Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-02-21
Rail Roads. &c.

in Illinois, will now be completed, in a
few years. seems TO be placed beyond a
doubt. And il is almost as certain that
the Peoria and Burlington road will be
in operation as soon. This will connect
the latter place, the year round, with the
South and East. At the same time she
is not indifferent, or idle, in laying out
trains 10 catch the immense trade OF
Southern and Middl, Iowa. Her Cit,
Council have decided upon taking vote
At The April election for and agains, ma
king loan of $4,000; $4,000 of it to
be invested in Plank Road leading in
to the back country, and $4,000 to assist
III building bridges across Skunk River
at Lowell and Rome. The latter is d..
rec,y on the road from Burlington TO
This place; and the Burlington papers say
it is intended to have the Plank Road up
This way, cross on il, ,
The Council have also decided upon
taking $4,000 Of the stock in the Peo-
ria Rail Road; and the Telegraph seems
sanguine that the citizens will take a,
least s225,000 more; making 100000
of the stock that will be taken in Bur-
lington, alone! -.r .-....
The Plank Road from Burlington to
Mt. Pleasant. is built to Middletown, and
will be completed in shor, time. Thus
il will be seen, that while Burlington is
AcrrNo-and acting promptly and ener.
getically, the people Of the "GATE" to
Iowa, with double the natural advanta-
ges, are TO all natural appearances in a
profound Rip Vanwinkle slumber. Thus
Keokuk, with all her unbounded natural
advantages, is in eminent, danger, les,
Burlington close the "ga,e" by opening
one above her, too large and permanent
fer her power to shut. While the rich,
unbounded products Of Southern Iowa
will flow through it, and away from the
lower "gate."
Many things have conspired to pro-
duce this turn IN favor of Burlington
The Illinois Legislature, rising above
and repudiating old, worn out dogmas,
opposed to Internal Improvements, spe-
cial grants, &C., and granting liberal
charters to several companies 10 cons!ruc,
Rail Roads-the two most prominen, of
which, the Central and Peoria and Bur.
lington, will be Of incalculable adyan.
tage TO the latter place.. l, is equally
true that while the liberal and enlighten-
ed Legislation of Illinois has helped her,
the iliberal and narrow spirit manifested
by the dominant party in our legislature
and by the Governor, has been of some
assistance to her interests. For, as j.
cripples and keeps back improvements
that would add much to the prosperity
and advancement Of her rivals, it of
course. gives her some advantage.
But, let us all, who wish to zee our
towns and villages become cities, bear in
mind that Burlington has gained her
present advantages by the sleepless Wig
lance, untiring perseverance, liberality
and enterprise of her business mem
They have projected grand schemes Of
improvement, which they, as well as 9TH
ers must see, if carried out will accom-
plish their grand design, viz: make Bur
lington the Emporium Of Southern Iowa,
and they are not content with projecting,
but with an iron resolution that will &C.
complish almost any undertaking, they
have resolved to complete them, and no
doubt will 60 it. Now we don't wish TO
see any jealousy existing between our
two principle cities in this part Of the
State. We are satisfied that it is for our
interes. in the interior, and from one ex-
tent of the great valley, or Republic TO
the other. to be in connection, by Rail-
roads, Plankroads, River Improvement,
&C., with both of these young, but
flourishirg cities. We wish to see them
both flourish. Hence we are anxious to
hold mp the example of Burlington, and
her future bright prospects. to arouse il
possible the citizens Of the ioWer Gate
to sense Of The importance Of being up
and doing before il is too late. for in
activity and neglect, to keep up with the
lightning speed Of this progressive age
is suicidal to the interests Of any com
munity, and certain death to the pros
perity, and growth Of any place.
III A letter. received from Col. WAR
rem, by last mail, states that the Hon
ID. F. MILLER, our worthy and active
Representative from this district, is again
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