Washington telegraph., 1851-12-17

u rarely or ever happens, that such work
are borne on by an unwavering com
mon sentiment, to their consumma
ton.
"I'he first steps aae easy," is not III,
1"le mere, IN this. our pioneer effort
"Ihe originality of bold conception
strikes all minds-the grand results are
pictured to delighted and believing eyes
enthusiasm is aroused-strong and san
guine spirits begin to work, and for ;
while all goes on bravely and hopefully
but as excitement dies, the first vision
grows dim, and moves away into the dis
tant and doubtful future-ima ginary diff
culties oppose each step of progress the
mountain barriers alone are seen--the
world forgets the project ano is otherwise
engaged
We believe the results will grow oul
OF these comparisons and illustrations
some OF which are forcible indeed, and
we trust Will have a beneficial effect
upon the minds of men, in bringing them
to think seriously upon the effect of the
great questions here presented for their
consideration, and that, ere another year
rolls around, every voter will become i'm
bued heart and soul with these truths,
and come out manfully, as every true
hearted freeman who loves his country,
should do, for the great Internal Improve
ment cause. which now, for the first time,
in Arkansas, gives impulse to the minds
of her citizens.
1t is now % years since the first loco
motive was put in motion in the western
hemisphere, and % since the opening of
the first railway in the United States
40 since the first steamboat appeared on
the Ohio and Mississippi pirivers-32 since
the first steamship crossed the Atlantic
and Ii since the Great Western came
into the harbor of New York-demon-
strating the entire practicablity of navi-
eating the ocean by steam-an epoch in
the commerce of the world, creating
another bond of union between nations
What is, and ever must be, this inAu-
ence over the different States and sec
tioas of this republic, growing mp in entire
freedom-equally important to every sec
tion-a commerce which knows no north,
no south, no east, no west, but only a
great people. one and 5ndlU1Sible
Then how vastly important it is for
the future prosperity Of Arkansas, that
she should connect by lines OF cheap and
speedy intercommunication with her
sister States, and thus unite the inter ests
of all. and concentrate the public senti-
ment of our citizens, and eradicate from
their minds, every selfish and sectional
propensity. making US prosperous and
happy people.
1t acG live TO behold the centannial an
niversary of the battle of Bunker Hill,
there will probably be an hourly train Of
railroad cars between New York, Boston
and Philadelphia-a daily line TO San
Francsco--a daily line of steam packets
to Liverpool, and anotherto Havana.
Two years more viii bring Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore,
Charleston and Savannah, within less
than so hours of St. Louis and Memphis:
and ere 10 wears expires. It. Louis will
be within i days of San Francisco. A
line Of steamers can then reach China in
II days more, bringing London within
30 days of Canton.
Massachusetts has 1900 miles of rail-
way-32 cities and towns which have
each 5000 inhabitants and upwards One
or more of these railways pass through,
or terminate in, each one, except Nan
tucket. Also SO towns of a population
varying from 1000 to 5000, of which Is
are situated on some one of said railroads,
having the benefit of two or more daily
trains to Boston. The population of the
smaller class of towns, have the oppor-
tunily of railroad accommodation, in
nearly the same proportion.
The number of passengers arriving and depart
ing from Boston, daily, by railroad, is $4,000, and
by other conveyances 5000; making a grand
total of $4,000 passengers, arriving and departing
daily from that city,
1t is difficult to realize that these marvellous i'm
pTovements and changes have been produced with
in the life time of many of those whom we now
have the honor to address.
The progress of a free people in the varied pur-
suits of improvement, which promote the public
welfare, and elevate the condition of society," is
one of the most pleasing subjects Of contempla-
ton which can be presented to patriotic mind.
In 1880 there was bur l3 miles Of abroad in the
United States-we now have ! RECONSTRUCTED
at cost of about SO 10000 900 The population
Of the United States and Europe, have completed
within the past 25 years 27 000 miles of railway,
greater length than would surround the globe at
cost OF s., 500 900 U00 dra wing from the annual
savings of human industry, 500, ,000, 900, for 25
successive years: 5000 miles being in the west
ern hemisphere, and $4,000 in the eastern hems-
pher..
Massachusetts has mile Of railway to each Z
square miles of geographical surface. New York
10 each % New Jersey 10 each %, Maryland to
oh md - =
The total number of railroads n the United States
is 3I5.
The average speed Of our express trains is 80
miles, and of our accommodation trains 81 miles to
the hour. including stops. The fare of passengers
from New York to Dunkirk, by the Erie Railroad,
467 miles, is $8-less than cents per mile; and
from Albany to Buffalo, Sc 60, nearly : cents