The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-18

should be compelled to send back all the specie
the course oftrade may now bring to us, and the
result would be much more unfavorable than in
the event of there having been no movement in
specie at all.
The RAILROAD TO The PACIFIC entire prac-
tcabihty of constructing railroad to connect the
waters of the great lakes with those of the Column
bia River and the Pacific Ocean, is, we believe,
firmly established; and this fact once confirmed
II needs but the Impotence of the work to our
country, in a commercial and political point of
view, TO be known and understood by the people,
VIXEN commencement will be made, and an
impetus given to the enterprise, that will not stop
till the distance between st. Louis and the mouth
of the Columbia River, can be accomplished in
less than eight days.
We have on several occasions attempt
ed to estimate the important advantages that
were to follow from the building Of
the road in question, and explained our
geographical posi,on-as compared with Europe
and Africa on side, and Asia on the
other, placing directly in the centre of the
world; Europe, with a population Of two hum
dred and fifty millions, being about three thousand
miles distant from us on the east, and Asia, with
population of five hundred millions, being five
map, showing directly and conclusively, that
the u. States, after this road built would con-
troll the commerce of the whole world, and enjoy
the carrying trade of these seven hundred and
fifty millions of the inhabitants of Europe, Africa,
and Asia. We showed too, by tables, that the At
lantic cities and China would be brought together
in twenty days, by aid oil steam on the Pacific;
and by the same means on the Atlantic, we would
bring the confines of the globe together in thirty
days.
These calculations were based on data that do
not admit of dispute. If we can traverse the dis
lance by steam between New York and London
in ten days, the distance being three thousand
miles, we can traverse the distance between the
mouth of the Columbia and Nankin, in China,
say five thousand four hundred miles, by steam
likewise, on that quiet and stormlcss ocean, in
fifteen DAYS, and the intermediate distance by rail
road in eight days-we have London and Nankn,
via New York, within thirty-three days sail of
each other. The distance between these two
ports, or between New York and Nankn, as now
performed by sailing vessels is eighteen thousand
miles, taking from four to five months to per-
form it.
The opening OF this highway across our coun-
try would Immediately attract the attention oil
to the riches and wealth of the East; aad jaunt
throughout this route would be soon accomplish
ed and comparatively so free from danger that the
merchant and traveller, from all parts of the
world, would crowd the cars and the steamboats,
employed upon it. 1t would likewise bring into
active all other means of communication
throughout the country; it would give useful en-
ployment to our people and every branch and
form OF business. Agriculture would flourish in
the Western States-commerce and manufac-
lures would flourish in wonderful degree; each
would support the other, all importing abundance
and infusing spirit of happiness and peace, and
rendering our power as a nation greater than any
ever attained since the creation, by any country.
These are few Of the unlimited benefits and
advantages that would accrue to the United States
from the construction of railroad to the Pacific.
To enumerate all is impossible. A single view
of the matter will convince the rejecting mind
that the whole of three of the great divisions of
the world would be our tributaries, that we would
have a monopoly of the trade of the world, and
that in a comparatively short period oil time the
wealth, power, and influence OF our country
would be such that we would not only be mi stress
of the seas, but hold the rest OF the world IN the
hollow of our hand.
Our national Congress will soon be in session,
and it is to be hoped that the members will give
this important subject share oil their attention.
We beg them to read the report of the committee
TO whom the memorial of Mr.. Whitney
on this subject, referred at the last
session, which concluded in the following words {:
The committee believe that the present is an auspi-
cous moment at which 10 this work; and up
on he announcement Of the fact that the project has
eeiysd the favorable notice of Congress The energies of
ourpeope will be aroused TO life II not party
one on which the politician OF every hue and
creed can cordially unite one which viii strengthen the
bonds OF our unon say sectional ealouses and arouse
proud national feeling We have within ourselves all
the material and ell the necessary for s accom-
pshment, and rests with Congress to say whether or
not these materials and these shall be thus en-
poyed; whether the enterprise Is one OF sufc;ent i'm,
porsnce justify setting apart tenth of the public
lands, now valueless to Its accomplishment The COM
mtee will not anticipate but cannot doubt the decision
In view then, Of all the premises and Of all the anti.
cpated results TO flow from the undertaking, # accom-.
plshed, the committee cannot refrain from recommend
ing to the attentive consideration Of the national legis
laure, and Of the country lerge BY the aid Of
portion the public landa. the COMMITTEES beiieya the