing results. The
projectors Of the Hannibal and st. Jo-
seph Railroad, have embarked with com. |
mendable zeal in great enterprise, in
volvlng heavy expenditure of'money. |
and 1t becomes us to examine at the
commencement of the work. into the
wisdom of their conduct. Let us en- /
CURE for moment whether they are
likely to realize advantages commensn-
rate with the expense OF the enterprise.
or whether they are bestowing their time,
aSGr am. money upon fruitless under
.aking. In the latter event, they had
better abandon it at once; but if the
ruth of the first proposition can be DEM
they will have ths strongest
possible motive to prosecute the work
With renewed energy and zeal. For
nyself, do not entertain doubt that [
his road is destined TO confer benefit ,
lpon the country which it traverses {
ar exceeding the most sanguine hopes of '
Is proisctOrs. In the first place, it will /
'e built at a very moderate expense, n
ompared with the cost of similar en- er- n
rises elsewhere, In the second place, S
VIII traverse country of unexam- r
led fertility, capable of sustaining in a
omfort as dense a population as any a
ortion of the globe. Tnis road will note !
My double, but, in a very few wears,
'ill quadruple the population within the d
ange OF ITS influence. 1t will attract TO f
ur beautiful prairies multitudes of i'm
Migrants, who otherwise would seek
ther homes more convenient to market, Il