Washington telegraph., 1849-10-24

vention at Memphis, the primary object
of which, it is understood, is to induce
Congress to authorize survey OF the
different routes which have been sug-
gested for the Atlantic ard Pacific Rail.
road. Three routes have been indicated.
Which ever route, the northern, central
or southern, may ultimately be fixed upon,
it must be so selected as to secure the
confidence and cooperation of the ma
jority of the States and citizens OF this
Union. We need not look for the COM
pletiou, or even the commencement OF
this vast work, unless the location be
such as to satisfy the public that 1t Will
materially promote the general and per-
manent interests of the American people.
There is a great and embarrassing ques-
ton to be adjusted between the North
and South before the Railroad can be To-
Gated. It is thought central route can
not harmonize the conflicting interests,
but will, rather, introduce new difficulties.
No compromise can be permanently based
upon mere temporary considerations
The great problem to be solved seems to
be this-to make the Atlantic and Pacific
Railroad, as national work, the basis OH
which, to settle permanently, by mutual
loci
sight of the compromises which are the
primary elements of our constitution
every question of nature calculated to
cause clashing between northern and
southern interests and institutions
This problem can be solved by fixing
upon the shortest practicable route be
tween Charleston South Carolina, and
San Diego in California. 1t is thought
there are facts and arguments amply sut-
fcient to convince the American people
that this route. more than any other, will
be for the general interests of the Union,
and especially for the North Western
States. Nature, distance, climate, lati-
tude and materieL all favor this route
The gulf of St. Lawrence, Boston harbor
and the harbor of New York. and the
Chesapeake, are the great outlets and
inlets of the commerce and trade of our
Atlantic States and cities. The great
west, or the valley of the Mississippi,
finds these outlets and inlets by means
of canals and railroads. The northwest
is already working south with her rail-
roads to find all outlet in the gulf of Mex
leo; she will also for her interests demand
it, seek an outlet by means of railroad,
out of the reach of frost, to the Pacific at
San Diego. North America tapers south.
A railroad across its greatest width. over
continuous mountain ranges covered with
frosts and SHOWS one half the year, would
be perfect madness. The Charleston and
San Diego route is the shortest that can
be surveyed through the United States
and territories. A survey, however. for
the whole of our territory is called for and
mus: be had. This is necessary to salts
fly the public mind in relation to which
route will most promote the general in
terests of the Union. The American
people must not only see and know the
advantages to be secured by the selected
route, but also the disadvantages that
would arise in adopting any other.
Therefore congress should be petitioned
to authorize the organization of a corps
of scientific men, with suitable assistants,
to make full and complete survey and
exploration of the entire territory belong
ing to the United States, with a view to
ascertain their mineral resources, their
agricultural capacity to produce the sta
pies of the farmer or planter, and what
ever else the bowels and surface of the
earth can produce; and to make and con-
struct suitable geological maps, and topo-
graphical drawings, to exhibit clearly and
distinctly the vast resources of those re-
gions. The American people must have
evidence of their prospective advance
ment. They must kaaoao before they can
instruc: their representatives in Congress
how to legislate for the ultimate compile
ton of this great enterprise. AS pre-
liminary step. (the only one that can be
taken at presently the Memphis con-
vention will doubtless petition congress
to authorize the above survey and ex-
ploration; and at the same time it may
be prudently suggested whether this en-