Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-07-31
From the Palmyra Wing.
Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad.

MEssRs. EDIroRs The proposition for the
County OF Marion TO aid in the construction of
the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railway, is mani
fss,ly gaining Importance and interest in public
estimation, ~ the time for ito decision ap-
proaches.
When the measure was frs. proposed, in
common with most Of NY neighbors, ! felt but
little concern about it and consequently, came
to no definite conclusion as to what would prob.
ably result to the county from the adoption Of
this proposition. On various occasions, how.
ever. heard opinions from respectable sources,
both favorable and adverse to tho subscription.
and receiving some Of those opinions, as l did,
without care or consideration, for time felt
rather avsrse to the county's engaging in this
enterprise; not upon the grounds Of its 'un-
constituiionaiity," but simply from belief that
the sum proposed uas too large. l never did
believe in its "unconst.tutionality," (andif those
who did, are not by this time ashamed Of their
position, 'hey are, themselves, very happily
constituted. Bsing thus unfavorably impressed
with the coun,y's enlisting to such an extent,
in this scheme Of internal improvement, l lis
tened with more attention 10 the arguments Of
those avsrss to the subscription. And l read
with some avidity number Of communications
published in the different newspapers Of the
bounty, by several writers oppoiing the plan.
The futility and meagrens's Of those arguments
were so glaring and Aagran,, and the con'ids-
rstions upon which all their opposition was
based, were 90 narrow. minded and selfish, and
oontras.ed 50 unfavorably with the enlarged,
liberal and weighty reasons in favor Of the eh-
tsrpri'e, that ! was not long in changing my
purpose Of not voting at all, for determination
to give good hearty vote" for the measure
pfoposed. am opposed to no principle that !
conceive involved in this question. l thought
at first the amount suggested exorbitant; but
since It 10 proposed 10 reduce that amount. the
scheme mset' my hearty, concurrence. having
long since had il demonstrated to my mind that
Railroads are source Of almost incaloulable
advantage to every portion OF country 'hrougli
which they pass. do not design, therefore
Mr.. Editor, to trouble you with a discussion
.of the principles Of this mea'urs-this part ol
tho subject consider fully and fairly treated o
in the elaborate, parspicuous and enlightened
articles Of "Another Citzsh"-but propose
detailing some Of he bsne eical results thai
Railways confer upon portions Of the country
through which they pass. And IN thi. mattel
shall speak from actual observation alone.
II has been my privilege to visit most part
Of the United States, and have not been al
unmindful observer Of this branch Of intsrns
Improvement. And after passing over variou
rosds, in different parts Of ths Union, ] cal
safely aver, that have never known Rail
road 10 touch A any town or village, wha,evs
may have been its situation in relation 10 III
tsrmini Of tho road, or however closs to, o
remote II may have been for larger cities, with
out the Railroad comforting obvious advantage
upon suoh village or town. have been fam'l