The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-15
From the National InieHigencer.
Illinois Central railroad.

\ complimentary dinner was given yeser-
day evening by committee of the Illinois
Central Railroad Company to the Illinois Del
egatlon IN Congress, at Wizards Hotel, in
honor 10 the success of the measures prelimi-
nary 10 the commencement of the road. Gao.
GRIswoLD, esq, was in the chair, supported by
HIRAM kETCHUM. esq. There were present
also DAVID \. NEAL, esq, Vice President,
MORRIS kETcHUM, esq, and other officers of
the company, with the ATTORNEY GENERAL,
and Hon. Messrs. ROCKWELL, RANToUI, Al
LEN, and other members of the House of Re
representatives..
On the removal Of the cloth, Mr. HIRAM
kETCHUM skctched succlnctly the history of
the undertaking, and the plan of action by
which seven hundred miles Of railroad are to
be built IN four years, uniting Chicago on the
north with Cairo on the south, and the point
opposite Dubuque on the west, into enc great
system. Mr.. X. alluded 10 the vast advantages
of this road, not only to Illinois, but to the
whole West, nay 10 the whole Union, as it
would open up to high improvement perhaps
the finest connected body Of land in the world.
The honorable Secretary of the Interior had
been prevented by other engagements from at
tending IN person, rs had the distinguished
Secretary of State. The latter had, however,
handsomely acknowledged the invitation in the
following terms:
WAsHISoTos. March Ia, 1852.
NV DEAR Sra: was exceedingly sorry that it
was not in my power TO accept the invitation, re-
ceiyed yesterday, Of yourself and your New York
friends, to dine with you at your hotel to-day.
You are here, understand, upon business connect
ed with the Illinois Railroad. and the members OF
Congress from that State are expected to be among
your guests 1t would have given me great plea
sure to meet those gentlemen, and in expressing
my qualification that that magnificent work lie now
about 10 commence and that it's completion within
no long time is put beyond contingency. The un-
dertaking is equally vast in lite plan and its i'm
portsnce; and, with the exception OF those inca
sures adopted the session before the Last hardly
know whether the present President Of the United
States has given his sanction to an act of Congress
likely to have larger influence on the prosperity Of
the country
Several years ago was in Illinois and passed
for great extent through the country in and
through which this railroad runs. thought
bad never seen such immense tract Of valua
bic land; and subsequent discoveries OF many
sorts Of the most valuable minerals, produce entire
conviction that the State Of Illinois may become
as prosperous IN it's manufactures ne in lite agri.
culture. Ere long we shall see another and a
similar work, commencing at tho southern cp-
trenity Of this road, and running through the
Southern States, till II reaches the Gulf Of Mexico.
This is not only probable, bot certain, if no great
political evil shall in the mean time befoll the
country.
The grant To the Illinois railroad disposcs of n
large portion Of the public domain. but it will be
we'll disposed Of; and this grant and other similar
grants made already, or now in contemplation,
while they leave the residue Of the public lands
more valuable, do not essentially interfere with tho
objects which have thought just, and have for a
long time jealousy supported, of giving land
enough for homestead 20 every actun settler, on
the sole condition Of residence for short term
Of years. In my opinion, the public good and the
happiness Of individuals alike require this God
gave the earth to man TO be titled and land il of
no value whatever TIL the approach of cultivation
shows that il about 10 bccope the theatre for the
application OF human labor the all-pruducing
source Of comfort aud wealth.
Nobody can contemplate these great lines Of in
iernsl communication, running through many
States, without perceying at once their important