Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-08-04
OUR FUTURE.
l.. CURTIS.

We anxiously search the future with glass
of "hextra double million magnifying power"
as Samuel Weller, Esq, would have said
"When get TO be man." says the boy who
hes Just put on his first pair Of pantaoons, 81
will 90 where please, and do as ] like, and
Father can't make me do anything;" and this
lofty idea swells him, until the new inexpress-
ibles can scarcely contain their owner. As he
grows up other dreams light up his path, calling
around him all the glories of brilliant future,
with none Of its drawbacks. As time progress
ps, difficulties, impediments and distractions
UNEXPECTEDLY start up and glare upon him like
unbidden phantoms. Then shadow begins TO
fall upon his prospects. The view becomes
"mixcd' There is no longer monotony of
flowers and rainbows. An unskillful artist, he
at first put nothing but light in his pictures
Experience learns lin to introduce some sha-
ding also. lie discovers that no Fairy attends
him to change pumpkins into splendid carriages,
or hares 10 magnificent horses, or everything he
touches instananeously TO gold. Fairies slow
e. in their movements, and OF stcrner aspect,
but not less potent for good, are TO control his
destiHies: these are Labor, Self denial Patience
and Perseverance.
Cities and nations are governed by the same
feelings that rule The destinies Of individuals.
A man coming TO this section i'll 1896, would
have been struck with the apparent necessity
for atcwn Of considerable Importance somewhere
on the west bank Of the Mississippi, between St.
Louis and the Lower Rapids. Not looking TO a
railroad future, which, like second Nature,
would most probably bestow Fortunes favors
promiscuously, and in seeming confusion; but
considering only the commercial advantages
as developed, it would have appeared that st.
Louis must forever remain the central sun, ha-
wing revolving around il the lesser lights stud
ding the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. All
the produce concentrated at these points might
be expected to be poured into st. Louis, and
thence would be drawn all their supplies for the
interior. Under such circumstances, no UTy
4 important town could be expected 10 spring up.
There would be races for precedence, fostering,
and in turn cheercd on by local riyalries and
petty iealousies, the small victory finally TO be
awarded TO that town which should manage TO
get the best start, or which might be favored
with some neighborheod advantages. Would
this fortunate town be Louisiana, or Hannibal
or PALMYRA, or Marion City, Canton, FULLY
Lagrange or Alexandria? All these places had
a fine scope Of country back of them, though
Hannibal was probably best situated, in that re-
spect, the radius Of her circle Of trade being 7C
to 100 miles, over country unsurpassed in pro
ductive capacity, and which, by immigration
was rapidly increasing in population AleXan
dria is too near Kcokuk. Lagrange, FULLY an'
Canton could not be expected to advance muct
farther than they have gone as they had Qun
CIV on one side and Hannibal on the other, Il
contend against. Marion City was soon swep
oil by tbe waves of the Mississippi, and will
il many gorgeous "castle in the air." Leaving
railroads out OF the question, no good reason
could nave been advanced fifteen years ago, VIII!
Louisiana should not progress nearly as las
and as far as Hannibal. Palmyra was the mos
prominent rival Of Hannibal. She had tn
county sea-, yy,lle Hannibal was crammed dow
into the extreme corner of the county. Th
cost of transportation from Marion City TO Pal
myra was but triiling, while the trade OF
large section of rich country centered at the lat
Ter place. Leaving the railroad out OF vlew'
doubtless seemed probable that by well directe
energy, Palmyra might continue to tread clos
TO the heels of Hannibal. Trouble about title
was an infection Of il-starred fortune, retardin
the growth and prosperity of Hannibal This
however, with other minor difficulties, has van
ished.
Thus, Of number Of towns contendng &c
superiority, there were no circumstances SUI
sounding any one of them, which we're OF suii
eisnt importance to render i. indisputably Gel
tain that it had been chosen for greatness.
The history and present position of Hannib
nroys that her Future is in her Railroad
APlaak Roads, and Manufactures.
THE ELECTION
We are indebted to Thomas E. Hatche
Esq, Clerk of the County Court for the follow
ing: