The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-31

Considerable enthusiasm seems to exist in relation to
the new railway scheme across the ishmus OF Darien
and bill Tor aiding private enterprise in the construction
OF this no doubt very important national object IL now
before Congress II will nevertheless be considerable and
proper IN the government not 10 act definitely, without
thorough Investigation of the subject Statesmen must
not be enthusiasts; and enterprises OF such vast import
aBce ought not TO be embraced with that ready ardor
with which young lover throws himself into the arms
of his mistress.
The Panama railway enterprise is not new and un-
explored road to wealth. just bursting lis like the great
gold region OF California Ii is scheme which has been
thought Of and reflected upon by every civilized nation
IN Euope and which, thus far after thorough examl
nation by competent scientific men, has been beggared for
The want OF support. Ii is the Belle OF more than one
season, and ought TO be approached only with due
ton, though not without respect II she were really
cy of the stores OF lnda-thee reasonable presump
non she would not have remained single for three
young America ERgand-who has dotted the globe with
her possessions-who has planted her power barren
rocks and craters of vocanoeswould long ago have
cured THIS Invaluable jewel, which, we are told, will
command the commerce OF the world and we would
have seen some company Of adventures, trading TO In
da. Hudsons bay, Van Diemens Land" not only in
possession o the road but the land itself through which
might lead. There is negative evidence IN the his
tory of the sthmus of Daren, which is entitled to
consideration, and into which ought carefully TO in
quTe before We pledge the faith Of the government
Bit, aside froh these negative differences, there
many positive reasons why the contemplated railway
across the sthnus of Panama should not be hastily
dertaken IL Is not usual Tor governments, any more
than for private individuals to invest money in foreign
improvements, without adequate security Tor the amount
reasonable reversonary interest in case OF failure
In all business ransactions OF Dur government with c
of the United Sates the latter required to find
suretes for the rigid ullment of their contracts, and
there is no reason why IN the present case the rule
should suffer exception. If, in the opinion of prac
teal men, the enterprise Is feasible, and easy OF execu
ton, the projectors, who highly respectable mer
chants OF New York, will find no difficulty in finding
should be found visionary by practical business men,
then there why the government should as
sumo greater risks than these men.
In making heavy an outlay as five millions OF dol
lars ought to be certain that the object for which that
money spent is really attained by il, and that cannot
be attained at cheaper rate elsewhere. Ii regular
and speedy commune aiOn with California is our prlnci-
pal and Immediate object, increase in the number OF
our mail steamers on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans
would be much more direct OF attaining it than
the construction of railway across the isthmus, to be
completed in EIGHT YEARS. and which, when fnshed
will at best but a few hours OF long and tedious
journey.
In regard to the appropriation of five Millions it might
not be nexpedent to inquire whether that less sum
of money might not be profitably employed on
some other route, Gerng the same purpose. There
several railway schemes now before Congress two
the continent and two across the shmus There
exist as vet sufficient and established why any
one of these should be preferred oa the rest We have
not yet had the time to examine their respective merits
and until that is done, the government ought not to rem
der itself liable to the charge OF favOrsn by aiding one
at the expense of the others or deprive itself OF the adj
vanlages which might result from the competition OF these
rivals for its patronage
As general rule the government ought not TO adj
large amounts foreign investments, but allow
liberal compensation for the OF the road after 1t is
completed Such policy, apart from IFS justice, would,
perhaps, be quite eiecual in stimulating the contract.
ors 10 quick completion of the road, eight annual
instruments in advance of it, COMMON SENSE.