The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-12-25
Enthusiastic Railroad Meeting in wyando,,

neld IN tnls city on Saturday last. Dr. y.
P. Root was appointed President; Hon.
VIM. Mckay, Col. Geo. s. Park, William
Millar, Esq, and Hon. J. W. Wright, Vice
Presidents Messrs. Heberton, Macauley
and Macdonald, Secretaries.
Mr.. Clough was the first speaker. He
made an able argument in. favor of the
construction Of the Parkville and Grand
River road. Complimented us handsome
ly for our enterprise, and said that the
adoption of wise policy in regard to
Railroads, would give US permanent ad-
vantage over rival towns.
Judge Wright followed. He showed
the advantages to Wyandott of a connec-
ton with the Hannibal Road. Said we
could thus obtain goods at low rates of
freight, as there would be active cOmpe-
tition between the Hannibal and Pacific
Roads to secure the immense trade we
could furnish.
Col Park made an earnest appeal in
behalf of the Road to Cameron. Hoped
the people would subscribe literally to
the stock of the Road, and work for it.
Mr.. Mcclure, member of the Missouri
Legislature, made an eloquent and forci-
bic speech in favor of the Immediate con-
struction of the Hannibal Branch Road to
Parkville. He pledged the hearty coop
Grafton Of the people of Missouri; and the
Legislative. He was listened to with
marked attention, and warmly applauded.
It being ascertained that Gen. Burnett,
our new Surveyor General, was in the
ROOM ba xvas oolIad far Ha rocpopdaJ
in short address in which he touched up
on our commercial advantages, the neces-
sity of Pacific Railroad, the vast trade
it would command, and the importance of
the Kansas gold discoveries, as rendering
its speedy construction certain.
The meeting was a great success, and
the people are fully awake to the impor-
lance of the subjects discussed.
W. Y. Roberts made an able speech in
support of the Road, after which vote
was taken on proposition that the town
take stock in the road to the amount of
three hundred thousand dollars, which
was unanimously acceded to. Mr.. R. made
a report in favor of the construction of the
Kansas Valley Railroad, as follows:
| ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS OF THE
RAILROAD CONVENTION. - The subject
of railroad communication in every d.
rection from this point, is one that is
not confined in its importance to the
narrow limits of city, nor yet is it
circumscribed by the boundaries of our
extensive Territory, but is an enterprise,
the importance of which is being felt in
all parts Of our Union.
Cast your eye upon the map of the
United States, and draw lines from its va
rious important border localities to their
opposite, and you will find these lines
crossing each other at this point. Look
at the general geography of our country,
and at this place you will find peculiar
concentration of interests. Examine the
CONFORMATION of the country, North, South
and West of us, and it alike points to
Wyandott as focus of trade.
The rapid settlement and improvement
of the Kansas valley and the whole east
ern portion of the Territory, promoted by
our mild climate, healthful atmosphere
and rich soil, the recent discovery of gold
on our western borders, together with the
important treaties recentlyconcluded with
China and the Japanese Empire, by which
the immense trade of these countries is
about to be opened to our Pacific Coast,
have given increased importance to the
great national enterprise, the construction
of railroad across the continent, by which
the commerce of Asia will be thrown into
the heart of the nation and find its way
to our eastern seaboard and to Europe
The people Of all sections of the Union
are beginning to look with anxious and
hopeful expectation for its speedy compile
ton.
Routes are being examined, plans are
being canvassed, and capital, of which oul
country has large unemployed surplus
is looking anxiously in that direction fol
investment.
That the Kansas valley presents the
most advantageous route for the great
central stem of the Pacific road, is strik-
ingly manifest, even to those who know
nothing of the route except what they
gather from the study of the geography Of
the country, but to us, who have become
familiar with the facts from actual obser-
walton, this truth is most unquestionably
demonstrated.
For your consideration, allow US to pre-
sent few of its more prominent points Of
superiority over other routes proposed.
LIST. 1t is central to the Union, being or
the 39th parallel of Nerth latitude, alike
accessible to the North and the South, and
hence relieved from the objection as a ma.
tional work, that of being sectional.
I'd. By this route the road will pass
through the center of valley, due Wes
for distance of over six hundred miles
Astounding in all the natural elements Of
mineral, agricultural and manufacturing
wealth which, when developed by the
construction of that portion Of the road
will find local trade amply sufficient tc
make the stock of the road good invest
ment, independently of the through bust
ness, for the accommodation of which it
construction is chiefly designed.
Sd. Its peculiar adaptation to latera
connections, by which an immensely rich
valuable and extensive country would b
opened to American enterprise, and thu
business of the Trunk road generally aug
mented. From Lawrence a branch roac
may diverge 20 the South, opening thu
rich fields and gold mines of Southern
Kansas and the Cherokee country, West
ern Texas, and finally reach tide water a
Galveston bay and link the heart of tn,
republic with the extreme South, anC
build up at that point a great seapor
city, soon to become the pride of tn
gulf.
At Topeka a lateral road will diverg
and develop the resources of Southwest
ern Kansas, and afford railroad facilities Il
the rich mines of New Mexico, and great
ly increase the immense commerce of tina
most interesting portion of our vast int
| rior, the trade Of which is, even now, suf
ficient to Justify the construction of roa'
for its sole accommodation.
| On the North side of the river tn
Stranger, the Big Blue, the Grasshoppe
fo-l~ fall