Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-08
From the Bur. Tri-weekly Hawk-Eye.
Railroad West FROM Bnrline ton.

We understand that Col. II. p. Nor
gan, Engineer Of the Peoria & Oquawka
Railroad, has made in the last few days
reeconisance of the country ly ing west
of this place as far as Skunk river, and
he reports that the route is very favorable
for a railroad. He will be able to as
cend the hills back of Burlington with a
very favorable grade, and the descent to,
and ascent from, Skunk river, as well as
tie crossing of that stream can be accom-
plished with very little difficulty.
This may well be matter Of coDgra,u-
lation to our citizens. The day is not
far distant when the liberality and enter
prise of our city, SO promptly enlisted TO
secure railroad communication to the
East, will be required to push forward
the iron track TO the West, until it shall
penetrate the interior of the State and
finally reach The Missouri river. That
such road must be built in few years,
we cannot permit ourselves to Doubt
The South Western portion of the State
is now settling up with great rapidity,
and the whole of the Missouri river
country III one of almost nnequalled
beauty and fertility. The population of
Iowa is one half OF il embraced within
the two southern tiers of counties, en-
bfacing Poitawatamie on the West The
route from this place would cross the
Des MONIES at or near Ottumwa, and
from that point West, would lead through
The most fertile. productive, and thickly
populated portion of the State west Of
the Des Moines.
The memorial to Congress asking
donation of land to aid in the construction
Of this road, we have already laid before
our readers. 1t has been numerously
signed and win be forwarded 10 Con-
gress at an early day. That it will Sc
cure the respectful consideration of that
body in connection with other applications
for grants of lands to aid in the construc.
ton of similar works of internal improve.
ment in our State. and other portions Of
the West, we cannot for moment per-
NIT ourselves to doubt. But the people
of Iowa and the West should be ready
to say that this road shall be built, wheth-
er it receive the assistance of the govern.
ment or not. Government aid can do a
great deal, but we are not afraid to say
that the road can be built without it,
The resources. the energy, and the en-
lighlened public spirit of the West, are
just beginning to be developed. To 90
no farther back than three years ago,
the construction Of a plank road from this
place to Mt Pleasant was thought to be a
mostarduous and hazardous undertaking,
one that would require half life time
with giant enterprise to accomplish
This is the way that some people talked.
Yet it was found when our young and
giant city and her public spirited citizens
put their shoulders to the wheel, and set
themselves to work at this matter in earn
est, that it went ahead Immediately 10 a
successful and speedy completion.
And now what is there in the way of
the construction of railroad from this
point west to the Missouri, to discourage
us in the attempt. The means may moi
be Immediately at our command, any
more than they were to build our plank
road when il was commenced. But the
completion fthe Peoria Railroad within
two years will show us such an increase
OF our business, capital and resources of
every kind, while those who are most
doubling now will have become so well
convinced of its advantages, that the great
demand will be for its extension further
west. As the necessity and advantages
of such an enterprise are made manifest,
the means of its accomplishment will be
forthcoming with the occasion. We do
not rightly know what we can do until
we are fairly tried. To say that a rail-
road cannot be built from this place west,
is an imputation on the character and en-
terprise of our city. To say that il is
not needed to shut ones eye to the spirit
Of the age. and 10 the progress and dsvel-