The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-12

way and manner. While there are no people, ex-
cep those who are drawn forward by the facilities
which The road alone give, there certainly can
be no din. ulty, as interest is mutual. When Ter
ritory, interests will be the same; and all Legislative
acts must meet the appreciation Of Congress, which
can and will provide for and protect all.
When admitted Stale, Congress will prescribe
the terms and conditions but the people, the lands
and the road become parts and parcels OF the State
subject 10 the same enactments, laws, and regula-
tons "a all other people and properly of the State
save such reservations as may be made by Congress
SO il appears TO me that the State, and people Of the
State, would hold the power the road, not the
road over the people. Its exactions-light and fixed
by Congress-would always be useful to the people
and would never conflict with their interests; bur
the day is past with US for any institution men, or
body Of men, to set themselves up against popular
opinion or popular interest. No such can stand
and your own State, at this moment, is a striking il
lustration Of this fact.
Your fifth and last objection s certainly without
foundation, as | have never proposed TO keep the
lands from sale, or TO raise money upon them Other
than by immediate and direct sales to settlers, both
for money and for part money and part labor upon
the road, thereby affordng the means Of sure sub
sistence until they provide from other resources
II is the sales Of the lands entirely Except per-
haps if necessary for small start or commence
mcnt) that depend and am satisfied that my ex-
Pectations will be fully realized. The very nature
Of the work and case requires that population should
precede or keepapace with it, and the very nature
of the work will force such result. The road cam
not be built Without it; and beyond the Missouri to
the Rocky mountains, and TO the Pacific, If you
please, such enactments may be made by Congress
shall secure to the people the right to purchase OF
possess such lands they may desire; also secure
from the lands the means necessary to complete the
road.
Instead Of blocking up the South Pass, the OPEN
ing of this road would stimulate such food of emf
grafton TO Oregon as would break down all barriers
all opposition. The hope and expectation Of the
road would be to them everything-the strongest
chain which would bind them to us, the best means
Of communication, the proper channel through
which they can receive the protecting care and BEN
ehs Of our free government and the safe avenue by
which they can participate in our prosperity and
glory, the source of all their wealth and social
happiness. Instead of stopping, it would urge on
the current of emigration and could the people be
inimical to such work! No, sir. Mankind gene
rally understand what directly interests in pecuni-
airy point of view, and will foster and protect such
interest. The principle and ground on which have
started is that the road can be built from the public
lands, and that there is no other means by which il
can be done; and you admit the principle and fact.
The details consider unimportant, and have full
faith and confidence in the wisdom and ability of
Congress to fix and decide upon the details neces-
sary for such work.
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
A. WHITNEY.
Hon. 8. A. DOUGLASS,
Washington, ID. C..