The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-19
OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.

OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.
The President and nearly all the Direc-
tors of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad
Co., are now in our city, visiting it, not
for the purpose of soliciting public atten-
tion to the necessity which exists for
such work, or for ascertaining what the
probable material aid'' would likely
amount to for. an enterprise of the kind
but for the more gratifying duty of COM
mencing operations. We have been
promised a ride in the course of two or
three years, from the Mississippi to the
ancient and venerable town of Vincennes,
on the Wabash, with the assurance that
the time to be occupied in the journey,
(if such it will be called, shall not ex-
ceed three hours.
1t is not improbable but this speed may
be attained on the Western prairies.-
For miles, the road on the route of which
we are speaking, will be laid without the
slightest curve-straight as line can
possibly be run-without any ascending
grade Of consequence to overcome, and
with but few bridges to cross, or impede
ments of any kind to encounter. Under
such circumstances, the "fying car"
will require but little time to cross the
beautiful and fertile prairies of Illinois.
The same reasons induce the belief that
the contemplated early completion of the
road is not the result of ardor and fancy.
but of cool, deliberate judgment, based
upon the easy facilities which the even
surface of the country presents for the
construction of such an improvement
There are several sections which will re-
quire great deal of work, and a consid-
erabie outlay for their completion, but the
general route can soon be finished, while
concentrated strengh upon difficult places,
which the finances Of the company are
enabled to command, will soon overcome
whatever is really formidable. The lest
spirit animates the friends of the road,
and every days observation, and every
new speculation upon the probable result
of the undertaking, confirm the public
mind more and more in the belief, that it
is destined TO become one of the most
important thoroughfares in the whole
Union.
The country through which the route
passes is not very thlckly settled. With
no Manageable stream in the interior of the
State of Illinois, and with no macadami-
zed or plank roads, the difficulties of
reaching market either on the east or
west side, have prevented agriculturists
from selecting this region. The loose
loan lands are impossible in the winter
and spring months, although they pro-
duce like the Delta of the Nile, their
productions are cut or from any adequate
mart. The effect of this Railroad enter
prise will be to bring this hitherto neg
lected country under cultivation, and of
course to add materially to the already
immense quantity OF products which
reach our city. 1t will build up flourish
ing towns all along the line; but these
will prove no detriment to St. Louis
These will be but reservoirs, in which
districts Of country will collect their
stores to pour into the lap of this COM
mercial metropolis. The problem of
railroad enterprises has been solved and
with the solution plain before the eye,
the individual or State, who crcum-
scribes the results to the narrow limits or
personal or local prejudices, or interest,
does not, to say the least, fully compre-
bend the subject. 1t is not contended
that ALL the advantages of such work
are to be enjoyed by one place or locali-
~. The influence will extend outward
in every direction, and 10 every branch Of
business. Agriculture will be enhanced,
manufactures stimulated, arizans will
find employment, and science will rear
her colleges and schools. and educate the
people Tor all the refined enjoyment
which civilization and religion can bring.
As city, we only contend for share Of
the emoluments commensurate with the
commercial position we occupy.
ST. Louis has grown into her present
gigantic proportions with that only one
great artery of commerce which nature
gave her-lhe noble river Mississippi
The central position she occupies, COM
manding the trade of tile fur regions, the
iron and lead mines, the lumber trade,
and the various agricultural staples from
which no agricultural improvement can
wrest her grasp, is enough to satisfy the
highest ambition with regard TO her fu-
ture destiny. Without mile of railroad
she has exhibited the most wonderful
growth: inferior to none in this wonder
full age; and with the facilities which the
hand of science is now engaged in erect
ing, it were almost impossible to calcu-
late with any certainty the strength to
be diflused through her system Of COM
mercial enterprise. When the immense
country now lying around us, in every
direction, shall teen with an industrious
population, and the approach to St. Louis
for fifty miles, come what course the trav-
eler may, shall be marked with increasing
evidences of thrift and prosperity, with
noble farms and busy towns, the great
heart of this region will beat with
&C healthful music'' to the progress of the