Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-02-19

which the great national rail road must
60, and come east 10 the valley Of the
Platte River, thence on to Burlington,
Peoria, Lafayette, Indianapolis, Column
bus, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Phila-
delphia, and we have delinea.ed not only
the most practicable, but by far the short
est route yet proposed between ocean and
ocean. Every consideration of justice,
interest and necessity appeals TO the gem
eral government TO aid in the construc-
tion Of a road from Burlington to Council
Bluffs, not solely as local and State work,
but as part Of great national whole.
which is now eliciting the attention and
favor Of the commercial world " 4a
II need not be told to any on e at all ae-
quain,ed with the various resources ard
capaeities, this extensive country, that
the contemplated road by that connection
which Il viii have with other works al
ready completed and in rapid progress Of
completion. will bring in immediate ASSOC
citation of the precious metals of the Pa
cifc States, the agricultural products Of
the Middle and Western States, the rice,
cotton and tobacco of the South, with the
fabrics of the east, there to undergo in
the same market, that reciprocal distribu-
ton, which the laws of trade and con-
sumption enforce. to the detriment of
none, but the benefit and prosperity of
all. ragta ,5f4a Aa tau a#.a,f.
Whatever advances the interest and
prosperity of people, to the same extent
promotes the prosperity aud greatness of
the government. All must admit that il,
is the interest Of governments encour-
age the speedy occupancy and cultivation
of its public domain. This can be effect
ed III no way SO successfully as to open
up new channels of communication
Why is il that along the navigable streams
traversng the new States, the land is al
ways first occupied aid purchased? II
is not because of its superior fertility and
productivcness. No. The reason is that
it is more easy Of access TO market.
1t is well known fact, the truth of
which is verified by the history of cur
land system, that those portions Of the
public land lying contiguous to navigable
streams, are always purchased first
Nothing induces to this, except nearness
to market. Then may not the general
government from motives Of pecuniary
profit, and in the construction of such
lines of intercommunication as will en-
courage emigration and promote settle
ment, cultivation and prosperity? Such a
proposition needs no argument in this age
to give it force. will avail myself in
this connection Of a short extract from an
article in the Western Journal Of Decem-
Der last on the subject of grants Of lands
by Congress 10 aid in the construction of
rail roads. "Does the government gain
anything by this timely benefit so easily
conferred? Take the case Of the Illinois
Central Rail Road, the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad, the Missouri railroads, the pro-
posed Arkansas railroad, or the proposed
railroad through Iowa. In the case Of all
these railroads, public lands, which are at
present entirely inaccessible for any prac-
tical purpose, are made available and prof
liable without charge or risk to the gov
eminent. A large extent Of territory
will, as these railroads are made, be in
dustriously settled. Its produce will
swell the commerce Of the country East,
West and South, and its trade and wants
add; 10 the revenues Of the government -
An active population will settle along
these railroads, as o matter of course,
for they are no less profitable than rivers
Of ample water power, in the creation
and support Of industrial pursuits. The
wealth and power Of the country is in
creased, and what was formerly an idle
range for the hunter, becomes noisy with
the activities OF civilized life."
With the character Of the Road from
Burlington TO the Council Bluffs, being
national, not sectional, may we not with
some assurance claim of Congress gran.
Of land to aid individual enterprise and
individual means in its construction. But
aside from the fact that it is destined, from
the necessities of the case, 10 form link
in the great chain Of railroads which is to
| connect the Atlantic with the Pacific, we
may well claim for it the merit Of being q
great State work, ''passing through the
most wealthy and populous portions Of the
State, and over route eminently adapted
to the advantageous construction Of "a work
of its character, having fewer streams to
| cross than any other contemplated route. -