Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-12-12


nost rapid development had been made in
he new world. Our country was adapted
o the people and the people to the coun-
ry. The age in which we live is remar-
kable one. Instead Of the slow methods |
,f travel Of years past We nov fly over the
country annihilating time and space. But
! few days ago he had been travelling amid
he rains and storms on the plains Of Kan
sas, and was now in the heart Of Parke
county being scarcely able to realize the
The Telegraph is the twin
brother Of Railroads. BY the one merch-
andize of the Atlantic seaboard is laid at
our doors in the space Of three days-by
the other We are enabled to read yester
days proceedings of Congress at our
breakfast tables this morning.
The opening of this road put the people
of Parke county in immediate connection
with all the rest of mankind.
Enumerating the benefits to be derived
from the opening of this road,-the in
creased value of real cstate-the advance
in the price of produce and the reduction
in the cost of goods consumed-the speaker
expressed his establishment that people
should oppose the construction of railroads
or should be so illiberal in their subscrip-
tions towards them.
The speaker referred to the wonderful
results produced in the State OF New York
by her system of railroads making the
whole State garden ss it were, and pla-
cling market almost at the gate of every
farm. The fact that the aggregate pro
ducts of the new States diminish, while
in old States they are increasing, is in con
sequence Of the facility with which dress
ing aud fertilizers for the soil can be pro-
cured in regions where railroads are nu-
nerous.
In like manner is Great Britain increas-
ing her productions by steam. Her exten
sive manufactures develope tho mechanical
resources of the country, and furnish a
market for the consumption of the products
of the soil.
Were our country as densely populated
it would be necessary TO developc more
rapidly and increase the productions OF our
soil for their maintainance-bu were these
resources properly developed, our country
is capable of maintaining population
which it would be utterly impossible to
enumerate.
The Wabash Valley surpasses all other
regions in the richness of her soil, and il
would be far better 10 develope the re-
sources Of the country than to emigrate to
the farther West. The present famine in
Kansas is not the result of accident but OF
the memorable laws Of nature. While the
eastern and western slopes Of tho continent
derive their rains from the antic and
Pacific oceans, being elimin ated from the
clouds by the Allegheny and Rocky
Mountains the Mississippi Valley re-
ceives its moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
This is often condensed by the cold winds
from the Northwest before reaching the
plains OF Kansas.
Hence the necessity of develo ping the
resources Of our own country thereby in
creasing our comforts, our happiness and
our wealth.
The speaker did not think wealth abso-
lutely necessary 10 happiness, but consid-
cred il very convenient element in pro-
ducing happiness.
After reviewing the early history of Rail
Roads in our State, and illustrating the
absolute superiority Of this medium Of
travel aHd commerce by the fact that Rail
Roads arc being constructed along the
canals and rivers, the speaker portrayed
the vast benefits 10 accrue 10 Parke county
by the opening Of this road. aud paid a
well merited and glowing compliment to
the gentlemen who have been engaged 10
It's construction especially TO Gen. George
K. Steele, who has been tho active Super
ntendent and financier, and 10 Mr.. John
Ingle, the President Of the road. No other
men could have dono tho work al this
limo as have these mon. Tho success Of
The road now depends on the people OF
Parkc county.
Passing from this the speaker concluded
by expressing the belief that our railroads
will serve to a great extent TO bind together
ibis glorious Union. and regretted that
hero we're not railroads leading direct
rom Boston, Mass, and Oberlin, Ohio. TO
Charleston. He believed that the Pacific
Railroad was fixed fact, aud whether the
government built il or not, that still il
you'd be built aud that right speedily.
The names OF Rose aud Griswold he
aid were intimately connected with thoss
Il Ingle and Steele in the building Of this
road, and upon these men he
passed a glowing eulogy. aud closed by
Wishing that the future of this road might
'e as prosperous as The celebration OF its |
opening had been joyous and happy.
COL Nelson followed in "a short aud clio
Iuent speech. endorsing the arguments ]
nd declarations of Col. Thompson. declar
ng that the construction Of this road du-
ing the time of political excitement and
financial embarrassment, had entitled the
'uilders TO all honor, and especially Gen.
steele, who. in building this road, had
'uilt for himself in the hearts Of the people
{ Parke county n monument more durable
han marble.
Mr.. John Ingle succeeded him in few
cry sensible remarks. He said last Thurs
ay we had set apart 10 give thanks TO Al
Mighty God. This Thursday was set apart
, give praise to maa. He, too, paid ear
eat compliments 10 Gen. Steele. Chancey
lose aud w. ID. Griswold. He closed by
rgiug upon the people Of Parkc the utility
now building good highways through
mir county 10 the Railroa
Gen. Steele was then called on and ex-
ressed his hign appreciation of the honor