Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-06-12
8attand 9ailp 9rald.
,uFRUTLAND HERALD.
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1878.
yuE NORTHERN PACIFIC.

We have the gratifying intelligence
that over one quarter of the line of the
Nortbern Pacific railroad is completed,
and open topassenger and freight traffic.
The immediate benefits arising therefrom
.,jll be reaped by Minnesota, Dakotaand
Montana, in the rapid settlement of their
territory and u largely increased wealth
and prosperity, while means of trans
n,rtatiou will be at hand for the products
of tbeir soil and mines. The mere ease
Of communication, and the increased
facilities thereof, from the Missouri river
md its branches to the Mississippi, and
thence eastward, would mark this as an
event in the history of the northwest,
bat there are other considerations which
contribute to the importance of the
achievement It assures the speedy com
,oIrti6a OF the line from Duluth to Pu-
.gl', sound, and forms competing line
nttuilroaG between the Atlantic and Pa
sifc II opens up one of the richest
tarnanz regions in the United States, as
well a. being an immence lumber region
to the threshold of tide-water. 1t Is es-
Hmatcd, by those who are familiar with
the route, that the great wheat growing
fields of the world will be located
on the westerly side Of the Missouri,
through Montana, Dakota and in some
parts of Oregon This county is now
comparatively unsettled, but Judging
from the manner in which emigration
followed the building Of this first divis-
3on from Duluth to Bismarck, the day is
NOT far distant when this bowling will
,d,oness" " viii. be filled with fruitful
farms and thriving towns and villages,
Heeming with hardy, industrious,
wealth producing population. Ii is not
.rr, -ising, then, that the people are
cn1ahro, 'ng the event. :"
Aid, H. effect is felt and new lines
Nl.e"uy .I. ", ,tght are opened, rail
Tor traVel ana fF' ~nunication being
road and water COZ : England to
unobstructed from NeN. - IS
western Montana, and shi lat are
both government and private frcl- ", Is
being made over the new route ALI
joy and congratulation now, and will,
probably, SO continue uptil the COM
pletiQn Of the entire road anditS branches
When this is accomplished, some wise
men will make the astounding discovery
that the projectors of the enterprise or
fha fr,, f,N. 4 he ,F
the road-ahd, perhaps, both - have
made over six. per cent profit on their
capital invested The road WILL then,
be an assured fact, the difficulties, dan
gers and risks of surveys and construc-
ton will be an old and forgotten story.
No one viii recall that the engineers
surveyed and located the road, protected
from Indian inroads by United States |
soldiers, or that the grading and track
laying Yas only accomplished by similar
means. The lands which the company
receive will rapidly appreciate in value
and readily command large prices, but
the fact will be conveniently ignored |
that they could not be sold then or now
for any price, but for the construction
Of the Northern Pacific railroad 1t will |
be easierand, perhaps, more popular to
scowl and snarl, and accuse these men
of robbing the country, of creating a
vast monopoly, of grinding down the
people, briblng legislators, corrupting
jurors and retaining attorneys, than it
will be to recount the risks and dangers,
commend the enterprise, appreciate the |
accruing benefits TO the country, the
world and humanity, and allow the pro-
jectors to enjoy their honestly and hard
ly earned profits, if, perchance, there
should be any. The Northern Pacific is
having its day of triumph and rejoicing
now, but, judging by the past and pres
ent, it will be followed by unjust ac-
,-,isations and an endeavor to deprive
them ott their laurels.