The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-05
Isos THE sEPuBuc.]
Mr.. Whitney's Plan OF . Railroad % the
Raox0e.

~
-. - HAaHoed 20 the
.e1
MBssns. EDITons: The general incroasino and
lively interest manifested Of late for railroad 10
the Pacific, and the prevalent conviction that n
must long be stteInpted under public and leenl
sanction, would seem to Justify 4 CONFEDERATION and
discussion as to the best plan and the most desra
BILE route; and inaQnueh a. Mr. whitney, after
many years Of study and investigation Of The sub
ject. has brought to ii an amount of Information
which can hardly fail 70 be useful. which has st-
cured the respectful attention. and the recon-
mendation Of numerous public bodies, including
the Legislatures Of twenty different States Of the
Union, and upon the basis Of which bills were re-
portedone TO the House of Representatives in Con-
grcss, and one TO the Senate in Is4S both from Sc
lect committees q view 10 the enactment Of
law for the building Of this road il hardly needs an
apology for taking Up the subject now for the con-
-. q. ,.,,,n.,
-, - $3.50 = -. 80 '-'. : ~ 49,
lncsc are several, and, as seems 70 me, sevcrally
interesting and important. J. The leading Pv!nci-
pc Of this plan % create capital for the building
Of tho road by ne set. movement Of the enterprise,
AFTER adequate authority shall have been obtained
from an act OF Congress- u proposes to create the
capital, NO money, no help. nothing is asked but
p0mtsHon; consequently, no body or party is to be
taxed, ana no commercial value whatever taken,
30 tnat no Dody or party can complain 1t was al
,~r ~ ne ~ Sss q that reported
IN tne'r niln respectively 10 be paid by MIR. Whit
ney for the lands required, was full value. The
entire capital, therefore, TO be employed IL to be
the land and territory through which il is TO pass
value impaired BY the nature Of the plan and
~ ~ own movement. Consequently not far
tnnf o. value demanded in aid Of the object from
any Foreign quarters nothing but that which is con-
scquent on the undertaking.
This may be properly termed principle Of the
PlAnLa peculiar principle; and II can hardly be
Us. ~. wa. = one o. great energy Princi
W. was not, ana on the basis thereof moves 70
s ~: u us purpose dispensing win
o'6 Au'
~ another OF the principles OF this plan, itself
also pecunar, ana endowed with like and equal
energy a. the one above noticed 10 TO secure the end
OF Jves transport OF passengers, goods and merchan
disc across the continent and thus TO originate and
sustain commercial exchanges, on an Immense
scale, between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes OF
TINS vas. held OF productions ALSO between this held
ana ASIA, and between Europe and Asia; and to
draw INTO the most intimate commercial contact
sne rsmo!cT ~ regions q productive industry. is
part Of the plan, when the road shall have been
completed by the capital created IN its own pro-
gress 70 denver over 70 the United States, free
cost 70 DC forever 1T the service OF the country and
OF tnc world with no other imposition OF toll than
the trifing consideration which may BIO necessary
TO keep the road and its machinery in repair; and
any traction OF that consideration, if thought best,
may DC dispensed with At the discretion OF the gov
eminent OF the United states
mus the necessity OF what Is called profit for the
outlay Of capital, or the income of investments is
entirely superseded, and commercial exchanges
can in this way be afforded and made profitable,
not only between the eastern and western slopes of
this continent, but between this country and Asia,
and between Europe and Asia, and also between
the rcmotest regions of human industrv-ex-
changes the largest and most comprehensive
scale, which could not otherwise be afforded, and
which, therefore, would otherwise take place.
From state of comparative inaction, as little
Election will show, the commerce of this continent
and Of the world would, by the operation of this
principle, spring into life and vigor and branch
out TO an extent outstripping almost imagination
itself For example and illustration suppose that
Mr.. Whitney's road were at this moment ready TO
go into operation ON this principle-does not every
one see that the agricultural and manufactured
products of the eastern slope of this continent would
be instantly exchanged for the precious metals of
the WESTERN and that the valley of the Mississippi
would, to great extent, feed China in exchange
for it, productions3 II would be vain to attempt
TO show that this principle could be brought
into operation independent Of Mr.. Whitneys
plan and its marvellous scope and potency
wil % OBVIOUS TO those who viii duly con-
siocr ~. MY present object u simply TO state
Inc principle, 20 that Its character can be