Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-05-06
For the Daily Indiana State sentinel-l
Railroads

il would seem that conflicting interestsinstead ofoper
atng TO favor any particular section at the expense
OF others-have produced conservative eIect which
has secured all equal railroad consideration and has
been the means Of developing a PLAN Of railroads,
which is destined to exert powerful influence In the
future history of Indiana If the spirits oil men, who
are in advance OF the age confined TO earth until
the period with which they harmonic has passed; If
these-some of whom embodied anterior TO our
creatonare around US, and permitted to exert an
invisible activity human affairs, then we might suppose
the soul of William Penn assccating with thst OF that
Fulton has seized upon Indiana, as held whereon to
exercise their genius, for the production oil perfect
railroad plan. But whatever the cause which mas oper
ated perfect system as that which Is at
present being developed II evident, that none could
have been presented combining greater harmony, or
promising more important results Indianapolis wiii DC
the railroad centre Of the United States
When the great West shall have become full; when the
emigran shall be arrested 400 miles west Of the Mis-
souri, and there, warned by the eternal gloom mat
spreads beyond that may wander IN, but not ABIDE
lis drearness; when Lake Superior shall become the
arena Of mighty mechanisrai when the coal oets OF
Pennsylvania Ohio. Indiana, illinois, and Iowa, will
concentrate the capital and population of stupendous
manufacturing interest; when Canada shall be annexed
and Michigan Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, the Indian
Territory and Texas filed with labsrious intelligent
travelling people; them Indianapolis will be the heart
whence flows the life stream to each extremity OF the
popuous body Then the Bellefontaine Road viii be
the road to New York and Boston the Richmond Road
to Philadelphia and Baltimore; the Lawrenceburg road
the Virginia the MadisoS, the South Carolina and
Georgia road the Jefersonvle the Alabama road; the
Terre Hante, the Pacific road the Lalayete the Lake
Superior road There also will be road TO the Pocket
which will continue on the banks of the Missssip
pi, TO New Orleans, with branches, 10 Texas and
road likewise north-ea through Fort Wayne, Michi
gaR and Canada. TO Montreal and Quebec. These are
of the natural consequences OF the present state Of
things.
indianapolis islke nucleus thrown into chrystazed
fluid around which, layer after layer OF solid substance
is constantly deposting. Most admirable was the Sc
lection Of spot for glorious aiuure. Harsh Poverty,
which has much do with the creation Of cities and
arrangement Of things in the wilderness west seems 10
have left the disposition of Indianapolis fairer and
ADLER hands Destined for the home OF Intellect, all
the elements that contribute to its employment or
enjoyment placed here The foundation is begun,
on which Beauty assisted by Wealth. may erect SUPER
structure according to her taste
The appearance and position OF Indianapolis marks
her, distinctly though sign was planted In the
blue armament above her, which was inscribed, IN
letters of gold. athens Of the Vest Without how
specializing further on the probable future oil lnd
annapolis or Of the State, OF the railroads now pro-
crossing let examine il any thing is wanting I'm
ish the scheme add to its general efhciency-ior,
though admitting the possibility OF its being elaborated
by immateral Billy Penn, il quite certain that
teria bodies materially interested and concerned in
/ its development. The picture is most promising,
touch here and trace there will finish the outline,
which the master hand of Time can alone fill up and
polish 4 road from Peru Logansport to South
Bend one from Indianapolis or Noblesyille 10 Fort
Wayne and one 20 Lake Erie; one from Indianapolis,
south west through the valley Of the West Fork to
Evansville or Mount Vernon; one from Terre Haute TO
Lafayette, and from Mount Vernon TO Cincinnati,
touching all the principal points the Ohio River.
These would all be paying roads and their eject IN
producing rapid settlement Of those parts Of the State
which in of settlers, would be beneficial
10 the whole commonwealth Capital is now accumn-
ating in the east, which will build all rail roads, oer-
ing the prospect of paying that these do and local in
sress will the building of roads which offer no
such advantages
The time is not far distant when every county in the
State will have at least branch railroad traversing it,
YETI n but
three have arrived TO any degree OF maturity In this
country; to a zenith of their powers Sufficient,
however, known to warrant the conclusion THAI no
other thorOughfare can compete With them, except
straight and capacious course entirely free Of toll
and this IT is questionable whether they may not
eventually supersede. II the Hudson river, which is
perfect charmed there is in the world had not
the advantage of immense capital invested in boals,
already at work t; il would have fearful com.
petitor in the Hudson River Railroad. double track
will be made that road and then, will be solved the
problem whether the best channel in the country
compete with railroads Ii is anticipated that the
steamboatng the Hudson will DO eventually confined
to pleasure line between New York and Albany
When this OF things is aentlyely considered
when compare the depth, drectness immense traffic,
and consequently punotua uninterrupted business of
the Hudson river, with the circuy, variable volume,
and inefficient equipment of western waters; when we
that Notwithstanding the superior advantages, in
every respect of the Hudson that its trade is in imi
nen danger OF being almost entirely diverted to rail.
road on its banks When reflect that the ofth
Hudson road and all other railroads in the East
over double what they in the Western States and
therefore require double the OF freight sup.
port them when consider that road of any extent
in this country except the Reading road in Pennsylva
MIA has vet been reduced to the condition Of common
laboring roads, when review the vast development
of the West, in the last 20 years, with its imperfect
channels of trade and compare it with estimates Of It's
20 years. when railroads, the most proper sonduc.
Of humanity will penetrate the darkest recesses oil
the now gloomy forest, and people the wide wilderness
Of primitive prares who can estimate the future cond
on of Indiana whose roads presents but the
y clearing and the log cabin OF the pioneer Of civza
ton. Whom, but would be considered visionary en-
thusiast that would present TO the public synopsis o
opinions regarding the future, predcaed examina
on of the past and including oTtor, the aduncts o
the present. Tho progress and probable effects OF rail-
roads the West prolific subjects which should
gage attentive study from all who connected with
them Surely no sectaran feeling would bias directors
wish TO compel road do all the business of the
country, would influence them, did they calmly reflect
that business in the United States is stationary that
each year increases its amount; that the trade OF Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, which
goes down New Orleans is destined pass and
repass the roads, building and to be built in
Indiana in its direct Philadelphia, New York
and B-ston. And this, independent of the trade o.
States in the far West whose yet hidden II
the womb Of time.
The West the granary Of the world railroads are
its proper products and il is important that these should
be capacious and numerous enough TO discharge The
grain wherever occasion demands its quick transit. A.
wherever located they can only act beue6caly on the
to place them. This is the true policy, the best policy
the policy which should influence all who re
motely interested in them. M.
s.Democratic Review"
The wing papers are Just now, quoting largely from
tie April number OF the Democratic Repeto, paper
which has for three months past, been engaged in
ting certain prominent ''old fogies'