The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-05
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Union


" t1it WIZ PTtss-a question Winch tnose who put
take good care to answer in manner satisfactory to
themselves, and TO the nalconents whom they address,
and one which might be answered in avery different Sort
did the country require answer TO be given.
Thanks, however TO the intelligence and patriotism OF
The mass OF our people, they need not 10 be informed OF
their rights, 10 be stimulated TO vndicate them They
are aware OF the long course of outrage and aggression
by which the with Mexico forced upon this
country. They know that it was commenced 10 repe
INVASION and that 1t is continued not to crafty lust Tor
conquest satae thirst for revenge, but 10 obtain
peace which shall be permanent and enduring, and such
indemnity Tor wrongs inflicted, the mmutable rules
Of justice entitle us TO.
But while the insilious question with which this
article is commenced is very properly dsregarded by
the community al large as being, IN the sense in which
put, impairment IN manner, and seditious in motive
one OF similar import might be asked in different state
OF feeling and the TO ii would be OF the deepest
interest TO all who have the welfare and prosperity OF
their country at heart II is not present purpose
to enumerae, much less expailae upon the immense IN
cldenal advantages which must 10 ourselves 10
Mexico, and the whole human race, from our contest
with the last named country single OF the great
events which must grow out of the present of things,
affords ample theme for reflection and requires an ADLER
pen than ours TO do justice to It's importance.
Our hostilites with Mexico will doubtless solve the
grand problem, who is TO establish the communication
between the Atlantic and the Pacific !" For long series
OF years has been topic OF discussion almost through
out the civilized world by whom, and in what manner
these two should be connected. The governments
OF England France, and Spain, the Spanish American
pubcs, and atiey our have ALL at different times,
had the subject under consideration Individual enter
prise has been aroused plans have been suggested pro
ects set foot companies chartered, and everything
done except the work itself. While all have admitted
the importance of this mighty undertaking. the impede
ments to IFS execution have been numerous as the par
ties who have contemplated it. We will glance at a few
OF them, by way OF showing that they still exist and are
for indefinite time, likely in most cases. 10 continue
to exist England and France have been, and still con-
nue to be, deferred from this enterprise by political
slderaons, which will be apparent to any who con-
slders their relative position to each other, and the ea
ousy growing out OF IT. SPAIN once possessing the un
anf maau IN
and hold the work. neglected IT till she had lost the one
and expended the other The republics which succeeded
her distracted by domestic dissenslons Impoverished and
weakened by anarchy and misrue, have had the
ability to improve the advantages to which they fell heirs
while our own government, met upon the threshold by
constitutional objections never venured seriously to
moot the question
The immense outlay necessary to cut canal across
the ishmus, and the uncertain tenure of the property
when compleed--stuated it would be in the midst OF
turbulent and hafcyiliZed population, whose govern
ments constantly changing hands, and among whom
the very elements of society state of transition
have presented obstacles which private enterprise has
not yet ventured to sumoun Thus fortunately for the
United States the matter has stood for years. and unless
we move In 1t, thus 1t may continue 10 stand but that
we shall move in 1t, and that efectualy, would
almost inevitable result of present relations with
Mexico.
We have at present large military and naval force in
California and on the Pacific coast of Mexco-a force
which stands IN constant need of renfocements and sup
plies from the Atlantic And how its necessities 10
be administered to- By sea- That involves voyage OF
miles DelOW Inc alltllQeS we WISH 10 reach DV
land across the continent! There thousands of
miles OF mountains and deserts be crossed in that d.
recon and the route is almost mpraccable for the
small parties with scanty supplies who pod their weary
way for months before they reach the western main road
the sthmus, from Huasacualco to Tehuanepec,
would shorten the distance from the 10000 by sea,
m sy a 4q po eS e
two points is imperatvely called for by the eXences OF
the service. A road may be commenced and COM
pleted in a space of time, and for a sum of money,
too nconsiderabe to be mentioned when its importance
in every point of vew both immediate and remote, is
taken into consideration. column OF fifteen hundred
men, properly drected, would cut through and construct
a road from Huasacualco to Tehuaniepec in two or
three months, which would be practicable for post
coaches and Pennsylvania wagons, at no further expense
than the pay allowed for special service of cents
day per The highest grade to be surmounted in
the whole distance barely 100 feet The nature OF the
ground presents no unusual obstacles, and may be con-
sdered rather favorable than otherwise and the eng
neer department of our army is uncommonly efficient
and there hosts of officers OF talent and character who
would struggle for posts in the corps which first estab
lished the communication between the Atlantic and the
Pacific The speedy execution of this measure is called
for, have before animated, by the exgencies OF
the services bat is, if possible, still mperavey
called for upon principles of general policy 1t is not
cutting canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific; il not
even constructing railroad; but it is securing the
ground, and taking the inaiory step towards the
pIetOn of either both And ii is because the groun!
has yet been efiecually secured nor the inatory
step taken, that this great work has not been already
RED out, and the advantages of lis control have
haps adverse power The speedy execution of this
measure is essential; because just at present in
the most favorable possible position TO effect the object
Our relations towards Mexico precisely such as !
authorize to take possession of the necessary territory
II delayed until treaty of peace is negotiated II may be
more difficult to obtain by purchase or IN the way of
than would be to gain the cesson of it,
domain already in hands, and which could not well
be wrested from Once own and the meeting OF
the mighty waters would be brought about without |
further effort expense How long would it take to
convince the commercial world that it more expe-
dous and economical TO wagon their freight, and
transport their passengers this post road than
miles around the cape and how would the tolls |
upon such transportation and passage amount 10 sufficient
10 convert your road into railroad with double tack
This railroad ii once constructed, would pay for canal
fast that could be eycavaed; and five years would
eapse from the first assumption of the right of way
between Huasacnalco and ehanepec before the United
States, either government or by its citizens, would
hold in IFS hands the key 10 the whole Of the
east We would not counter to the ideas of those
whose strict construction OF the constitution would render
them hostile TO the expenditure of the public revenue upon
objects of internal Improvement Ii is not essential that
either railroad canal should be the property of the gov
eminent Let the territory and the right 10 improve be !
disposed of TO private citizens, reserving right of way
for military purposes, and not dollar would ever be
wanted from the treasury. The work would complete
ITSELF and still IFS mighty bearing the course of trade
would be within the direction and under the control of
our common country. We could enlarge upon this theme
far beyond any limits your indulgence might aot us, but
it is unnecessary. The subject is of itself sufficiently
suggestive of matter for consideration, 10 satisfy those
who feel disposed to give it their attention And public
opinion is daily manesting itself, with constantly in
creasng strength favor of securing the right OF way
across the ishmus at Tehuantepec