Democratic banner., 1849-11-12
THE PACIFIC RAILWAY.

citement on this important subject, we are
free to confess, that doubts have existed in
our minds with regard to many things in
volved in the successful completion Of the
work. On its first introduction into the
councils Of the nation, in the shape of a
memorial and a proposition by Mr.. Whit
ney to undertake the work, many were dis.
posed to regard it as a chimera, incapable
Of practical development. Many of tile
leading statesmen of the nation, who are
now its warm and decided advocates, look
ed upon the matter as vain and idle, and
consequently refused to encourage it in any
manner. The whole country was a vast
wilderness from the borders Of our State to
the. shores of the Pacific. The country was
supposed to be barren and to be filled with
all conceivable barriers against the con-
struction of works of this character. The
most reliable information concerning the
geography of the country was to be found
in the discoveries and explorations of Free
mont, and from the remarks Of Senator
Benton at the time in opposition to the
practicability of the road, inclined many
to doubt. Mr.. Benton was Of course
supposed to be in possession of all the in
formation in regard to the subject, and dis
couragement by him was well calculated to
shake confidence in the scheme, though so
ardently desired by many. Since that
time, the rich mines of California have been
opened to invite the enterprise of our citi-
zens, and from all accounts showing their
inexhaustible character, it is readily seen
that an immense population will soon have
congregated into that portion of our pos
sessions. The annals Of history might, per-
|haps, be ransacked in vain. to find a simi-
lar instance Of rapidity in peacable settle
Iment. The arts and sciences must soon be
introduced, and all the elements of indus
trial enterprise and prosperity find q home
where but lately the desert stood in its pri,
meval state.
This country, without the discoveries Of
the gold mines, would unquestionably have
become settled, but it musthave been done
slowly, and perhaps after a series Of years.
As a farming country, it possesses but few
advantages, and would consequently have
presented no other than commercial induce
ments to its settlement. But, under pres
ent circumstances, the rage for emigration
lis universal. All see the inevitable conse-
q~uences of a speedy settlement, and thou
sands who had located for life and were liv-
ing in the enjoyment of all that man might
desire, are suddenly seized with the mania
and embark their fortunes in this GEL Dora
do,' not of fancy, but, as they presume, Of
blissful reality.
To these causes and the consequent d.
~rection of the popular mind and the wonder.
full excitement created thereby, must we
attribute the undeniable revolution in senti-
ment which has been effected of late. A
few years ago, a proposition to expend one
hundred millions of dollars in the construc.
ton of any public work by the General Gov
lernmenr, would have been looked upon
with general distrust. Not only questions
Of constitutional power, but those of expe-
diency and practicability, would long have
engaged the discussions ofthe people. But
at the st. Louis Convention, composed of
delegates from many States Of the Union,
all seemed to concur in the necessity of the
Immediate constr uction of the work and
the power of the General Government over
the subject beyond the States. Some, in
deed, occupying high places. and supposed
Ito represent the views of their constituents,
were willing to the great work
without surveys or knowledge of the ground,
and without estimates of its cost. The
Memphis Convention, equally well attend
ed and by many influential and talented
men, seemed to be unanimous on the point
of urgent necessity of the work. All de-
sire the road, and but few stop to enquire
about particulars. The public mind seems
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