Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-08
RAILWAY FROM THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY TO
THE PACIFIC

We take the following from one of Mr..
CRocKErr's letters to the St. Louis Intelligen-
Ger;
A line Of steamships of the first class, ought
TO be at once established between this city and
China, and the Government should render eff
ciaI and liberal aid toward such an enterprise,
from which the most momentous results would
flow. IL few millions were expended in get
ting such an undertaking on foot, of what con-
sequence would this be, compared with the vast
Importance Of the trade to be thus secured? In
my judgment, there is scarcely a subject likely
ito claim the attention Of Congress, which
deserves its more serious consideration than the
establishment OF this trade upon a proper foot
ing And in connection with this enterprise it
may not be amiss to say, that the people Of Cali
fornia lock with eager hopes TO the early COM
mencement of the great railway, which at ssme
day, (though | fear distant one) is to connect
California with the Mississippi valley. There
is here vastly more Of interest felt in this mag
nifcent enterprise than had expected TO find,
In the older States it has been but little talked of
for some months past, and fear the idea has
been becoming the more and more prevalent
That The scheme is impracLicable. In California
1t is not so regarded On the contrary, much
more sanguine hopes are entertained here of IFS
speedy commencement and early completion,
than fear the facts will Justify. Since the en-
terprIse was first agitated, several wears ago,
have continued to regard il as emphatcally the
great enterprise of the age, and | regret that
some OF our leading politicians now in public
llle have not taken hold Of it with the energy
and zeal which its importance demands. Since
came TO California my attention has mora than
ever been attracted to the subject, and the more
have seen OF this oountrv and tho move 7 49,,
reflected upon the indispensable necessity for
this road, the more firmly am / convinced that
IN the end, public opinion win enforce Congress
to construct it. ] am fully aware Of the vast
ness Of The enterprise and OF the 3iRicullies
which lie in the way Of It's completion. But if
the enterprise itself be vast, the results which
hang upon it are immeasurabIy Greater. | nave
not now the space TO goinlo details, or to ENLARGE
upon either the feasibility Of making, or the
yaIne OF the road when made. But al an early
day, shall enseayor to present through the col
uhhs Oh the lnieligoncer such considerations
as may occur TO me, in connection with this i'm
I'rlant subject, Twill only say in conclusion
mat no man Of ordinary Intelligence can visit
california, think, and reflect upon its future
destiny, without q thorough conviction that.
sooner or later this road will most certainly be
EsaAs. Sc sooE - che public can be made to
comprehend, in their full magnitude, the inn
mense interests involved in this ENTERPRISE. and
The inestimable value Of California TO The whole
Union, therswill no longer be any difference Of
opinion, as to the absolute necessity for The road
The cost OF it, however startling i NAV apneor
at first, will sink into utter iAsipni6as1oe corn.
pared with the value of the road and the in1u-
ence which it will exert upon the future destiny
of the Republic.