The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-08-16

THE IsrHMrs CANAL ". Tms oaEoos RAILROAD
We have published heretofore several articles
the subject of connecting the Atlantic and the Pa
cc by canal the sthmus Of Tehuantepec
aud these essays appear have excited very strong
iatsrsst in the public mind extract the following
view of the subject from the speech Of VIM. NJ. Hail.
Eq at the Chicago Convention who advocated before
that body the passage OF resolutions In favor Of the plan
Of Mr. George Wilkes Of this city, for national rail-
road through the great South Pass to the Pacific which
resolutions subsequently passed In committee Of the
whole.
Amer demonstrating the Importance Of the subject he
to discuss Mr. Hall thus alluded to the successive
efforts to turn the Isthmus to account
A substantial experience had proved that whichever
nation should foresta the world in possession the
shortest to the riches of the East would win the
diadem OF commerce and WELD the scepre Of the
the great struggle of contending powers for the
last four centuries and hence the proposal Of the most
psh the gn Indeed latter years though Britain
with commendabe enterprise still dispatches her explor
Ing hp ad
ally been conceded that the direct westward pas
sage could only be accomplished by the separation
OF the Isthmus in the Gulf of Mexico. While, how
ever, this opinion was strengthening itself upon the
successive reports Of every new expedition, = Sc
secret but mighty reformei was at work reformer,
destined only to overthrow all theories Of physical
SCIENCE but to grapple with the great globe ITSELF
crush the mountains with CONC ueror'e STEP and make
the rugged wilderness humble to Its purpose than
the bringing sea- Men paused in their ordinary spec
usons 70 wonder at the terrific progress of this
Titan Of the latter day They him pluck out the
forests tear up and ding aside the seated bills and with
the rejoicing sons Of progress in his train, made
into the body Of the continent with step Of BRIDE
groom going to his chamber prince occupy his
throne 1t then that the grand thought burst SIM
ultaneousy several minds that the generous mon
ster who had already made half Of the continent
subject to his power could alse pierce with equal
people for whom be had already done so much the bril-
liant hope which had 30 long possessed the imagination
Of mankind. The fancied advantages of the Isthmus
forgotten despised and the most reluctant
ready concede that If the rail could sail upon the
surface Of the land with speed safety and
less cost than the ship could navigate upon the
there further need to seek for straits meat
ing CULTS to enhance the peril and delay, to
our advantages by tedious deviation to some narrow
point
II may seem strange, Mr. President that with this
promise alike to every portion Of the Republic there
be those VINO sgtate the almost obsolete idea Of
however, that project unwise and SO at variance
with true interests be seriously entertained but
If 1t be- think may venture to advise its osteusible
proposers to abandon it at The close calculating
straight ahead prito our people will never be content
when they may 90 safely straight across 1t; will
they consent to the expenditure OF fifty millions In
foreign country and for foreign benefit when the
amount may be spent among our people, and secure
an avenue within our own control. have said fifty
millions Mr. President for wiz BE- seen that to the
BIZ added the advantages shall be obliged to resign in
the treaty with Mexico, to secure from nation so
Jealous In regard to territory right OF way which
they Will be 30 reluctant to concede
But II we should conquer and possess the route p?
some gentleman may say in reply WELL Mr.. President
if we should conquer 1t, and conquer until come
to South America, would still lock up the entire line
Of from permestion and thus the course of
trade the direct and consistent parallel of Az
Why need deviate inch follow the ocean, when
the land will better? Why wish pitch aud
upon the pillows ut the of ten miles hour
when safely sail ut the rate Of thirty and
forty and fifty upon the land Why put to in the
Atlantic to strain almost side by side with England for
the point and there wait with her and with the
whole crowd OF commercial customers turn to be
admitted through?
1t has been said however, that the West will not be
forced to the Atlantic coast but will send its
down the Mississippi and push 1t throughnto the Pa
cnc by the lsthman route. Well 1t may, but If 1t
does It must still send 1t through sweterng heats and
torrid lsttudes and who shall say that the
Asstc stores will get back and ascend Che Mississippi
with the same facility? Who shall say that the West
road will roll the golden stream OF commerce by their
UO :ts-s d sbs !. dnss so @ no n
the West Of its promise of the carrying trade but open