Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-02-21
THE WHITNEY RAIL ROAD.

railway communication from Lake Michi-
gan to the Pacific Ocean, and to obtain
from them grant Of belt OF land sixty |
miles in width between those two points !
for the purpose Of enabling him TO make |
the road. This body have generally been
so much occupied in making Buncombe
speeches and discussing the merits of tri1es,
as to take but little notice of this magnif-
cent scheme. After trying in vain to pro-
cure the necessary legislation upon the
subject, Mr.. Whitney, with that indomita-
BILE energy and perseverance which is al
ways the accompaniment Of superior geni-
us, crossed the Atlantic and laid his plans
before the British public. There he met
with the opposition and prejudice which a
great and novel project always excites. A
foreigner, and that foreigner an American,
awoke the jealousies Of the English, and the
scientific men of the British association, and
the Royal Geographical Society, TO whose
opinions an English people pay SO much
Difference, expressed themselves decidedly
opposed TO the project. But prejudice and
jealousy yielded to the strong power of
truth. Mr.. Whitney contended alone and
unaided against the opposition which pre-
sented itself from every quarter. His plans
were submitted to the closest and severest
scrutiny and discussed in his own presence
by the learned associations. He opened
his project to them with straitforwardness
and frankness, he summed up his geograph-
ical and scientific data with force and
clearness, and his practical deductions were
clear and unquestiouable. Opposition was
vanquished and became a generous sympa-
thy. Distinguished scientific men became
his converts and wealthy capitalists hasten
ed TO offer the requisite means for the great
enterprise. The English government, ever
farseeing and enterprising, saw that the
communication between the Atlantic and
Pacific could as well be made through the
Canadas as through the United States and
were ready to make the necessary appro-
priations TO accomplish the work. But
while the negotiations were pending be-
fore the American Congress, Mr.. Whitney
declined hearing any other proposals. His
object is to secure the monopoly Of this
great commercial speculation TO American
capital and give the superior advantages it
offers to the American government And
he has returned TO this country 10 make a
final effort to induce Congress to accept bis
propositions. 1t now remains for them to
determine whether this railway shall be
made upon American or English ground.
That it will be made is certain. Years OF
unnecessary delay have already interviewed
and no step has been made toward securing
the great end. This session will probably
decide the question. Public opinion has
already declared in favor Of Mr.. Whitney's
views and it is now for our representatives
to give effect to the general sentiment. ga
lew weeks says an English paper, "may
determine whether or not this enterprise,
which the violence Of party politics has
inde6aitely and unwisely postponed at
Washington, shall be transferred to British
ground"
r Perhaps no American has erer visited
England With such success as Mr.. Whit
ney, He vent there as the expositor Of a
vast and novel project which his own gov.
: ernment were slow to approve and the
English public imperfectly understood
He met no sympathy and much opposition
His data We're disputed and his deductions
questioned. National rivalry arrayed agaius
him the scientific men of the kingdom.-
But his great knowledge, strosg reasoning
!, integrity OF purpose aud steady persever
ance, converted opposition into confidence
and support. and he returned home emi
nently successful, having enlisted foreigi
y nation in behalf OF his views, and bearin;
: the congratulations Of the people for tn
- completion of an undertaking which ha
y distinguished his iorethought and ingenuity
,- 10 METHODIST MovEMENr.-There
l. strong movement now making in the cit.
x and various other places to alter the gov
m ernment Of the Methodist Church, at th
q Sd of March Convention, in favor oi L.
ID delegates. Al a meeting of the Ebenezs
l. NJ. Z. Church, at Washington city, on Sal
Us urday last, the vote on this question stoo
y, 2e for lay delegation and ie against it,