Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-03-05
WAYNE COUNTY
HISTORICAL. SOCIETY
Fs.s,n the Caaioa Repository
Oregon Rail Road.


Oregon Rail Road.
There seems 20 DO a waking up on this subicc,
III the aiiercnt sections OF our country. and |
think II woad b we'll for in this section 10 add
our influence - the BALL in order 10 accelerate its
nno.Iou.
\ Rail road from the head of Steamboa, nayi
CATION on tho Missouri to the Pacific Ocean.
would be the most s;upenduous public work The
world ever did, or ever Witnessed; and in its eff
fccts as TO trade and commerce. il would produce
complete revolution. 1t would be infinitely
better for tho [ nited States than canal nc ross
tho lsthmus OF Darien. | estimate the distance
from the Missouri River, near the junction Of
" hite River. to the Pacific ocean. ut point
where a good harbor exists, al about Al deg. 40
min. north latitude, a. 1900 miles. A good sub
s.anilal double track rail road, to cost So, OCO
per mile. will amount TO So, 900 900. Ii should
be q Government work, and the use of it left free
TO competition, with suitable regulations, and SUI
perintended by Government officers. The duties
or tolls just sufficient to keep it in repair. Now
consider is advantages in National point of
view. Our continent stands about midway bc-
tween Europe and Asia. Our western coast
Is about 1000 miles from tho principal
stands of Japan, and about 5000 from Can
toa IN China. Starting III SO high latitude. ves-
sells viii always have a wind. So that the trip can
be mado TO any port IN CHM, from western
coast. III about tho Same time they can be made
to EIEopc. With this rail road. should secure
the whole trade of the islands in tho Pacific o.
cean. of California, and tho western coasts of
South America. Reader ,ako an Atlas and
anime the relative positions of the places above
mentioned, and sec if am not right.
Witt. this Rail Road, what nation the globe
could rival as in the whale Fisheries Of the Pa
cifci What would become Of tho British Hud-
sons Bav Companvl Merged once into A.
merican interests. We should at control
the Northwest Fur Trade, and ship it direct from
Oregon TO CHINA: And what outlet for
Western Load mines, tho produce of which finds
Il ready market in Cnina Oar seaPorts would
attract Europeans for Eas, India goods; we should
supply all the British American Colonies with
India productions III spite OF oil tho Tariffs or
strctons Britain could impose. Every part of
our vast empire would b, benefited by it. 1t would
give at such stimulus and impetus to all
branches of business and trade in the United
States as the world ncvor before witnessed. Tho
public Lands would sell readily to actual settlers
Our revenue from that source alone would be an
preccdened. Capital would flow in from Europe.
New manufactures wouId start up in all parts of
our country, and IN 20 years from its completion
our country would double in its wealth.
Such IS a hasty. but think not ovcrchargcd
outline of the picture. Shall We not, ono and ALL
unto in urging upon the next Congress tho neces-
sty and proprcty of taking up the subject! Let
us LAY aside all party feeling upon the matter, and
90 at it like who wish for their country's
best interest, and can soon bring it about.
There need be no sectional jealousy opposition
to It any wherc--lt will benefit all.
With this mighty internal thoroughfare. we at
once become the most powerful nation on the
globe. We would laugh 10 scorn tho omnipo-
tcnco of Groat Britain. Think what it would
cost her to send fleet into tho Pacific TO cope
with few frigates might advantngeously keep
thcre-wbie I5rittans power would
be scattered all over the world--ours would be
concentrated at few points.
To the government. the cost of this Rail Road
will be but 4 trtic. Tho increased public land
sales would nearly pay the expenses while 1t IS
bong cons:ructoi-prcmlsingt that 1t viii require
about 10 years to construct lt.-Our Florida
War cost us $ 10, O00.O 900 and what have we to
show for tho money, Double that amount, at
most will build this great national road and then
Justly proud of, and the rest Of the world may
Wy. Tho emperor Of Russia is engaged in build
ing rail road from ST. Petcrsburgh to the Cas-
plan Sea, at a cost of 800, 600 900 and yet his
rail road will be insignificant in point of impor-
.ance compared with this. Goods from Canton
may be laid down ST. Louis in weeks. Those
destined for our Eastern cities would go thorough
the Illinois Canal, and down the Lakes-others
would find sleir way to New Orlenns, in a few
DAYS moro. Who does not that ships
would carry these goods TO most of tho ports OF
Northern Europe! Such must inevitably be tho
result. The moment, too, that government
concluded to build the Road, all Northwestern
boundary questions will be at an end.
Interesting statement.