The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-12-25
THE PANAMA RAIL ROAD No. v.

THE PANAMA RAIL ROAD No. V.
In my last number the enquiry started as TO the
comparative distance time expense, safety and relia-
bleness of transit, by the Panama and some other route,
for the business and intercourse of the Atlantic Valley,
and Pacific States, with each other, and with Eastern
Asia.
leave Of the question the project Of ship canal
across the lsthmus of Tehuantepec, Though with no
disrespect t) and name. at once, what 10 be
pre- emnently desirabe-a rail road from ST. Louis on
the Mississippi to San Francisco on the Pacific have
named ST. Louis as the Eastern terminus, because ready
access TO that point is 10 be had from the chief
places of business on and East OF the Mississippi San
Francisco is named as the Western terminus because,
from It's unrvalled harbor productive region and rea>
tive position its destiny, the great emporium of the
Pacific coast of North America, cannot be overlooked,
Other may be stated for naming St Louis and
San Francisco the termini for a continental railroad
to the Pacific. Their latitude and that of the nerven
ing route is within parallels favorable TO health all
seasons of the year. without being far enough in the
gion of frost essentially disturb the road impede
operation on it. A line due West from the Atlantic,
through ST. Louis to the Pacific would vary but about
one degree from the latitude Of Philadelphia and San
within which il is morally certain intelligence enterprise
and energy will PrepondeTate. From these causes, and
from the breadth of the continent along the line pro
posed more persons and more freight would be
modated than by Southern route.
That such road can be made is hardly questionable.
The general route has been sufficiently explored to
make certain that extraordinary obstacles and many
great facilities exist i'll the formation of the regions be
passed over That government which can, without
sensby touching any mans pocket, pay $3.50 600 OOO
TO obtain remote territory, make easy to
its remoest point of need shall not stop to prove
That the government ought to use its capacity for that
object is very plain. If the territories are worth win
ming, they worth enjoying Indeed, that the gov.
eminent must penetrate the Gate of the Rocky Noun
ains the Pacific is hardly less plain than that it can
and should do it, and do it Soo if it will keep what it
has been so eager to get What else can assure or make
probable, the integrity of this vast country, for any
length Of timef How can extremes so distant fom
each Other, hold together without sympathies and
stronger bonds OF than forms OF govern
ment, the remembrance OF origin to their
inhabitants Our domain West of the Rocky Nouns
ains and the Cordieras is spacious enough for mag
ni6cent empire. Nature has declared for its indepena
dence, and nothing but art disturb her decree-ar
the skiifui, prompt and ener9 Ac. I-~Pedt' 'he"
the permanent union OF the Eastern and Western
extremes OF country is desirable land time will only
develope its importance the government cannot be toe
too deeply impressed with the conviction tina
where the tendencies Of nature strong for sep
sraion, nothing can bind those repelant extremes bu
the strong igament of mutual multiplied every day in
teest-a bond, which, nature will not wait for it, ar
must hasten 10 apply with its utmost skill and vgor.
reliance on an improved route across the lsthmus Of
Panama, that of Tehuanepec, (greatly desirable as
such Improvements are, for the worlds commerce !
would be reacherous reliance for the interests of the
government and people Of the United States. 1t is time
however, to answer the comparative questions, with
which this Number opens and proceed once to reply
as briefly as may, and if with absolute precision
yet with sufficient approximation to exactness for the
just objects Of enquiry.
Taking ,ahen, San Francisco central point for
our Pacific and Trans Pacific interests what is the cons
paratve distance to that point from the business
of the Atlantic and Valley Staes by the Panama and
Continental routes
The distance from Philadelphia TO Panama is nearly
great that Of the land from Philadelphia
to San Francisco: while the distance from Philadelphia
to San Francsco by the lshmus nearly thrice that of
the Continental route. citizen of Baltimore, Phila>
depha, New York or Boston, when at home, is very
much San Francisco than after reaching Panama
The distance, too, from Philadelphia Canton by the
Ishmu, is nearly wo-hrds greater than by the CONT
mental route These data will suffice basis OF cali
culaton Of relative distances from other places
CosMoPoLITE.
I