The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-05
From The London Morning Chronicle, Dec. %
Mr. whitney, Railroad Project.

mar. whitaey's Railroad ProJeet.
The rapid progress which the United States are making
owaus the completion OF vast and intricate network al
railway communication not only between The populous
towns and districts in their territory but through regions
sole from civilization and difficult of access one of
he most striking features in the social and industrial his
Tory Oh The confederation. For example, recent intel
gence from New York the opening OF The Hud
son river railroad one hundred and ory-three miles in
length and Notwithstanding all have heard about the
mere tramways of America the first complete tourney
over mat line was performed IN three hours and half or
al the very respectable speed OF rather more than forty
miles an hour But OF all the schemes of this description
winch have been brought before the American people
MI Asa Whitney's plan for railway from Lake Miehi-
gan to the Pacific is unquestionaby the most importnt
and II is probable that during the session of Congress
which has just commenced il will be finally determined
whether or not the project shall be pressed any fur.
liner upon the acceptance OF the United States govern
ment is to be apprehended that the excitement pre-.
vailng among transatlantic politicians with reference 10
questions which unhappiy have far less claim on their
attention than bona de schemes for the material advance
ment OF their country will prevent any decisive steps be-
ing taken IN Congress 10 give effect the general sent-
menls OF the American public in favor of Mr. Whtney's
views The rodomonade 10 be exchanged with M Kos
suh the reagltaon OF the slavery question: and the alb
sobing topic of the next presidential election will in all
Likelihood, render the laboTs of the federal legislature
exceedingly barren Of useful results II is also not i'm
probable that the delay which has taken place at Wash
ingon IN deciding upon Mr.. Whitney's plan may have
rendered mpractcabe for the United States any longer
to afford the facilities which at time existed within
their territory for the construction OF the Pacific line
Happily, however i may not be impossible carry out
weeks may determine whether or not this enterprise,
which the violence OF party politics has indefinitely and
unwsely postponed at Washington, shall be transferred
to British ground.
For our own part, have felt so strongly the desira
bleness Of carrying out, II possible, such scheme of
communications that we have repeatedly, during the last
three months, brought the leading facts and arguments
connected with Mr.. Whtney's project under the notice
of our readers. Since last adver,ed 10 the subject
that gentleman has had the good fortune 10 have his
plans discussed. in his presence by distinguished
men and learned associations, TO whose opinions in ali
matters connected with science, the English people are
accustomed to pay much Difference Nor is their infu
ence confined to this country merely for any Judgment
which may be strongly pronounced by the authorities 10
whom we shall presently have 10 refer cannot fail of
being respected in every part OF the civilized world Com
ing TO England the expositor of scheme which was
very imperecy understood out OF the United States Mr.
Whitney had the good sense TO that his best chance
of success lay in The adoption, from the very first of
perfectly frank and straightforward line Of conduct
and in total avoidance OF all those airs of assumption
and mystery which loo often accompany and mar
The PRONUNCIATION OF new projects He was evident
ly well aware that, if he was to produce any deep
and lasting impression in this country could only be by
submitting his plans TO the most unsparing scrutiny and
by being ready at all times to consider and obec-
tons He pursued this course and the result did not dis
appoint him AT first he found but little sympathy and
he met with formidable opposition His data were dis
puted and his practical conclusions were held to be ex
ceedngy questionable. Still he persevered and strong
IN the integrity OF his purpose and in the bona e nature
OF his proceedings he was successful in converting
opponents, satisfying objecors and winning the cordial
confidence and support OF impartial persons, than perhaps
any other American who has visited for the pur
pose OF promoting commercial enterprise This result
the honorable TO him because he achieved with
out resorng TO any of the usual OF popular mis-
sonay and we not thathe influence which his
visit has Produced IN giving better and ulster of
the sterling American character. will not be among the
most important OF the indirect benefits which will arise
from the discussion OF his project
One of the first scientific bodies before which Mr.
Whitney laid his views the Royal Geographical So.
cety and although was generally acknowledge among
those who heard him that occasion that his scheme
was ingenious, there was no lack Of objections of the
most fundamental character Ii was believe al the
meeting referred to that Captain Ftztoy and Mr. Robert
Stephenson both expressed themsevesin terms more or
less Observation-Disclosures TO the project Other public bodies
and meetings were addressed with very much the same
result Mr.. Whitney then made his appearance before
the British Association at its late Ipswich meeting and |
his scheme there underwent searching discussion, the
issue OF which was most satisfactory. We believe that
il had the effect OF producing a complete change in |
the sentiments OF Captain Flzroy and MIR Stephenson
and that both those eminent authorities con-
WINGED OF the paceablliiy OF the enterprise We under
stand also that Sir Roderick Murchson, the president of
the Royal Geographical Society," having surmount ted some
early mlsgivngs 10 the soundness OF the project rem
dered most material assistance to Mr. Whitney in his
later proceedings in this country And whilst on the one
hand the support OF the most distinguished scientific au
thores has been thus accorded his scheme has been
duly appreciated by capitalists the other Offers OF
The requisite meansln RETURN oil for correspond
ing grants OF participation in the profits OF the enterprise
have been made from several quarters but in the pres
ent state OF the negotiations with the American Congress-
they have necessarily been declined Such offers are
however, OF great Importance indicating the opinions
Of those who leaving TO others the philosophy and the
theory OF the undertaking, themselves mainly
with It's practical merits as a commercial speculation
We have more than alluded to the inpedimen
which might not improbaby arise the realization of
Mr. Whitneys scheme within the United States territory
consequence OF the preoccupaton OF all most of the
ands the western side of Lake Michigan and on the
belt OF country which that region would form the east
ern terminus OF the line, 10 in this a more
appropriate word its eastern "della" The occupation
Of those lands s proceeding with great rapdy, and Mr.
Whitney is we believe, prepared TO find that by delaying
pass The bill oil authorization the Congress has in eff
ect deprived itself OF the of granting the requisite
powers and facilities Tor carrying out the work. In that
,ven however, there stll remains the parallel belt of
country the British side OF the frontier Ii is certain
hat the line could be made through that territory and if
rom the cause 10 which have adverted, the American
scheme should FAIL the alternative thus offered will, we
rust, be duly considered There is no question of ma
iona rivalry in this matter. Provided that the line be
made, of little consequence whethert be constructed
within the American or the British border by American
IT British settlers. What want is the railway and
he hearty cooperation of both nations in making it,
This is emphatcally OF those works which are for
he whole world and for all me--whch too gigantic
Mr. sHthty feceniS returned 10 Ameriea isova
ne great project 10 which he has devoted hmself Ia :
os,non SO lar as regards this country which nina, H.
ghy satisfactory TO the friends OF progress and
1ent On both sides OF the Atlantic He came amongs, ne
iinos stranger, and he perhaps not ep,irev laval
.nose pfeudces and approximations which are nreva
mi IN American society with reference 10 En0Ish ,ra
zeal OF Transatlantic schemes and enterprises IL @ T.
e3ed 70 pe stranger and he has carried back with bi
'enost abundant testimony that neither the at,en,;
orlhe support OF Englishmen withheld from men ,h y
kehm, present themselves the honest straohtror y
'l aa intelligent representatives of projects thai are A
solld 20 sustain thorough examination lie oe