North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-08-14
uS. rDac,na RAILWAY.

The rapid advancement of civilization
in modern times, rs compared to times
more rem ote, is one Of the most surprising
characteristics Of the age. ......
The civilization Of ancient peoples, tho
frequently exceeding, in certain directions,
any that modern times can boast, lacked
the progressive element. 1t was, seeming
lv.l Intensified by its restricted limits
Rome, which closely resembled modern
nations in her ambition for territorial az
crandiaement, attained high social polish
only within her city walls. On the side of
the narrow boundary, the arts and science
cs flourished in their highest perfection !;
on the opposite side, barbarianism surged
up to the city gates. The light of civilza-
ton was intensified by surrounding
darkness which its rays seemed impotent to
dispel.
Such was the most remarkable charac-
teristic of heather civilization. Christian
ity brought into the world new element,
and gave to civilization what, before, it
had seemed to lack, the power of procrea-
ton. The injunction of Christ to His
apostlcs,1 ito 60 forth aud preach the gospel
60 all nations, has been most wonderfully
illustrated in the advancement of civiliza-
ton wherever the light of the Christian
gospel has been carried.
Among the greatest of modern agencies
In this advancement has been the steam
engiHe, and perhaps greater than all 9TH
ers has been the application of this engine
to the purposes Of focomotion. Tie Rail.
way has accomplished in single year
more than all other agencies combined
have been able to accomplish in decade.
The Pacific railway furnishes, perhaps,
the best illustration of this fact that could
be cited. That road from its commence
ment has been combat of civilization
against barbarism. Every mile of track
laid down has been victory of the former
over the latter. Every rail, as it extended
the iron line a little farthor into tl.o uni,r-
habited plain, has carried with it the light
of ,Christianity in a more effective manner
than it could be done by all the sectarian
preachers in the world. For where Chris
( tianity travels by steam it travels not to
return, but to- make an abiding place in
the land.
Such abiding places are springing up,
as by magic, all along the line of the Pa
cific railway, where, three years ago, civil
ization had never set foot. 1t is difficult to
comprehend the wonderful fact that, be-
tween Omaha and the Rocky Mountains,
more than fifty towns have already started
into existence, and, five hundred miles be-
yond what we speak of as ''the border of
civilization" a city is located, not yet
three NOR tbs old, where lotsSre sold by
the front foot Are we realizing in Amer
lea the visions Of the "Arabian Nights ?'
For this wonder is not vision, but re-
ality. Before another year is past, the
pvo 81 81.
tain will be saluted by the smoke of indus
try, rising from FORCES where busy work.
men are fashioning civilization in the far
Oft city of Cheyenne.
Regarding the subject more practically,
the Pacific railway is the agency that is
about to solve three important problems in
the progress OF civilization on this CONT
nent. First, it will settle the Indian ques-
ton. ss4nTwhat particular way that yexed
and much-abused question will be finally
disposed of cannot quite yet be foreseen /;
but that it will soon be settled in definite
way admits of very little doubt, and the
building Of the Pacific railway is that
which wHshaye brought about the result
Barbarism "must get out of the way when
the bell rings" or be run over by the train
which is hurrying civilization across the
continent at speed never before equaled
1t will settle the Mormon question
Whether polygamy be 'relie of barbar-
ISM or not, it is an institution that cam
not bear the light of Christian civilization.
The Paddle railway will pour into the val
ley Of Salt Lake a tide of immigration
composed of other than religious fanatics,
before which polygamy will pass away
more surely and more speedily than before
an army with bayonets, however numer-
Gus. If the Mormons hope to retain ei,-ir
peculiar institution, they must build wall
between them and the Pacific railway
which engineering science cannot penetrate
or scale, for the locomotive is more dam
gerous to its existence than all the weap-
ons Of power and Puritanism Combined =
Chicago Times.