Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-20
Mr.. wBIrNEY,s RAILROAD.

The New Orleans Courier. a Democratic paper. r'd-
eules Mr.. A. Nhitney's project Of constructing = Railroad
from the uver Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. The Is
lance, says the Courier. cannot be much lees than three
thousand miles-over rivers and mountains q
wilderness inhabited only by wild bsssus and savage In
dians. Even suPpo~iug the construction OF the work pse'
uesble. yet who will keep up the road and the loeomo'
uvesi The Courier doubts whether. for twenty years to
come, there would be travellers upon II in sufficient num-
bers TO pay the cost Of procuring fuel for the engines
Without many facilities for understanding the practical
biity OF this project. we feel ssP ,sed I, doubt whether, TOT
half a century to come, such a work could be constructed
We know indie d that there are scarcely any limits to the
inventive spirit and irrepressible enterprise OF the present
age. bu, there are peculiar obstacles in the character Of the
county, and in the savage tribes, and the white outlaws
who infest II. which will render such an undertaking cx'
tremcly hazardous and uncertain, even II the requisite
smouni OF funds could be raised for the construction Of the
road. Why, the Indians, or refugees, could at any time,
from very wantonnes~, If not from malice or revenge, de-
stroy the rails, burn the station houses, and escape with
perfect impunty.
But We arc as,onished that the Editor Of the Courier,
being a good Democrat. should express any doubts as 10
this notable plan OF Mr.. Whitney. The Mississippi and
Oregon Railroad ought To be n cardinal principle oil the
Democratic creed. And this, for two reasons; In the first
place, the principal value which even our most ardent ad.
vocates OF Oregon set upon that territory, is that II will
give US n command Of the China trace. We are to com.
pete WIN JOnn u IN Una TIC nlarket, hnu oS VI
Oregon and The Pacific open q new and splendid avenue Of
national and individual wealth and greatness. But how is
tina, trade TO be made available, unless by means Of a rail
rosdi The Glow, tedious, and cumbrous process OF the
usual means Of conveyance, would render our aequisi.
ton OF orcgoa, for the purposes OF trade, utterly worth
less. So that the Courier ought to advocate the Rail.
road, or admit that Oregon 10 OF no importance in any
point Of view.
And .gain. The Wings often say to the men who are
49, ~. -.s,.. ,C ,ko Ir,,,, o., (. N eDnF-
nous size. you are adopting the most certain means for Its
speedy dissolution. 1t will fall to pieces Of its own weight.
The community offeeling, sympathy and interest, by which
VIC are now united, will be weakened and ultimately de
s,royed BY this vast extension OF territory. The common
reply to this is, that such would unques,ionably be the fact.
but that railroads will s~nn.hiiaie distance. and make Oregon
in reality as near TO Washington as were some Of our own
States at the formation OF The Constitution. The Rail.
road then becomes an indispensable article in the belief Of
the Party OF Progress" Every Democrat is bound to
swear By whitney's Railroad, or give up the most reason
able considerations Ihsi hove yet b,en advanced for the &C
cushion of Oregon.