The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-11-30
IA flroade--Their Great Value Need
ed LEGISLATION.


There i 30 much of truth and beauty
ia the following extract of an address OF
Col. W. I. Villas, Wisconsin orator,
upon the theme, Railroads and Farm
ers," that we cannot resist copying 1t for
the enjoyment of our readers:
Your lands derive their value, your IN
dustry its reward, your homes the Injuries
and many of the comforts they exhibit, from
the weIl-abused railroads of the continent.
In the beautiful language Of that noble lover
of human liberty, once the pride and orna-
ment Of Wisconsin, Supreme bench, the
lamented Byron Paine Railroads are the
great public highways of the world, along
which the gigantic currents of trade and
travel continuously pour-highways COM
pared with which the most magnificent
highways ofantiquity dwindle into lnslgnlh-
canoe. They are the most marvellous lnVen-
tionsof modern times. They have done more
TO develop the wealth and resources, 70 stlm-
ulate the industry, reward the labor, and
promote the general comfort and prosperity
OF the country than any other, and perhaps
than all other mere physical causes COM
bined. There is probably not man,
woman or child whose interest or comfort
has not been in some degree subserved by
them. They bring to our doors the produc-
tlons of the earth. They enable US to an
ticipate and protract the seasons. They
scatter the productions of the press and lit
erature broadcast though the country, with
amazing rapidity. There is scarcely want,
wish, or aspiration of the human heart
which they do not in some measure tend to
crafty. They promote the pleasures of
social life and of friendship, they bring the
skilled physician swiftly from a distance TO
attend the sick and the wounded, and enable
the absent friend to be present at the bed
side of the dying They have more than
realized the fabulous conception of the East
ern Imagination, which pictured the genii
as transporting inhabited palaces through
the air They take train of inhabited
palaces from the Atlantic coast, and, with
marvellous swiftness, deposit it on the shores
that are washed by the Pacific seas. In war
they transport the armies and supplies of
the Government with the greatest CELEBRITY,
and carry forward, as it were on the wings
of the wind, relief and comfort to those who
are stretched bleeding and wounded on the
field of battle"
But while we do them justice, let US not
forget there are doubtless many faults to be
corrected and abuses to be reformed i'll the
administration of these highways. Corpor-
ate powers and corporate values have add
vanced with "a more rapid step than the in
vention of our statesmen and Lawmakers.
The agency of the corporation is compare
lively modern, and, like the agency of steam,
is mighty power. Unless subdued by
proper appliances of law sufficient to con-
troll it, we are liable to disasters ruinous to
our welfare. as the accidents which some
times befall the train are destructive of life.
But must not protract this weary hour
to discuss this problem foreign to my sub
jeet Important as it is We need not fear it.
The railroad, rightly used, is the friend OF
the farmer and the whole people. 1t is the
paramount interest of its owners that it
should so remain. They dare not make it
an enemy, and when we reflect that a single
invention-the steel rail--has reduced the
freight taritf40 per cent. we may trust some
what to time and genius to relieve the in
and continue to enjoy its
blessings with composure.