Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-08


1And If we would remedy this dreadful evil,
we must call ont, and make to bear upon thus
subject, the real feeling and sentiment q ms
past majority of the people, who feel the pond
age and trembIe in the power OF the irrespon-
sible despotism to which we are subjected we
must look to the causes Of this evil and, IN en-
deayoring to remove them, we shall be applying
its effective cure. We must not allow ourselves
to believe, for . moment, that it is an undue
exercise of power for Legislatures to impose and
enforce such conditions upon companies and
corporations as shall secure the public safety
We must not allow ourselves to be members Of
such corporations with single eye to divi-
dends Ii we belong to them, we must insist
that every means for the safety of passengers
be provided, whatever be its effect upon the
value OF the stock--0r we must leave them.
That il poor stock, whatever its market value
which ID the price of blood We must not par
take in that insane and childish rage for speed
which sanctions and stimulates the rivalry and
recklessness Of captains conductors, and COM
panies. We must do our part in bringing 70
Justice and hold to strict account those who
dash us over precipices and toss us in the air
The people must make Legislatures and Con-
gress feel that they are aware of their cxcess-
i've love for them, and their votes and offices
but that they cannot return this ardent attach
ment, nor give them their votes and Offices, I'M
less they devote themselves an earnest 10 propa-
ding for the security Of their rights and their
Lues. Let them make it understood that they
want to be beloved by their agents, but that
they value, above all things, life, liberty, and
tho pursuit Of happiness Those who sit upon
juries, and exp0und the laws, and administer
Justice must act upon the principle that care
Ia.o nd IF Ia
from motives of avarice, is murder Of a deeper
dye Of guilt than that which results from the
urgency Of passion The whole matter is in
the hands of the sufferers and victims. If they
will pause and take it up, it is in their power
to supply the remedy.
"And it seems to me that the time has fully
come when the remedy should DO applied. 1t
was supposed that some of the awful catastro-
Plies that have occurred would produce greater
carefulness and security They seem to have
produced only insensibilty in the public mind,
and no diminution, certainly, of perils and Of
accidents. believe that the time has como
that protective leagues and associations should
be formed in the commercial cities, by men of
standing, integrity, and courage, who should
devote themselves with the fearlcssness Of free
men who know their rights, and, knowing,
dare maintain thcm' and with the benevolencc
and zeal of Christians and of patriots, to the
great work Of enforcing reform in the pres
ent modes of travel | believe that such an
Anti Numbering Association would be hailed
with gratitude and supported with enthusiasm
all over the land. Let them devote themselves
to securing the legislation which shall enforce
such stringent rules, with high penalties, as are
needed for the safety of the traveller, and
which shall make it condition of all charters,
that some officials appointed by Government,
as is the case in other countries, shall see to
and enforce the fnlfilment of it's pledges. Let
them expose, and denounce, and prosecute in
the courts, all instances of cruel and murder
GUS carelessness. Let them, without fear or
favor, publish to the world all the facts, which
win make the officers and companies to whom
our lives are consigned know that sharp eyes
are upon them, and that they will be prosccu-
ted and exposed if they are derelct in duty.
A league like this, well endowed and furnished
with benevolent, earnest fearless freemen, as
its officers, would shed honor and bring down
. blessing upon the city in which it should
originate.
ct is in vain to say that these accidents are
unavoidable. That they are not unavoidable
we know because we know that they are
avoided in other lands. We are not willing
to confess our inferiority in mechanic art and
| skill to other nations. We have shown our
selves superiors OF all the nations Of the world
in those useful arts and inventions which per-
tain TO daily life. 1t is obvious, then, that our
constant danger and our frequent accidents
are not the result Of want OF ability and skill,
but Of want Of care, of low estimate Of the
vhlue of human life, Of grasping and heartless
avarice, of hot haste, of needless impetuosity
| Ii is the jnggernaut Of wealth that we worship
and it il beneath its wheels that we are crush.
ed
ain this subject every citizen Of the United
States has an interest. He has, in reference
to it, duty to discharge. He can give his
testimony. He can inter his protest He can
use his influence He can claim his rights
Our national happiness and good name, our
national civilization and advancement, are in.
yolved in the reformation OF this evil. Good
roads, safe, easy, cheap, and rapid, transit
from one part Of our vast country 10 another
are among our choicest privileges They open
tho wilderncsses; they bid cities rise they
diffusc knowledge; they carry the Bible, and
the Missionary Of the Gross; civilization pros
perity, and Christianity, are their constan,
passenger Let US see to it that they do no,
become 30 terrifying by tho dangers connected
with them, as that II shall be with us NJ it wa,
in the days Of Shamgar, tho son OF Anath
when tho highways mere unoecupied, and Nh,
Travellers walked through byfcays l'p