Kansas weekly herald., 1855-01-05
For the Kansas Herald.
Mr. EpIroR:

x0l lie Aa1SaS Herald.
Mr. EDIToR:
Having recently become a resident
Of Kansas Territory and united my-desti-
mes with that of the people who-wiH in the
future become inhabitants of Kansas
have come to the determination to use all
I'6f what itfie influence may have to pro-
mote its future welfare. I am not one of
those individuals who think ANYTHING great
bea6eeial 10 the human familFeEer-came
by chance, but every. thing which has in
any great measure blessed the world. had
to be worked for; and believing as I do, al
though Kansas is blessed with as rich soil and
salubrions climate, and is as well adapted to
agricultural pursuits as any country underline
sun, am not willing to sit down and fold
my hands, and say this is enough. With all
the advantages we have of soil and climate
we must have some more advantages of
trade than Nature has givenus. True We
have the great Missouri skirting us on the
East and the Kansas penetrating through
the centre; yet these In this day of travelling
| by lightning is not sufficient. We must
have other means of transportation and
travel than these. We must have Rail
Roads. SO as to keep pace with our neigh
bors, without them, we will be considered
behind the age In which we live. This is
what may be called fast age, and living
at the rate we do at the present, shut up
| from all the rest of mankind for at least
three months Of each year, is not living at
| all. We must have Rail Roads penetra-
ting into the interior Of the Territory, and
| if it is needful to have these Rail Roads,
why not get to work and have them at oncez
We are just as able to build them now as
we will be five years hence, and more so.
Were we to wait five years, we would be in
worse condition than we are now. We
would not of ourselves be able to build one
mile of Rail Road. All our dependence to
build them is upon Eastern and Southern
capital, and from donations of lands along
the line of the Roads, and if we wait until
the lands are sold we will have none Of
them. And what is worth doing, is worth
doing at once. Should we at once ask Con-
gress to grant us lands to build Rail Road
through the Territory, in the direction of
Salt Lake and New Mexico before the
lands are sold, they will surely grant our
request, as they will be none the looser by
it. twill be ready means Of ofmaking sale
of all the lands, and we will have no diff
Guilty IN having the Road built Then if
these are facts, what is our duty? Is it not
to devise some plan by which we may ac~
complish these desirable ends? Come out
you Rail Road men and let us hear from
you. Give US some suggestions what ought
to be done under the circumstances. There
never was a Rail Road built without great
deal OF talk and great deal Of money
All we expect of the people is to do the
talking and acting. and if you do the right
kind OF talking and acting, the capital will
be forthcoming. Agree upon some plan
for Rail Road westwardIy from the Mis-
souri, river in the direction of Utah and New
Mexico. and ask Congress for grant of
alternate sections for three miles on each
side of the Road, and the money will soon
be thrown In sight to build it. 1t makes no
difference whether there is an Eastern con-
nectlon or not, one viii soon be offered
without costing you dollar Then select
your route for the Road through Kansas,
and get your grant Of lands and an Eastern
| connection will soon be afforded. Your
Road will be snatched at like hot cakes, it
can be built almost on your own TERMS
There are several companies anxiously
looking In this direction, ready to second
the first move, all anxious to stretch out their
arms towards the Pacific. Ifyou but make
the move and get memorial through your
Legislative couueil for grant of lands these
companies will meet you a, Washington,
and help you through with the matter. The
only difficulty is at home; and let the mat
ter lie little longer, and let strong rival
interests get up among you, and then moth
ing can be DONE Then strike at once and
come to an understanding among yourselves,
and you may consider the victory won.
ALPHA.