Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-06-30
VOL. v.

uilR rum VIC pfOuuCGE we Sfeh4SsA hHu
the best a.tainable results.
Another matter that appeals strongly
TO our agricultural interest isglhat of in.
ternal Improvements There smoothing
which that interest, al this time SO much
requires, as an easier, more certain, and
cheaper access 20 the markets of the
country. We can now spare heavy
surplus, aud We are consufaing large
amount of goods, on which we are pay
ing freight 10 an eROriaous amount
The process of exchange is difficult.
uncertain and expensive, sublecting our
agricultural Interests 20. heavy losses,
both on Nha. is bought and sold. Il,
would seem that we ought, at least, to
have the use Of ihe natural channel of
this beautiful River, which nature has
caused 10 run through 80 large portion
Of our county, aud the united e1eriions
of the cinzens Of this county. in cons
junction with the citizens Of other coun-
ties, equally interested, oughi 80 be d.
recied in the proper way, 10 the early at.
sainmens Of this object Measures are
now concerning. | am fold, looking to the
removal, the present season, Of what are
known as The cid dams, and the loose
rock or boulderp from the bed of the
strcam. correspondence, il is said, is
now taking place, with the Board of the
River improvement on shig subject, and
it is possible thai a convention viii be
held Al no distant day, to learn the result
80 fb.t -t,-roe !. ~, Ionna ap3 80 cnnca~,
each measures AZ may be deemed neces-
sary, in he premises. Tie farmers of
this county, and ihe members of this
society, may confidently believe. will
give their hearty and efficient aid and
corporation 10 This object, upon which
their interests 10 such an extent depend.
and which has been SO long sam9ered
with and neglecte ted.
Il would be unpardonablc in me, on
this OCCASION, and in .his connection, 10
pass by another question now agitaiing
the public mind 10 an unusual degree,
and deeply affecting The interest Of our
Agriculture, mean tina, of Rail Roads;
one OF the leading questions vi The day,
and now become among The necessities
oil the times. These roads are penetra.
hng every portion Of our land; capital to
IN immense amount is everywhere seeking
investment in them; and they are every
where, under favorable circumstances
paying large and increasing dividends
These great and imporiaht arteries OF
cur iaterior commerce are fass feeling
their way from The great commercial
centres of The east. further and further
into the remote west. and within a few
months, il is expected that the iron horse
will lave his glowing sides at several
points in the Father OF Winters, eager
and painting 10 cross our western banks.
and 10 pursue his triumphant career a,
cross our praires, onward and yet on
ward towards the Rocky Mountains,
and The Pacific coast. bearing along and
dispensing every where his thousand
blessings, and introducing among as the
prosperity. The capital and trade which
are everywhere following fs his track -
What shsll ice do abou, this matter oil
railroads here in loval What can we
dot That We want them here, with
those great and. beneticial results which
we see them comforting all aboutu 10
add value 10 our properly, 10 set IN mo
non the spflngs Of our prosperity, aud
10 deyeloPe our resources as an agrieul-
surnl people, trust no friend OF the
comfy will deny. |. is said thai a com
psny. composed o. some of the leading
capitalists Of the east, has been formed,
with ample means al their command, 10
Introduce tffem 1fitp s,sis- s..-,ei and that
they are on The eve Of surveying and
speedily constructing track for the iron
horse in this direction. from shore to
shore Of those great streams which wash
our eastern and western borders. This
company demand our aid and co-opera-
iion. They are asking US for il, They
say that they must have il if they build
aroad through our county; aud in this j,
must be conceded iha, ihey are reason
able and right What shall we tell them?
The question 10 now before the people
Of ibis county, ,he Farmers of this coun-
W, and they must answer i. one way or
the other. and that. 100. promptly. for
these things in our day Wal. not long up
on The timid. the undecided or the vas.
cilla.ing. Il 10 moi much. presume,
thai will be demanded, or exposed of
as; and Ills no, much that we can do
Ilsakes moBsy 10 build railroads, and a
heap Of il. or ihis. being receEs PEG
pie, with most Of our capital Invested in
land, somewhat in debt, and much need.
ing other Improvements. we have not a
large surplus 10 spare. But is reason
able ihat We should do something; that
We should demonstrate, al least. our ap-
probation Of Ahe ensetPrise, and by risk
ing our own property 80 far as we can.
and permitting The road 10 psss over our
land, give assurance that The property
and capital of others. permanently in
vested under our laws, and within our
control. will be protected and secure.
irus, shat our farmers. snd other cit
liens Of this county, viii give TO this
subject the consideration its importance
demsnds; so hal, al The proper time. and
in the proper way, safe. practicable, ex-
pedien, and satisfactory 20 all concerned,
favorsble response may be made TO