The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-28
From the Ohio Statesman. Nov. 10.
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.

We have placed on our FIRST page, to-day, letter
from MIR. Douglass, the well-known member Of
Congress from Illinois, to Mr. Whitney, in relation
TO the latter genleman's projected railroad TO the
Pacific We commend IL TO the careful attention Of
all our readers IL is especially worthy the attention
OF all who take deep interest in the West as The
matter treated Of is one destined to exert pro.
dgious influence on the western States.
MIR. Douglass, it will be seen from perusal OF
his letter, does not view Mr.. Whitneys project
with favor His objections to il are weighty, and
are set forth with energy and cleaness. His letter
indeed, is the work OF statesman and a scholar,
We freely confess that, with all our preudices in
favor OF Mr.. Whitney's plan, we do not see that
Mr. DougIass's objections admit of ANYTHING like
an answer, though the former gentleman has too
much talent not TO make an atemp, at their re-
moval The great privileges which Mr.. w asks,
and the immense power which the grant Of them
would place in his hands, would make of him a
dangerous eitizen in republic. The IDEAS which
are beginning TO prevail, too, IN some quarters and
which bid fair to extend, not favorable 10 the
public, or 10 the man who may obtain monopoly
so vast as that asked by MIR. Whitney the price
OF his mere project; iH such, in point of fact, IL
must beas all will admit that, the idea once broach-
ed, and the feasibility Of the project demonstrated,
u would be as easy for the public to construct the
road as for the protector himself TO do il. And
even then, MIR. w. would be paid for making use OF
other mems IDEAS the Pacific railroad has been
pfolcct Win many OF our C0untrymen, who
have been impressed with the importance of the
destinies of the United States.
But while we see insuperablc objections to MIR.
Whtneys plan, we are by no means opposed TO
the construction Of railroad TO the Pacific We
believe that such work 10 demanded by every feel
ing that should animate Americans. Mr.. Doug
lass's plan, which is developed in his letter. seems
TO be little open grave objections as anything
that could be named. II makes the road public
work, and does not render Ii the source Of immense
individual wealth, dangerous alike TO the nation and
to its possessor. IL removes all the objections which
sound jealousy Of monop,,lies would be sure to
bring up, and opens up the way Cor the complexion
OF grand enterprise with liule real cause OF
hostility as We believe the wit of man can desire
IL the matter is to be brought before Congress, ut
Its approaching session, for action and the enter
prise is 10 be pushed forward, we hope Mr.. Doug
ass's plan will receive that attention to which il Is
entitled not less from its intrinsic merits than from
the high reputation of its author. That something of
the kind WILL at no distant day, receive the atien-
ton of the national legislature, and at least the in
luatory steps be taken, cannot permit ourselves
to doubt for a moment Such is our opinion, be-
cause the people Of the West must see how deeply
their interest is involved in the construction of the
road. u they are united the NATTER and push il
forward with the resolution and daring which form
so marked traits in their character there can be no
rational cause 10 entertain fears as to the result
Disunion among ourselves, and the paying more re-
gard TO the camors OF small demagogues than to
matters demanding strictest attention, and that
Immediately, can alone postpone the completion Of
work which must change the business relations Of
the world which will make America the first Of
nations, and the West the controlling portion of
America. The West IS generous in It's feelings;
and hence it has been its fate to be sacrificed for the
benefit Of other sections Of the Union. II is time
for different state of things to be brought about
Powerful in numbers, and sure Of controlling the
whole legislation Of the country after the next CEN
sus shall he taken extort that from the fears
of our enemies which il would be vain to expect
from their generosity Let us, then, move in this
matter and push forward towards that goal of
which our far-sighted men have already had
gmpses. We shall thus accomplish something
worthy Of ourselves, of our country, and Of man.
kind, and, by the construction Of a road compared
to which the Appian Way will seem to dwindle to
by, path, make the whole world tributary to the
West, whose power will then be equal to that
which has been predicted for it by the wises, of our
statesmen,