Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-12-05

Railroad.
And the Convention, not fearing physi-
cal difficulties so much as those which
might be interposed by political and Sec
tional feelings-looking to the fact that a
Northern route from the lakes TO Oregon,
and Southern route through Texas to
San Diego, were each strongly urged up
on the public consideration. and well
knowing the fatal dangers Of the delay
which the threatened disputes would be
sure to involve. indicated a Central route
between these two extremes for the main
stem. with branches 10 the Northern. 10
the Middle, and to the Southern States.
This offer TO propitiate the claims OF ma
tionalitv will it is hoped, be as satlstacto-
nv to the extreme sections as IT seemed TO
be to their respective representatives IN
the Convention 1t is that fraternal spirit
Of concession and compromise. in which
our Government itself was founded, and
has been safely conducted through many
portentous storms. which the Convention
consulted, and to which the country must
look for a speedy solution Of all The difti-
cu.,ies which sectional selfishness will IN
terpose against the construction OF the
road Sectional jealousy without patriot
ism, like avarice without benevolence.
sinks to a vice that. ''to be hated. needs
but TO be seem" and in relation to this
great measure, whose influence and
whose benefits will be co-extensive with
the Union, cannot be tolerated, and we
trust will no, be seen.
EIevating ourselves above the prejudi
ces of party. the passions of persons. the
all IF Lot fn
the execution Of this work with the single
ness Of purpose which distinguishes true
patriotism Let US exhibit to the world a
people united and busy in securing the
foundations Of unprecedented grandeur.
and conscious of destiny which it is
vain to oppose, and which is every day
more and more unfolding itself to the
amaZement Of contemporary nations. 1t
needs but the fiat of the people. and the
application Of the means and authority of
their government, to consummate the
master piece of powerful and patriotic
nation. For such. saving the Constitu-
ton, would it truly be. No nation has
ever executed a work of superior impor-
lance to the interests Of the human race
The Appian Way. the Regina Viarun,
of the Romans. though lasting eight CEN
turtles and exhausting at one time the Ro-
man treasury. and on which five days
were consumed in travelling from Rome
to Capau. bears no comparison with it.
! That pointed to Asia Minor, which Rome
absorbed. This to Asia itself, and to the
Indies, looking to the commerce of three
fourths of the population of the world.
and passing through the heart of a CONT
nent. The temples of the ancient cities.
the pyramids of Egypt. the wall of China.
the great road Of the Incas, are insignifi-
cant monuments Of pride and power. as
compared with the importance of the
great Continental Railroad of North A.
merica. The mind Of man cannot con-
ceive all its vast and unlimited conse-
quences. Let the work be finished; and
then the trident Of the sea would gradu-
ally fall from, the hands of England, and
the question Of north-we passage
would cease TO vex the world but as a
matter Of mere curiosity; long and dan
cerous VOYAGES around the Capes would
be lessened; we should no longer be sub
jcct to pass through foreign territory in
going from one part Of our domain to an
other; time would be saved, distance an
initiated, new resources discovered, new
markets opened. belt Of civilization and
cultivation extended across the continent.
improving the public lands, and render
ing government intercourse and author-
" with the Indian tribes, and our own
distant provinces. more easy and etli-
cient: the wealth of Asiatic commerce
would commingle with ours in the heart
of our country. and the lights of civil
and relig ious liberty would inevitably fall
upon the slumbcrers on the shores and
islands of the Pacific, while our own Re-
public would advance in power, wealth
and grandeur. and receive a new guaran-
ty of its unfailing strength and durability
What. then. remains for us but to urge
the cooperation of the friends of the
measure everywhere, in concentrating
upon the Congress Of the United States.
in all its indisputable majesty and
strength, the WILL OF THE PEOPLE. And
let those people, as they value the impor-
lance Of preserving the unity of the Re-
public, as they love their friends who are
settling upon the shores Of the Pacific. as
they desire to maintain the dignity and
authority of their government, and as
they are faithful to the mission of their
country in advancing the cause of civili-
cation and humanity. demand of their
Representatives IN Congress. without
confusion, hesitation or disguise. immedi-
ate action-action. decisive. liberal and
etfectual. An intelligent people need not
instruction in the forms Of bringing their
will to the knowledge Of their Represen-
tatives. The resolutions and memorials
of State and municipal Legislatures, the
expressions Of district and county con-
ventionS. and town meetings. of corpo-
rate bodies. the columns of the press, the
letters and petitions of individuals. will
doubtless all combine in rolling down up
on Congress an avalanche of popular O.
pinlon. which can neither be misappre-
hended nor withstood. But another and
important form is that which NAV be an.
ticipated from the proposed assembling
of the ST. Louis Convention with the adj.
dition of delegates from all the States of
the Union. in the city of Philadelphia on
the first Monday Of April next.
TO that reunion. We would respectful
IL invite tho attention of ~ IL