The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-25
From the Philadelphia Gazette.
Our Connection with the West.


Every day discoses fact and reason calcua-
ted TO exhibit in more favorable point OF view the i'm
advantages which TO result to this city from
the completion of the great Central road-advantages
which be estimated by any OF The standards Of
binary computation since IT will be the beg ginning OF
in commercial aspect The general considera.
tons OF interest which connected with this work are
familiar To readers and have often been presented in
these columns They apparent in themselves,
cofding to notion, TO require no arguments to plead
in their behalf Whoever will take the map and trace
the region OF country through which the road destined
TO pass when its extensions in the West and South
constructed will nj glance that philadelphia must
inevitably become the depot OF the trade OF the western
apd southwestern States This will be the market for
selling their produce and for purchasing their supplies
We do moi speculate upon probabilities suggested by
own anxiety witness such result but proceed upon
the well established laws which regulate the intercourse
betweea communities and decide the interests OF men
Western merchants will come here, because Philadelphia
is nearer to them than New York, and offers many ia
ees because he, goods can be TRANSPORTED more es
ment 10 90 further. These obvious and practical
sons, which apparent 10 everybody and they are the
reasons which must operate IN producing the conse.
quences which we have so often and 80 confidently pre-
dicted
New York has struggled long and earnestly to obtain
the trade and her vast Improvements have been
undertaken mainly with The view OF graspng that golden
treasure We have Just witnessed the extraordinary de.
nonstra,ons OF rejoicing at the completion Of The Erie
railroad by which the waters OF the lakes and those Of
the Atlantic to be blended together And we honor and
respect the enterprise and the feeling OF State pride which
characterized the proceedings that occasion nay,
more would hold them up as honorable incentives to
our own people TO 60 and do likewise. We can ad-
me too, The spir, which induced Boston. commenda
BILE rivalry, 10 construct her western road and thus tap
the State works OF New York 10 divide 10 d-
vert this western trade II these cities upon the
promptngs of indirect advantage can afford such
nous investments, and expend 40 much energy they
have exhibited, how much more does become US, who
are TO be brought in immediate communication with the
valleys OF the Ohio and Mississippi and 10 enjoy the
benefits of direct western commerce. To he alive TO all the
present and prospective considerations connected with this
enterprise and TO neglect occasion for xhblng its
importance All the improvements of the Slate OF New
York combined do not offer speedy and safe. and de-
srable avenue 10 the West our Central railroad
will do when completed, and might say is already
doing, while yet in progress Of construction We have
the advantage OF geographical position which cannot
be superseded by any arhciai means Ours Is the nau
raj highway to the West, and in little than year
from this time tens OF thousands OF passengers and heavy
irains of merchandise will furnish substantial usa-
ton OF the truth OF this remark Ohio Indiana, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Missouri and the more sou,berly
not necessary to say that will deal where interest
directs. Time in this age is money. II merchant in
Louisville or in New Orleans-for the principle APP
plies in both cases-can three DAYS and the
additional expense of attending Journey TO New York
and Boston, and al the time be as well supplied in
Philadelphia, is II reasonable TO suppose that he will go
else where
II upon such data as these and upon no mere san.
guine anticpauons, that have based our opinions
the effects OF the Central railroad upon the
prosperity OF Philadelphia, confident that they will be
more than vlndcaed and that the road itself will prove
valuable investment, although that would be esteemed
by secondary matter compared with the increased
value oil property OF all kinds and the enlargement OF
commerce that would necessarily follow. Our great RI
val has long the danger that threatened her trade by
the completion OF this vast avenue 10 the West and
SOUTH and she has accordingly pushed forward with re-
narkable and praiseworhy zeal all her works hoping
hereby TO avert the doom which is plainly written But