The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-24
THE UNION.

tested fact that he failed in every undertaking in which
road pfolect-embraclng his silly and ridiculous de-
monrdtion against the coast survey pollcy. and end
ing with the Protocol But the scheme in itself is
purely ridiculous and absurd road mile tctie all
The nay from ST. Louis The Pacific! road the cost
of which, upon Mr. Benton's plan. will be in due
son proved most amply. will be some two hundred and
fifty or three hundred millions of dollars! road the
annual expense of which, after shall have been estab
shed VIII be some five millions OF dollars And
to the building of this road seyenty five per cenm OF
the proceeds OF the public lands in Oregon and California
and hily per centum of the amount OF the sales OF all
other public lands in the United States, are to be set
apart and pedgedl So that all reduction in the price
all the public lands the United States is 10 be dis
}pensed WITH thing altogether impossible to be eff
eced IN the face OF this solemn pledgng and setting
apart OF the proceeds OF the land sales The graduation
is 10 run over high mountains, covered with eternal
snow, which is oientimes from 20 to 40 feet deep Be-
SIDES these objections TO Mr. Bentons project his speech
support OF it shows 10 be the most project
OF the Kind ever beard OF in other respects for in this
speech he does not advocate this road alone, but he
avows himself in favor of other such roads all over the
country In fact he has been all his life contendng for
La general system of internal improvements and this bill
seems TO be and in truth omake part
such system do not at all,msstate his scheme am
conhden for in the of his speech referred to-
he most formally introduced paragraph from Gbbon
descriptive of the Roman highways under the empire
God save the mark in which that writer enumeratlng
the our thousand cities belonging TO the Roman empire
in Europe, Asia, and Africa" goes on to say "AH these
cites Were connected with each other and with the capt
m W Tue pupC highways winch, issuing from the forum
OF Rome, aversed Italy, pervaded the provinces, and
were terminated only by the frontiers of the empire,
l&c and Mr.. Benton, referring to this Roman imperial
road system says Such the extent and soidity Of
the Roman roads; single line OF road, above 1000 Ro
man and equal to 3740 English miles, and the 1000 cit
les OF the empire all connected with roads OF equal
soidy besides " and presently, saying of all these
deru Roman roads " mention them for their magni-
cence, their grandeur and presenting example 0orhy
LOT our imaiion Surely, surely patriotic and judi
cious friends in Missouri cannot desire TO enlist in this
enormous system at the present moment railroad from
ST. Louis 10 Santa Fe, devised by practical men, and
brought forward under proper auspices OF the
suicconsruction democrats in Congress, doubt not
for high national reasons, could vote for cheerfuy
railroad from Memphis Vicksburg, in the direction OF
the ella river, surface comparatively favorable
and running all the way through mid and healthful
climate, know that many members OF Congress suppose
4 to be practicable and polite; and they would in all
probability, allow to ST. LOUIS branch railroad pursuing
the general of the Mississippi river, and becoming
connected with the grand southwestern road some
eligible pont-thus making the city OF ST. Louis double
terminus and securing her all the commercial advantages
which she desires. But repeat MIR. Bentons scheme
will never pass Congress- and only destined to make
it's author Immortality ridiculous.
think then, that if his senatorial reelection depends
upon this genuine humbug project his chances for
most gloomy indeed Whether. though, he should
be elected or defeated predict that the influence of this
truly INSCRIPTIONS and mschievous parsonage will here
alter grow less and less, continually, this republic until
his mercenay and noisy advocates OF the present
hour will be ashamed even to whisper his praise.
Hoping that you will this long letter, in con-
sideralon of the importance OF the topics discussed in
it, bring it to close by declaring myself most cordially
and truly, yours, &C., &C., H. S. FOOTE.