The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-25
a Few Words about Internal Improve
me- ts,


Travellers and geographers affirm that the
great rivers of the West flow downward to-
ward the Gulf of Mexico; and many have
perhaps hence inferred the tendency of the
commerce of that region of country to seek
the markets of the world in the same drec-
ton. But it is said that a shad can not only
swIm>up stream, but that it can even climb the
most precipitous waterfalls. What shad can
thus achieve in the water, men of enterprise
and energy can readily accomplish upon the
surtsce of that element, of which fact we have
Vulnerable proofs, the most recent of which
Is afforded by the present aspect Of trade upon
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The cities of
the East the points aimed al by producers
and factors, and the cheapest, but especially
the most expeditions, avenues seem to be
chosen. 1.-The opening of the Baltimore and
Ohio road to Wheeling" says the Baltimore
Patriot, "has already been followed by results
which, up to its completion, would have been
regarded as extravagant expectations. IL
stopped not with the trade of the Ohio river
proper. It's attraction extended to the valley
OF the Mississippi, and hence we have an in
hux OF productions from that region, which
ever before sought and only found egress to
the Atlantic by the mouth of the Mississippi"
This statement is more than confirmed by
the ST. Louis .Ns,cs, from which we learn
that there is an extraordinary falling off
10 the steamboating between that city and
New Orleans, while the transportation to the
has NIL sod
Travel and freight are both wearing deep
er and deeper the channel through the lakes
to New York, and by the railroad to Bal
timore. Artificial rivers, and iron roads
through mountains and over ravines, are more
attractive than the paths provided by the
hand of nature, and laws more powerful than
gravity itself impel the course of trade.
Ii, in opposition to all the natural obstacles
that have been presented, such state Of things
can De produced, what may not be hoped from
the vigorous and we'll directed exercise of the
energies of the South itself2 1t will not do to
look with jealousy upon the success attendant
upon the efforts Of others; we must emulate
their example, and compete with them through
the agency Of the means they have adopted
The great public works already constructed
and in progress manifest the ability of the
South to do whatever she may will to do in
this connsxion; and in their projection and ex-
ecution has been exemplified the public spirit
of at least a portion of her people, But the
spirit of the people must be yet more tho
roughly aroused, and every conceivable project
to afford facility of transit must be promptly
embraced and resolutely prosecuted.
Results which have been regarded as ex-
travagant expectations" is the language of the
Patriot How often have such results been
realized upon the completion of improvements
proceeding from which many could foresee no
possible advantages. The Long Island rail
road, which was laid through seeming sterile
wastes, is now the medium of transportation for
a region Of country of great beauty and pro-
ductiveness, rendered SO simply by the facili
ties affOred by this very railroad.
An intelligent traveller upon the line of
railroad leading from Alexandra through a
few counties OF Virginia assures US that the
improvements making on the farms along its
course, and the impetus given to productive
industry are things wonderful to behold, and
that he believes the increased value of the ad-
jacent property would already defray the ex-
penses of the construction of this road. No
where, indeed, unless it be in the instance of
some strange and dire mishap, do we fail to
witness effects of this character from any we'll
matured and discreetly-executed plan of i'm
Provement.
But in addressing ourselves to the people of
the South, we are using but feeble arguments
in comparison with those that are now practi-
cally before them. Were the waters of their
noble rivers to change their currents and flow
back to their sources, it would appear scarcely
more unnatural than does the shifting course
of commerce, as described in the journals we
have quoted. While the duty OF wise and
spacious activity is incumbent upon all, the
exhaustless resources of our country forbid the
thought Of serious antagonism of interests.
The power of railroads may be said to be crea-
tive in its tendencies toward development;
and none, therefore, but the supine and indo-
lent suffer in the great progressive contest A
river grows in volume and In power as the dis
lance lenglheDs from its mountain sources to its
junction with the ocean, and the channel Of Its
current as inevitably deepens on its way. Thus
also does it prove with The long series OF ran
roads that traverse our Union. SO tar from
there being antagonism, their interests are mu
tual, and each successive step achieved profits
the whole alike. II such roads may not always
prove at once the highways for the transPorta-
tion of merchandise and produce, as well as OF
travel, the connexion will ever be found 80
Intimate that the one cannot prosper long
without superinducing the other-a fact that
will yet be especially demonstrated In the en-
terprises Of the South.
An Interesting communication from the May