Lancaster Gazette

RAILROADS.

Since the discussion of the House touching the Boston and Albany Railroad Bill, the question of Internal Improvement has been agitated several times. We should have been indeed very glad had the original bill passed, which provided that the particular route should be designated by the directors and stockholders. But when the amendment prevailed, introduced by a most determined enemy to the bill, we, on the whole, though somewhat disappointed, did not feel that a death blow had been given to the entire subject. We should be glad of any route to the west. Of course we should feel no regret in having one pass through our own valley—the beautiful valley of the Nashaway. This is on the surveyed line of the proposed railroad from Boston to Brattleborough: and since the survey, showing with how little elevation the mountains may be passed, we feel much confidence in the feasibility and excellence of this route. There is now no other project that need necessarily interfere with it.

One thing we would remark in relation to the Report of the Board of Directors on the survey from Boston to Albany, that is, we think that the report and the estimates contained in it, and by implication the Directors themselves, have been treated in a very unfair and ungentlemanly manner in the debates on the subject during the present session. We have no disposition to enlarge upon this matter, for it is unpleasant to dwell upon occasions of difference: but this much we wish to say. We would here, and everywhere, and at all times express our cordial and hearty thanks to the gentlemen composing this board, for their arduous and unrequited services. They have, in their report of last year, presented to the publick a greater mass of facts, calculations, and information than we have had from all other quarters together. Indeed, it is to them principally that the community is indebted for what knowledge they have of the subject. We deem that spirit a very poor and mean one that refuses the just tribute of praise to the directors or their generous services. They are benefactors to us in a large amount: for in addition to the information they have diffused, they have excited a firm purpose in the enlightened part of the publick, which is daily gaining strength, to persevere till some good end is answered, and till the system of internal improvements by railroads shall be adopted. We look to this adoption, sooner or later, and indeed at no distant day, with as much confidence as we look to any event of life. Already the day has passed when it was fashionable and somewhat popular to laugh at this proposed mode of improving internal communication. Facts and arguments have been offered that have come with convincing force, and the truth of this year has passed the bounds of what was a creation of the imagination the last year.

The gentlemen composing the committee, who directed the survey on the Boston and Brattleborough route, must not pass unnoticed. They have been assiduous in their efforts, and have strengthened in our own neighbourhood the favourable opinion of this route, and to the west of us have conciliated prejudice, and gained many adherents to the good cause. We hope their reward will be found in the thanks of the citizens, in the successful passage of the bill to establish this route, in a disposition of all who are able to subscribe to the stock, and in a disposition, too, among the land holders to permit the passage of the railroad over their lands without looking to the recompense. A higher recompense than a few dollars in damages they will find in the increased value of their lands, and the enlarged population of their neighbourhood.

If the State should not consent to take part in the bill now before the Legislature, some guaranty must be provided, by which the stockholders may feel confidence that neither they nor their successors shall be disturbed in the enjoyment of their property. We deem this the more necessary as our confidence in certain bodies is more than shaken by the law of 1828, establishing a new bridge. We should be glad to have the whole business of improving our internal communication carried on by the Commonwealth; as in New-York, the great canal. That would destroy all conflicting claims of individuals, all rights and counter-rights—and place the whole matter within the control of the Legislature. But this cannot be. The people, by a very distinct expression of their voice, say nay; and who then can say yea, to any purpose? Majorities are sometimes wrong, and indeed it is so often that the wheel comes full circle, and that what is generally scorned one day, is even embraced on another day, that we have pretty much lost our confidence in them. We never thought them infallible, and experience has taught us that they are peculiarly fallible. For they are often led away by excitement: the crafty envelop them in thick darkness, till often they cannot distinguish right from wrong, truth from error. This of course is a general remark, not applying to any particular majorities nor any particular question. Still we are among those who believe that the judgement of the community is in the end generally correct. It often indeed takes some time to get at this judgement, and to get over the first delusion of the sic volo of the majority; and many times it comes lagging on too late, when the good opportunity is gone forever.
It is with pleasure we notice the interest felt in Vermont, in endeavouring to open to that State, and permanently secure to it, the New-England Market, by connecting themselves with Boston. Meetings have been held in various places. The project is for a railroad from Boston through Lowell, Concord, N. H. thence through the Valley of Onion River to Lake Champlain, and thence to the waters of Lake Ontario, at Ogdensburg. This indeed would be a noble affair. It would open an immense country to our seaboard, and be the means of binding three of the New-England States together, by more numerous and important ties. It would also open to us, during the most important parts of the year a valuable trade with Canada. This measure is sufficiently extensive to authorize the interest taken in it, and to authorize also an application to the General Government for aid.

In conclusion, we would express our hope and belief that our Legislature will not rise till they have accomplished something in favour of internal improvements.