Conclusion

The two sides of the Yankton railroad sage ratify the observations and theories of Alexis de Tocqueville and James Madison. The risk-taking ambition and initiative demonstrated by the County’s residents in undertaking to sponsor on their own a new railroad into the Territory reflects Tocqueville’s views about the enterprising nature of Americans. At the same time, that ambition also confirms Tocqueville’s fears that American initiative might not be sufficiently restrained by caution. But perhaps the biggest risk and obstacle to Yankton County in its railroad efforts involved the inherent corruption within the territorial system, as well as the Madison-predicted corruption occurring when the federal government’s power had outstripped its political restraints.