The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-12-17
Our Railroads.

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past that the Railroad interests Of Kan
sas are in as bad condition as our en-.
emies could wish or our friends regret.
The great through route. upon whic h
must dQend the ultimate prosperity of
q large portion Of the State. the main
artery Of the railroad system from whose
great pulsations al the branching
arteries and veins vii derive their vital
ity. is in the hands of capitalists of a
rival State. and they are at legal war
with rival company. Thus. SO far as
Kansas is concerned. we are q, the mercy
of rivals and oar rights involved in
litigation which has every appearance
of being tedious, bitter and destructive
Of our best interests.
And We fear there 10 no remedy. Ifl
our people we're united there would be
hope; bu. they:are not. Every town of
any note in the State is aspiring 10 be
the place of Importance and the curse
of local prejudice and division. distract
Ing and dividing our couusels. renders
almost hopeless any attempt that may
be made to remedy the evils around US
by ulity Of action.
We have spoken Of this subject before
and endeayored to point out the true
policy of this State; bat the blindness
oflocal prejudice appears to have settled
down deeply and darkly upon the eyes
Of . large portion of our people. and
they will not see the truth and act up
on it. ~
One thing is certain rs fate. namely.
that along the Missouri river. from St.
Joseph to Kansas City. there will be the
great city Of this region-the CIrr OF
rHx PLAINS. That is settled; and the
only question for Kansas to determine
is whether Ue shall have that city, or
whether it shall be in Missouri. Nature
and the laws Of trade give it to Us, and
only our folly viii lose the prize.
Il is q law Of trade that the bank OF
stream or the shore Of sea or lake
nex. the country whence heavy ship
menis-such as produce and stock
are mace, is the one where commercial
cities grow up. Look at all our cities.
especially at Cincinnati. St. Louis. Chi
cago. Milwaukee, Philadelphia. Baiti-
uore-every where the rule holds good.
Hence, the western or Kansas side Of
the Missouri river is the natural bank
on which the city of the plains should
grow. and wM grow if not prevented
BY negligence and folly. The reason is
obvious. Heavy produce ieMe hands
of tie producer, seeks TO avoid toll Of
fesriage. and its natural course is out
card from the soil on which 1t is grown.
The shipment Of goods and ligh'e' lab
RIGS from east to wes, lin This country
ds.s no, effect the growth Of cities.
These things being true. and the
proof of them being before us on every
stream and lake 1T would seem AS tho
only folly could rob US ct the prize
which even now is within our grasp.
Our own opinion is that even no"
the ;question is narrowed down to the
two points. Lesvenwor.h and Kansas
CITY. and that we. as State, must make
choice between the two. In some re-
spec,s Kansas City has advantages; but
the wickedness Of the rebels Of Missouri
has thrown impediments 10 the way of
The growth Of that city which far over
l,al.uce any real or supposed advantage
she may have had before: and now
Leavsuw orth is far aheld Of her 10 ev
cry respect. Thus the events OF the
t;mes-Proyidences = give into our
hands the very elements Of success we
need.
Bat at this point up start rivals and
By thsir sel6shness appear determined
70 snatch the good from tie State. aud
By squandering our means. and iri'er-
ing away our strength. build up rSai.
Lawrence wishes to be the city; but
tha. is simply an impossibili'y from her
location. The nation does not furnish
her an sxsnple upon which TO build a
hope Of success. Atchison has claims,
hat she is not in the situation either.
io our judgmert-snd the future will
pr,ve whether We are correct-to WIN
she Pain. Lssvenvorth has the prestige.
the trade and the capital. and tie les
hills with which she is environed-not
nj all formidabie-are really no barriers
$ : sor,h contepding about. Should We
x,temp, 10 build up another city a. any
. ..bxr point, we lose several years in time,
ioae Al ne aow haze gained. lose The