Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-11-25

MN, and his heart warns with gratitude and you
may lead HIM on. care not how low their con-
dition; here finding themselves surrounded with
comforts and plenty, the reward of their own
toll, their energies will kindle into n flame Of
ambition and desire, and we shall be enabled to
educate them to our system, TO industry prosper
ity and virtue
The pioneer settler is subject TO severe tolls,
hardshps and deprivations, but none more severe
than the lawlessness which surrounds him. He
has gone beyond the pale Of civilization or even
law, and is forced to avenge his own wrongs, and
often falls victim to the lawless and worse than
savage robber, and his wife and little ones are
!eft destitute in the wilderness; but on the line
OF this road there could be pioneer settler, for
both would advance together.
After the two first years it would draw to it
100000 souls annually; cities, towns, and villa
ges would spring up like magic, because the road,
as cheap means of transit for The products for
mans labor to all the markets ofthe world, would
leave a rich reward for that labor and afford the
means for the accomplishment of all.
1t is important and necessary IN a commercial,
political, aud military point of view. 1t would
give US the control of, and make the entire COM
merce of the world tributary to- us. 1t is the
grand thoroughfare for all the world, bringing in
to use that entire immense rich Basin ofthe Mis-
sissippi and taking its vast products to all the
markets of the world. The tolls on the foreign
commerce upon this great highway for nations,
would bring the nations Of the earth indebted TO
us, and here on this continent would be the great
Banking House, the grand Exchange, for all the
world.
In a political and military aspect. Itwould en-
able US at small expense to concentrate our for
ces, munitions and stores, at any point on the
Atlantic or Pacific coasts, or any part of our vast
interior, in the short space of from 3 to s days,
and transmit the mail in little more than half
that time. To Oregon by telegraph, we could
outrun the sun by IL hours. With a naval depot
at Oregon, with comparatively small navy, we
can command the vast Pacific, the South Allan
| tic, the Indian Ocean and the Chinese SEAS Yes
| may say, we shall then command the world.
How different would be our position in this
Mexican war with this road at trihing expense
and without hazard of life, the entire west coast
of Mexico would be under our complete control.
But when the entire human family can be
brought together in a free exchange of commo-
dities, wars must cease, as then there can be no
cause for strife. Armies and navies will be no
more wanted. Commerce will form and govern
politics. 1t s our destiny TO accomplish this vast
revolution for all mankind. We have the vast
wilderness earth, our inheritance, bought with
the toll and blood of our fathers; the labor of
man applied thereto brings forth its rich reward
and the abundant means for this great work. Let
brought together as one nation.
might speculate upon the future, and what
Will be the vast results from the accomplishment
OF this great work but it has been my object to
give you plain, simple, business statement bas-
ed upon facts only, and you can see all. The
subject is before you, the field is open to the
mind, and think plain to all. 1t is no expert
ment, for all the requisite elements are now in
daily use and employment. Therefore say it
is bat simple work. Let the road be graded,
the timber and iron put down, the locomotive
and cars put upon it, aud all is done at the same
time the facilities which it yields to man will
have created Its being and become its support.
BY looking at the map again you will see our
position, and must see that the subject can
not be exaggerated Europe with 250,000,000 Of
population lies on one side of US, and all Asia
with 700,000,000 of souls on the other side, sep
aruted from us by the calm Pacific, while the
more stormy Atlantic separates us from Europe
Look at our continent, the centre of all. Now
more than 1000 miles of it is bowling, savage
waste wilderness, and the greater part useless &c
man. But this road will open it to settlement
and cultivation, giving free and cheap inter
course and rapid communication with all the
world 1t will extend agriculture, population
and productions, affordiDg exchanges TO sustain
all other branches of industry, SO that may be
almost allowed to say, it will give every man
woman and child on the earth means to live and
be comfortable if they will but work. 1t will
give US the means and force the completion Of
the New England and New York, the Pennsy
vaLa, the Baltimore and Ohio, the Richmond
aud Ohio, and the Charleston, S. c. Railroads tc
Ohio where they will all join in one and run OIL
to join this, near where it crosses the Mississippi
River. Then the grand centre of this continen
aud OF the globe would be near the Missouri
when 1t will require lat 30 miles per hour pc
Railroad,) but 2 l-2 days to any Atlantic city
IL days to the Pacific, and at the presen
speed OF steamers, but rs days to any part Of the
globe. Thus we are brought together at thu
grand centre as one family in l-2 days, and the
whole world TO the same centre as one nation il
rs days! 1t would carry with it from ocean tC
ocean belt of population 5000 miles IN extent
with the same manners, habits, thoughts, action:
and interests-yes, the same relgion-a food o.
light, life and liberty, which would spread over
enlighten and cnliyen the heathenisln of all A.
STA.
Mr. Chairman, it is my desire that some actiof
may be had on this subject by your honorable
body IN its legislative capacity. Six States have
acted upon it almost without dissenting voice
Pennsylvania and other States, have been in
formed, are disposed and ready so 10 do It ap
pears to me the points for you TO decide upor
are-Do you want the load ? will you be bene
| ask for shall be applied TO this purpose?
That you will be benefited think no one car
doubt The railroads now in progress through
your state make it one of the principal avenue:
from the Atlantic, and your position forces 9th
er states to furnish the means to build your works
Massachusetts,, Maine and New Hampshire car
ge, no other route to Canada, and to the grea,
Mississippi Valley, except at gradient so high
as to cost an immense sum for construction and
heavy charge for operation so that your state
must, at the expense OF the others, become theil
thoroughfare to Canada, TO the Mississippi Val
ley, aud to this great highway for nations.
The change of the route for the commerce
with Asia has, since the time Of Solomon, chan
ged the destlnies of Empires and States. II has
controlled and does in fact 10 this day control
the world. TO change its route to our continent
will be its last and final change, and must bene.
fit every section and interest Of our wide spread
continent. On the Atlantic, our industry and
enterprise will not fear to compete for the carry
ing of the commerce Of all Europe with ASIA,
which must then come to our shores; while as
to the Pacific, we may say, thai Ocean will be
our own. Then imagine the vast number OF
ships and men IN bo wanted. Would the sons
of Vermont get no benefit from such field
The opening of free, cheap and frequent in
tercourse with Japan, with China, all the islands
of the Pacific and Indian Ocean, and with India,
would omen n commerce in extent and variety