Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-23
HANNIBAL JOURNAL, JUNE %, 1858.

The St. Joseph Cycle has the following in
reference to the report of the Chief Engineer Of
the Hannibal and 81. Joseph Railroad. The {
condensed history given Of the early irbulations
of the road, its origin and the inanner in which
it was sustained by the energy Of flew persons,
until it drew TO its support numbers, wealth
and influence; and, advancing step by STEP is
now in course Of construetion-is correct, and
shows how faith and perseverance can ride over
and trample down difficulties The compliments
paid to the report and to Maj. Bucklin, are all
fully deserved:
REPORT on THE PRELIMINARY SURVEYS AND
LOCATION OF HANNIBAL AND ST. JOSEPH RAIL
ROAD, By JAMES h. BU0KLIN, CH1Er EHSl-
| NEER
| Some four or five years ago. the idea dawned
uron the minds of two or three individuals TO
connect the Mississippi and Missouri rivers by
a railroad. This idea was far in advance OF
the feelings and prejudices, the conjectures and
even wishes Of the people in this region, that,
for the most part, the only attention it elected
for a time was expressions Of surprise at ITS nov
city, or manifestations Of rdicule at its imprac-
ubiliiy. Luckily, the projectors of this scheme
were no idle dreamers, whose policies could
be upset by the cold doubts Of skeptcism or be
ticability of their project was a matter OF math-
ematical demonstration-the possibility Of its
consumnation appealed to the energy of its orig
inators. And never was appeal more judicious-
" made more resolutely answered. Onward
they kept their way, deferred by no doubts
frightened by no rdcule, appalled, by no oppo-
sing public opinion, their courage. and energy
not abated even by painful, protracted, and Grip
5 pling disease. Soon the footsteps of progress
t could be traced The bill for charter was
fought through-Statc credit was pledged, an
., exploration was made-subscriptions of stock
were solicited and the before shapeess and rid
> iculed idea now took tangible form and seem
a ed 10 assume pervading power. Hopeful
: politicians, whose affection for the "dear people"
never permitted them to hint at any scheme for
the substantial good Of their constituents, until
70 they were quite sure it could command the mag
il zeal influence Of that all powerful political tails
ID man, the majority, now elevated their voices
70 aloud and begged TO be regarded original sup
porters and champions. The grant Of public
lands at last settled the question Of the compile
lie ten of the Hannibal and st. Joseph Railroad
E. and one would have supposed that doubts would
80 ceaSe-iealuuSies vanish, and that now there
would be only unanimous and cheerful hope for
- the good time coming" But who ever knew
ne a croaker that would not croak? Or who ever
IS knew politician jealous of the growing popular
re ity of feared competitor that could not raist
Il, the darkest clouds of calumnies TO obscure th'
:! fairest horizon? To all who have doubted an(
u honestly feared-to all who have fretted at wha
he they deemed delay-to all who have privat
is ends TO accomplish privaie piques to gratif
ne ls-ne h, -LA"o-tp Its9 i,s.g nj Jlseq% u NJ
- they lacked in sense--to all who are openl,
friends or foes let us commend Maj. Bucklin'
ne report. II they have faith they will there fin
ue treason for the faith that is in thcm'-iF the,
nd have had doubts they will find them dissipate
nv by its perusal, as before MONDAY sun, and i
they are seeking something to snari and cavi
at, let them look sharp, and they will find no
thing al ALL
The report is model report, in every re
TO sPect. 1t just what it purports to be- .RSpor
Tor 1t eIhbodies results. Ii relates clearly, concise
ire y and forcbly what has been done-the result
m OF explorations; reconnoisances and measure
OIL ments-it unfods the capabilities Of the countr
ss- through which the location passes, and demon
ng strates forcibly and powerfully the possibilitie
er, of future commerce between the Atlantic an
'e- Paciiic-between Europe and the Indies ma
nat king this line Of road portion Of its medium
oss transit The report is not only highly credita
ne Bile TO Maj. Bucklin and all the corps, as pract
TO- cal Engineers, but it shows in its preparation
he abundance of skill, judgment and ability, in Mai
on Buckln as writer. Everything is precise an,
Ter to the point. There is no writing merely I,
ar fill up a report. Nothing overstraIned or il
nd the least degree "highferlutn.' 1t is forcble
5; demonstrative, practical.