West-Jersey pioneer., 1865-08-12
Tus INFLuENcE OF RAILROADS

slotb of the mails, and the general inconveni-
ence which had to be endured before railroads
were introduced. Our own citizens can scarce
" realize the change from the past to the
nresent. The /" old stagers." Lloyd and Par
win. used to dash in town, covered with dust,
with .s four in hand i" and, as the cry echoed
along our streets" The stage is coming t''-
men, women and children rushed to their
fronts as il to venerate what was then an in
stitutiop. Those veteran 1ehus were impor-
tant men in their day, as they came in our
midst with news from all nations numbering
at their bscks p and stage e-drivers were at that
time respected as the business agents OF SO
oiety. With them WAS entrusted large sums
of money. immense business transactions, and
confidential interests, which demanded stage
driver 10 be prudent, feticent and honest
Few men were forced, by the nature OF then
business, TO assume greater responsibilities
Bgt. the advent of railroads, the First of
which atss constructed between New Castle
and Frenchtoun, Deb. gradually consigned
stace-cosches to oblivion, snd done away with
all the yexations of baulky horses, bad roads,
swollen streams, breakages and mishaps OF all
kinds. Where the slow coach OF old once
numbered along, the iron horse dashes onward
with lightning speed. the shril whistle warn
ing all TO ssclear the track, with an imper-
iousness that brooks no obstacle to the mon
arch OF the highway.
The Newcastle and Frenchtown Railroad
NAV be Justly styled the pioneer OF progress
siye movement, which has added millions OF
wealth to every State in the Union. 1t would
,eouire the wisdom of Solomon, blended with
the highest mathematical attainmer rs, TO cor
rectlv estimate the advantages whicf rallroadS
have secured to society. Great, however, as
these results have been, their incipieney met
with prejudice and hostility of no ordinary
character. 1t was considered too broad
chasm between the past and present to leap
with any degree of certainty. Hence, when
the movement in 1880 was commenced, which
eliminated in the charter of the Camden
Amboy Railroad Company, in 1882, that COM
many encountered hostility from tie g do-as-
daddy-did - portion of the community, which
seriously threatened its defeat. But, look at
New Jersey then, and look at it now. The
careful observer, who has noted the rapid de-
yeIopment of our resources, the uprising OF
towns and villages, the barren land made pro-
ductive. the increase of population and busi-
ness. the march of intelligence, and felt the
civilzing and Christianizing benefits of pro-
gressiye age, must. if he is a candid man, at
tribute this wonderful change to the influence
of railroads.
In view OF all tne Deneuts sonIerrvu upon
society, how shall we estimate the amount of
gratitude due the projectors of the first rail-
road across New Jersey? Wealthy men, ac-
tuated by State pride which puts the blush
of shame upon the present selfish age, risked
their fortunes in the enterprise, when discour-
aged by the scepticisnl. ridicule, and the pre-
dictons of those who desired to be no false
prophets. Some of moderate means jeopar-
died their all, and battled for what many
tern ed &c mere hobby" until success battered
down the walls of prejudice. Year after year
public confidence increased, until the most
violent opponents, from convictions based
. upon advantages received, acknowledged rail
roads to be necessity instead of chimerical
experiment. Eo-i
From the hour in which the Camden and
Amboy Railroad was completed, may be dated
the reclamation of New Jersey from the COM
parative Insignificant position she occupied as
an agricultural and manufacturing State. The
blessings conferred upon every locality through
which it passed, awakened an interest in rail-
roads, which has led them, step by step,
through barren sands, rocky soil, over marshes,
under mountains, and every foot of long-ne-
elected land within reach of them, has been
made tributary to the comfort of man and to
the resources Of the country. &C Where we
branch we root,'' is an applicable motto to the
as one which gave confidence in railroads
throughout the United States, and from which
sprung the thousands of miles of iron track
that unites one State with another, and ami
hilates distance. What would the great pro-
ductiye West do to-day without them 2 We
might meet meagre towns on her water cour
ses, but the expansive, productive heart of the
interior, which now buds and blossoms with
the earth's richness, would still be wilderness.
But, if we are indebted to the C. & A. R.
Co. for the example which gave an impetus to
railroads in every other State, how much more
are Jerseymen indebted to it, for having felt
its radiating influences in the most barren sec
tions of our State? We will not speak of the
;f,ya af CT tvhiob hos, 10
suburb. if not part, of New York. We have
progressive changes sufficient in or own vi
cinity to awaken the conscious obligations Of
South Jersey, the railroads Of which owe their
existence to the liberal and muniicent spirit
the G. g. A.R.Co. Prior to the construction
of the West Jersey Railroad, we had many
acres of unproductive land in this vicinity,
which are now made to yield abundantly; and
what may be said Of this county may be said
of the whole district; for the Camden and At
1antic Railroad has accomplished for the upper,
what the West Jersey has for the lower, por-
ton. Forests of pine and scrub oak have
given place to waving grain, golden harvests,
luxuriant vegetables, and tempting fruits
Lana tnat cOulu DC DouShl ioi ~ P0i "Nio,
now cost $50. The masses have access to the
pleasures Of sea-shore recreation, products
find ready market, and capital and business
is daily expanding. Cities, towns and villages |
spring mp along every railroad route, and tax
able property is aeeumulating, giving reve- |
nue. to the State aud country, where mono was |
contributed before.
Need we point to our own city of Bridgeton,
and its unprecedented business increase, as
the result of railroads? If evidence of their |