Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-06-24

teuueu tDe intercourse Inc more extended
will be the exchange of commodities. Ii
now requires ten or twelve months to per.
form voyage to China and back hence
our commerce and intercourse so small and
limited in the articles we take from them
and they from us, but build this road and
we are but thirty days from them. When
our commerce will be extended in the same
proportion as the time and danger are d.
minished TO get them, our frequent inter
course will discover new articles which lhey
can take from us aud we from them. And
what must he the moral aud religious cffec,
The savage, the barbarian and the heaihcn
must be brought in. From this picture you
will see the importance Of Oregon to US,
you will see that Oregon is vet TO be the
most important.par of the globe and you
will see that without this road il is lost TO us,
and become separate nation, controlling the
most important commerce of all the world
The people of Oregon, and all west OF the
mountains from Panama 10 so degrees 40
minutes north, will claim the benefits of our
government, its care and its protection but
without this road our protection, cur care
and benefits cannot be extended to them,
and we must lose them. A sea voyage to
them requires six months 10 get them over
the mountains more, therefore you give up
Oregon, for without, it must, it will be a
seperate nation, or belong TO some of the
powers Of Europe Republics around us
soon would have the same results as mon
arches, would soon force us into the Euro
pean system of standing army. This is
no bugbear, the history of past ages show
but too plainly the fact. Then let US not be
initiating the past, but hasten on TO the destiny
which the future promises to US.
Though this is subject so vast, still
every man in our broad and widespread
country can comprehend, can understand
it is as simple as for the farmer to plant his
seed, till the ground, and time and season
brings forth his crop. And what would be
said Of that man who would refuse efforts SO
small for promise so great aud SO sure
| call upon all, every man to look at and
examine this subject. 1t is you, my coun-
trymen, who are. to do this great work, and
how are you to do it BY your simple assent.
You one and all must say, let it be done,
and it shall be done. | ask no man for one
cent | ask not that any man shall be taxed
one farthng. [ ask not that any mans
rights shall be abridged or inringed. ask
not that any shall be evaded. ask not that
our glorious Constitution shall be violated
But ask what you and you only have power
to give and ask it for yourselves, for your
children, and for the world. | ask it now,
because now and now only can this great
work be done. 1t can never be done by any
other means than from the lands, and il is
from the lands from the Lake to the Missouri
that the whole must depend. Five years
hence. much of these lands. will be taken
up, and then ii cannot be done. Yes, nov
and now only is the time. Let me entreat
you, yes, beg you, 10 act All ask is your
simple assent, your expressed appreciation
have studied this subject so long that
think understand all its parts. think
have counted well the cost | think | can
SEQ all that may be said against, as well as
for it. am not only prepared, but desire
TO hear all. If wrong desire to be put
right but if right | ask and | claim your
support, and | feel that ask not in vain.
If my prayer is granted, and the project
fails, you lose nothing, the lands are yours
again. But if il succeeds, and | am sure il
will, you gain all. Then hesitate not il is
all in your power-you and you only must
declare and dictate that it shall be done.
A. WHITNEY.
New York, 5h May, 1915.