The daily union., 1852-03-16
From the National Inleliesneer, March 10.
Illinois Central Railroad.


complimentary dinner was given yesterday evening
by committee OF the illinois Central Railroad Company
to the Illinois delegation in Congress- at Wards Hole
in honor of the OF the preliminary TO the
commencement OF the road. Geo. Griswold, esq., in
the chair supported by Hiram Ketchum, esq. There
present also David A. Neal, esq, vice president
Morris Ketchum esq., and other officers OF the company
with the Attorney General, and Hon. Messrs. Rockwell
Ranoul, Allen and other members of the House OF Rep
resentatives.
On the removal OF the cloth Mr. Hiram Ketchum
skeched succincty the history of the undertaking. and
the plan Of action by which seven hundred miles OF rail
road 10 be built in four years. uniting Chicago on the
north with Cairo the south, and the point opposite
Dubuque on the west, into one great system. Mr.. X
alluded TO the vast advantages OF this road. not only to
Illinois, but to the whole West-nay, 10 the whole
Unionasi would open up TO high Improvement perhaps
the finest connected body of land in the world.
The honorable Secretary OF the Interior had been pre-
vented by other engagements from attending in person,
as had the distinguished Secretary of State The latter
had, however, handsomely acknowledged the invitation
in the following terms
WASHINGTON. March 12, 1852.
My DEAR SIR: was exceedingly sorry that il was
day. OF yourself and your New York friends. TO dine
with you your hotel to-day. You are here, under
and the members of Congress from that State expect
ed TO be among yonr guests IL would ruve given me
great pleasure meet those gentlemen and in express
ing my qualification that that magnificent work is now
about to commence, and that its completion within no
long time is put beyond contingency. The undertaking
is equally in its plan and It's importance; and with
the exception Of those adopted the session be-
fore the last, hardly know whether the present Pres
dent OF the United States has given his sanction to an
of Congress likely to have larger influence the
prosperity OF the country.
Several years ago in Illinois, and passed for great
extent through the country in and through which this
railroad runs | thought had never seen such an i'm
mense OF valuable land ard subsequent discove-
RES OF many sorts Of the most valuable minerals, pro-
duce entire conviction that the State OF Illinois may be-
prosperous in its manufactures in its agrcn
tue. Ere long shall another and similar work,
commencing at the southern extremity of this road, and
running through the southern States till il reaches the
Gulf oil Mexico This is not only probable but certain,
il no great political evil shall in the time befa the
country.
The gran, to the Illinois railroad dsposes of large
portion of the public domain. but IL will be well disposed
Of and this grant, and other similar grants made already
OF in contemplation while they leave the residue OF
the public lands more valuable do not essentially inter
ere with the objects which have thought just aud have
Tor long time zealously supported OF giving land enough
for homestead to every actual settler, on the sole con-
dton OF actual residence for short term of years. In
nv opinion The public good and the happiness OF ndi
viduals alike require this God gave the earth 10 man
to be Tiled and land is OF no value whatever till the
approach OF cultivation shows that is about TO become
the theatre for the application OF human labor the all
producing source OF comfort and wealth.
Nobody contemplate these great lines Of internal
communication, running through many States, without
peceying al once their important political effects Moth
ing tend strongly to hold the States together
or, il may borrow an expression from language usually
applied 10 that which is the object OF your thoughts TO-
day, nothing is likely TO keep the government and
the Union from running off the track
pray you my dear sir, TO accept Tor yourself, and TO
signify 10 all your associates not only the Of
my high personal regards but also my sincere congratu
laons at the which has so far attended their
most valuable and important undertaking
remain, with entire regard, your obedlent servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
DAVID A. NEAL, esq.
In reply to toast from Mr. Kechun in honor OF the
State oil Illinois, the Hon Senator Douglas happily
sponded, going eng tn and with much effect into
the highly valuable and important national as well as
State and sectional results be anticipated from this
road which would benefit all the parties connected with
1.-THE United States, the State, and the stockholders
This road would connect with road 10 Mobile, thus
uniting the northern lakes with the Gulf OF Mexico
Hon J. Crittenden felictously replied TO toast
ack owledgng the frendliness be had shown to the
enterprise, and the prompliude with which he had acted
on certain law points connected with IT,
Addresses were also made by Hon. Messrs Ficklin
Ranoul, Allen, and others.
We regret that The ateness Of the hour al which this
is prepared precudes heightened notice OF very
Interesting occasion.