The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1851-12-31


occasion.
Judge GREENE, amid loud calls, arose and re-
sponded as follows
MIR. President, and fellow citizens, came to
listen to the enterptising men who accomplished
this undertaking, and not to participate actively
the proceedings of this meeting. But let me
say that acGuicsce most heartily in the senti
lnents expressed on the subject of public i'm
provements, and will do so through life. have
looked upon this enterprise with solicitude. 1t
was an experiment. It's success involved con-
sequences o. a magnitude far beyond its locl
Importance. But the work has been completed, ,
and we now see what sparse population can
| do, (CheerS) You have accomplished more
proportionapy than the old States. We must
estimate the means in estimating results This
road has not been constructed by old and
wealthy Eastern counties, but by two young
counties of the Wes. Two counties in the East,
not larger or weather., would never have pro-
jected and carried through this work. But
with sparse and scattered population; with
means which at first seemed inadequate, you
have built twenty-six miles of plank road; are
extending it tuther out into the interior; and
oven designing more costly and difficult works
of improvement. You have illustrated the
capacities OF our people. We now see that
|
accomplish works Of this caracter. Your ex-
ample has prevent (Cheers.)
You have performed great work not only in
the increased business and greater prosperity OF
your own section, but in the example you have
set to the State. (Ch eers)
by these improvements you are adding to the
intellectual character of the State. All true
progress whether physical, moral, or intellec-
tual, Is connected and dependent The minds
of the people, who plan and execute i'm portant
physical mprovements,a are enlarged and expand
ed by th, undertaking, and afterwards by their
use and enjoyment when completed.
You have abridged the time of carrying on
the events of life. Distance has been shorten
ed. Time saved. These results are of an
lncalculable Importance. We live in thoughts,
not years-in deeds and not hours We should
count time by what we accomplish
Mr. PRESIDENT, every dollar expended in this
work will be beneficial and remunera,ing to the
people who have constructed It. have called
1t great work 1t is so. Joyous celebrations
were heid when the Erie Canal was completed
Ihat indeed was great event. But the means
and influences TO accomplish it were million
Told greater than here. Estimated )rrectly it
was no greater event ,hln this (Cheersl.
ielt, gentlemen, that we had reason to be proad
when passing over lhis road, to- day, at the rate
OF ten miles an hour. A glorious beginning has
been made, and pushing onW ard from tins want
age ground, we can carry Iowa to that emf
hence among the sister States of the Union,
which nature mas destined her to reach Gap
plause.)
When Judge Greene resumed his seat, Col
Hall, who had been appointed to deliver the ora
ton oil the day, was loudly called for, and
rising, requested the audience to permit him to
defer the Grafton until the evening session
see, SAID Col. Hall my friend Col Woods who
came to Iowa when the Indian trails were
plenty; and will call upon HIM to address the
meeting
The call was repeated by the audience, with
cries for "Old Timber" and Col. Woods arose
and said
MIR. President, and Ladies and gentlemen
1t Is more peculiarly my province to record the
opinions of the gentlemen who have preceded
m" rather than publicly express opinions of my
own. am more of scribe than an orator
But it is my pride to be one of the pioneers of
the beautiful State of Iowa; and may be allow
| ed on an occasion like this to congratulate you,
and feel proud Of the position to which we have
attained. [Applause.]
! came to Iowa when there were but few
scattered houses along the Mississippi river =
it were impossible then to have anticipated the
we, Ladies and gctlemcn, some sixteen years
ago, when there were but four or five hundred
inhabitants on the western bank Of the Missis-
siPpi, North Of Missouri, have expected to meet
at this period to celebrate the completion of
great public improvement, carried out by our
own citizens'
Burlington and Mt Pleasant hay grown UP
under my eye. can point to the fist log cabin
erected in Burlington. | attended the first court
held in Mt Pleasant 1t was II Id in little log
cabin beyond Tifany's When the county of
Louisa was organized, was present at the first
court held at Wapello, the county seat. The
Court House was small log cabin The Grand
Jury occupied gully Of the Iowa river. The
traverse jury occupied another gully. In one
case when the foremen the latter jury wished
to take their opinion as 10 the verdict he stepped
across the gully with jug Of whskey, and cried
out 'boys, all You that think as ! do come over
and take drink, Laughter.l The opinion of
the foreman prevailed. | am not disparaging
The pioneers, for l am pioneer myself; and
voted with that body against the first consti.u-
ton because it curtailed our limits wanted to
20 to the Missouri Oh the West. IApplause ]
recollect the first court held at Rochester in
Cedar county. In going to it my horse got fast
IN gully and was not extrcated until the next
day. Judge Williams will recolcct this
Judge Williams. Yes-it'sa fact, and you
lost your saddle bags. 0Laughter)
Col. Woods. That is not all Judge-There
wa, no whisky for the company that night =
(Renewcd laurhtcr.) | may cite another fact
in contrast with our present condition. In 1886
when was tried at Burlington, a writ of
error or an appeal would be taken to Detroit
Yet at this time iowa is in a better condition
than WAS ever the whole Territory of Michigan
or Wisconsin,.
Ladies and Genlem The present state Of
things contrasts strongly with the times to which
have referred. Now we are building plank |
roads. and projecting railroads in Iowa, and adj |
vancny capital 10 establish railroad connection
with the East through the State of lilinois. The
contractors are now at work upon the Burlington
and Peoria railroad. 1t was the popular enter
prise awakened by the plank road project W hch
led to that great undertaking. And when both
projects are completed each will contribute to
the other
it was not in my power to advance pecuniary
assistance for thus work But did what could
Il raised my voice to encourage those who had
taken hold Of il.
NJ. President. The improved modes of
have extended to the West, and
are working wonders. The inland country is
now brought, projects are foot to bring it,
near to markets our large streams and on the
seaboard. The western farmer either has
Venlent market, or is pushing ahead t. create
Dnr by means Of plank roads and railroads.
The western merchant who purchases his goods
n The East, formerly had one hafof the period
# his credit consumed before lie received them.
Now, days suffice for transportation, where
weeks months were required before.
Col. Woo3s here gave way to the Commit
ee OH Resolutions, who came in and reported
Trough their Chairman, Jas. w. Crime, Esqr.
RESOLUTIONS.
Rcsolced, That the citizens of Dos Mosines,
Henry and Jefferson and Washington countie
nd the country wcs', have reason to felicitale |
hens elves upon the completion of the Burling.
On and Mt. Pleasant Plank Road, furnishing '
hem it will an easy and convenient transit {
, their produce and supplies, 20 and from the 4
Mississippi river, forming connection by the
eora and Burlington Railway with the Allan
C CT les
Resolrcd, That the road has realized the most I
.nguinc expectations If its early friends in rela =