Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1849-02-13
RAILROAD MEETING.

the citizens Of Dubuque assembled at the
court House in this city, on the evening
o. Thursday, the 9th inst., for the pur
pose OF listening TO railroad speech from
Mr.. Ogden, of Chicago, Ill.,, the Presiden
Of the Chicago and Galena Union Rail
road Company. ~ -#a cyl
The meeting was respectable in mum
bers, and at the hour appointed, was call
ed TO order by Maj. Mobley, and Luciu:
II. Langworthy, Esq, appointed chair
man. s.-,.f.. .,..s IL
On motion, Messrs. John A. Holland
and Harrison Holt we're appointed Secre
:aries.
The Chairman explained the objects OIL
the meeting, and made some remarks
pertinent to the subject which had called
them together, and finished by introdu
cling Mr.. Ogden to the audience.
In his opening remarks, Mr.. Ogden
stated that the object heretofore sought
by those who had interested themselves
in railroad enterprises, had been, spec
dy access TO the Atlantic coast; now We
seek the Pacific. The immense popuia
ton which will soon be scattered along
our western coast, must have a more di
rect, safe, and speedy communication with
their eastern brethren, than the tedious
voyage around Cape Horn, or the toll
some and hazard one of crossing the
country by the present means.
The safety Of that coast in military
point Of view, demands that means be
provided for quick transportation OF
troops, munitions and stores. The bound
less wealth which is, even now, beng
developed upon tina: coast, and which
must increase in an incalculable ratio, but
above all its comparative proximity to
the eastern shores Of Asia and the Indies,
renders it certain that great thorough
fare for the commerce ofthe world must
and ,cM cross the American continent.
1t may appear gigantic enterprise
1t is gigantic enterprise and yet it is
entirely feasible. Capt Swift, Of the To-
geographical Engineers, estimated the cost
at $4o,ooo,ooo. This, Mr.. Ogden thinks
is too high. $5o,ooo,ooO will do the
work. Look at the Obstacles which have
been overcome by private companies in
the East, and think what may be done by
the united energies Of the whole people,
when wealth and population are so rapid.
ly augmenting. No enterprise is too
great for the American people. A Rail-
road to the Pacific must, and in twenty
years will be built.
The question now arises, said Mr.. o.
den, vbere shall this road be built?
We say in the latitude Of 427 or there
abouts. This is the latitude c. the south
pass in the Rocky Mountains, the most
eligible place for crossing that barrier,
where the rise in six days. travel, between
the waters OF the eastern and western
slopes, is but 600 feet.
This is the latitude where men live the
longest and enjoy most the blessings Of
life. IT'S the proper latitude and climate
for tho transportation or The products and
wealth Of the agricultural, mechanical,
and commercial world. Here the Missis-
sippi and Missouri rivers can be bridged
with comparatively small expense, and
without offering any impeachment. to their
navigation.
The great railroad enterprises of the
East have an eye to this point. They
are all looking beyond the termination of
their own chartered limits to the ultimate
extension Of railroad communication with
the Pacific coast. The south bend OF
Lake Michigan, is the point TO which ma
ny will converge; and thence by Galena,
Dubuque, the Falls Of the Cedar, Council
Bluffs, and the South Pass, to the farther
est limit of our continent. The commu-
nication between Chicago and New York
will, when the present projected enter
prises are completed, be made in two. days.
Nearly all these enterprises will be COM
pleted during the coming year. The &C,
cumulating productions of the great north
west are inviting concentration TO this
point. No road can be made north Of this
and none south has any thing like the ad
vantages Of this route.
The travellers to and from California
are afraid of a southern climate, Europe
is afraid OF a southern climate, the whole
travelling and commercial world desire
this northern route. Ought we not to BE-
making preparations for It? Our south
ern rivals are provoking us to action up
on this subject; our own interests are i'm
| polling US to action, and action is onl,