The New York herald., 1846-03-03

policy, the master minds of the age are contempla-
ting the magnificent enterprises that ever were
conceived for the advancement OF civilization, and
the Improvement Of the condition of the world
All the achievements OF science yet TO be sur
passed, and greater things TO be accomplished than
were ever dreamed OF in the most utopian phlloso-
ply of the last generation. Bands OF iron are TO
clasp whole nations in peaceful embrace, and add
the new ties of mutual interest to the common prin-
ciples of their common humanity The genius, the
scence, the enterprise, of the nineteenth century,
are to usher in the first dawnng of universal po-
litica millennium.
In this great work of progression, the American
people are undoubtedly the leaders II is natural
that the Tree, democratic spirit OF our institutions
should lnce and stimulate us to the loftiest under
takings; and the influence of our example power
fully operates on the nations Of Europe to follow
Great Britain, with the force of her military and
val power has struggled TO open, for her own ad.
vantage, the commercial resources of China. She
has, with the sword, compelled that empire to annul
its venerable policy OF non-intercourse but it has
been unrighteous mode of bringing about useful
ends, and according the natural laws OF compen-
sation, prosper 1t is only just and blood
less righteous and peaceful enterprises that result
can course Of proceeding. 1t is the American pos
session OF Oregon, and the vast commerce of that
territory with the Chinese, carried on under the
American flag, (Which that singular race respect
above all o,hers,) that is gradually to refine and
Chrlstianize Asia, and change the aspect of the
world.
To make the Oregon effect all this-to deveope its
mighty resources-a railroad, connecting the Mis-.
al val Low with inf tha
part Of the Columbia river Is absolutely necessary
For this purpose, various projects have been devised
and various routes selected by Whitney, Wilkes,
and others. The plan of Mr.. Wilkes seems, in
every respect, the most feasible, and we earnestly
recommend il to the attention OF the Federal CO.
vernment
This proposition of railroad to Oregon must
not be regarded as chimercal. Starting, as Mr.
Wilkes proposes, from the junction of the Great
Platte with the Missouri and following the level
banks OF the former river to Its head, at the en-
trance OF the South Pass, there can be no difficulty
In the construction. Indeed, there is not region
OF country in the world that offers less obsruc-
tion to such project. Why, then, should we de-
lay2 Why falter, at the outsetl Every facility is
IN our hands. The land already belongs to the
government, and will cost nothing The vast iron
and coal regions OF Western Pennsylvania and
Virginia, can send out their material by the way of
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and any thing else
that Is needed, New York can send by the Lakes
The matter must not be procrastinated, or we shall
be anticipated by our great rival and that which,
in our hands, would enrich the whole Union, and
tend to the high purposes Of true philanthropy,
will become the ministerng means, to the grasping
avarce OF some British company, OF specializing
capitalists. We make not this assertion without
good evidence of its truth. The following extract
from the Royal Gazette, Of January 2Sth, published
at Fredericton, in New Brunswick, will prove to
our readers that the British colonies are becoming
alive to the subject; and it will doubtless soon be
introduced IN Parliament. After giving an account
OF the American project, the Gasette says:-
"Regardng the antagonist project of British Nation
al Railroad across division of this continent much.
as may seem to deserve it. il is doubtful whether the
time has not arrived whom may be too late to treat the
language Of the author of this pamphlet the
tavagance OF visionary There in it point for
sideraton which can hardly fail eventually to have
great weight in estimate of national importance
Of such project That railroads give immensely
increased facility and effect to both military and naval
movements, well as to civil enterprise il per-
haps seriously doubted by and least of all is it
means of preparation for either defensve or
operations could be devised we'll calculated at once
to secure popularity at home and to deprive foreign
the ordinary army and navy need receive apparent
increase their effective force may multiplied 10 nde
finite extent by system of internal improvement hav
ing for its avowed or ostensble object other than
increased facility of inland commerce and communica.
be necessary for the extraordinary subse
quen maintenance Of an army and navy, would after
the emergency had passed, remain dead weight upon
the country, in the form OF addition to the national
debt and perhaps of permanent taxation but the same
expenditure upon udciously planned railroad, sys
tenn OF roads, would in all probability more than ac-
nd n
wards continuing to be- instead of burthen, growing
of and strength with direct.
~ recommending themselves as much to the to
the rich.
whether the Oregon question remain for solution by
the last resort or not Of the friends of peace ell
ther sde well object to the al and pacific
contest of rival national railroads this continent
RETAIN by amicable negotiation az much Of the Ore
gon as we DESIRE will be held only by an unsafe
tenure without the railroad
I'VE have, at present greatly the advantage of the
United states IN the proximity Of our own portion OF this
continent to Europe; but it is plain that would lose
much Of its value by delaying to turn account If
the United States be the effect railroad com mum
cation from the Atlantic to the Pacific but short time
couid be necessary ena5e them inundae the Oregon
h grGnts ander their protection and thus greatly 10
prejudice, not whoiy 70 annihiofe, British nfuence
there Besides 6y the front that they ,ooud thus present
towards India and China double influence trod also be
at their command, tending 10 drae through their own
arsrses the trade Of the CanaIds either to he Atlantic or
Paeie and eventually to absorb the C1nadas themseipes
SO natural is this apparent tendency of railroad
ncaon, existing and projected in the United States
at seems 10 DO question: the decision of which
not be safe to rely for the arrest of such tendency upon
any thing short OF similar and counter tendency
OF greater force British railroad from the Of
Nova Scotia through the Canadas to the Pacific with
cessary branches seems the most naturally
even more than such desideratum Besides most ac-
ceptaby establishing in the Canada interest separate
and truly British, and stronger than that ncning
wards the United States such road would also rat
attract the trade and communication of the latter through
the Canadas by sording regular and rapid intel
course with Europe than could possibly be maintained
from any point Of the Union"
How jealous is this writer OF the idea Of the Ame-
rcan project being carried into execution How
clearly does he see the infinite superiority it would
give us over every other power in the world and
particularly over Great Britain! 1t is bold project,
mastery project, and John Bull will spend his last
guinea TO beat it if he can.
But another rival has sprung up in this matter OF
the vast trade of China md The E,s, Tn,