The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-10
The PaCiflC Railroad.

American, upon the questions involved in the discussions
now going to The Pacific railroad will be found
interesting. The North American quotes an extract
from Col. Davs's lae revised speech and proceeds 10
remark as follows:
Ths plain, uneqnivocal avowal OF The Secretary of
War surely leaves no room for future nisapprehenson
the position of the administration relative 10 This
question OF the construction of the Pacific railroad with
IN The territories Of the United States with lder,i
means Il deyoay be wished that having taken their
stand openly and decidedly upon this question: thew
will be driven from IL hereafter by any nj
party expediency 10 already apparent that opposition
must DO expected from that division of the democracy
which has hitherto held the views respecting tho
want Of power in the government aid system OF INFER
nal improvement but against this detection the admjp
ra,ion may confidently rely upon popular su pport In is
advocacy Of the great has sspoused compo,ed
of the intelligent national men of all parties.
However stouty it may be contended by fsw imprsc
cabe politicians that the views Of the adm a.
expressed by Secretary Davis be with,
violation Of consistency, all sensible minds will per.
ceve and acknowledge that they perfectly reconcile
able with the doctrine OF sc. constitutional construction
70 the utmost extent to which that doctrine has boen
be- soundly nationally carried Never before
in the history of the country has occurred which,
lis peculiar character, fully and clearly justified the
practical application CT the authority OF the 10
construct road. as mere measure Of military defence
as 10 presented in the propose railway Pacific
and in recognising tho exigency nperatvey demand
the exercise Of constitutional power ssy grant,
departing from principle Of political si,h but simply a.
firm that has for tho fret tme arisen, sord
nga just and legitimate opportunity to apply Il practically
II The wing of the nation rejoces that democratic
Executive prepared urge the Of road
TO the Pacific national road. be built national
easure this Circumstance should be pposed TO
rate from belief that there has been any change demo-
cratic policy. We gratihed that improvement OF
such public consequence has been admitted fall
within the sirctes rule oil construction relative tight
Of the make aid il. and con.
cede that il involves alteration relations Of
whig and dcmoc ratio parties the question oil cons,u
tiona power relied upon In the
IN doubt the necessity of the Pacific railroad
Tor the purposes OF national defence; shall waste
words in endenvoring demonstrate pisin propo'i-
oo On this principle alone the government Is not only
legally competent but s absolutely bound 10 construct H.
Tho importance Of prompt exeon Of tho right, however,
be shown by stating the immense value OF the proper
~ ahoat on the Pacific. to nothing of this seue
menis its shores The number Of vessels 10 said
be S4 with 4e3 1853 tonnage and employing 900 Aner
lean The aggregate Of property appraised
seventy millions Of dollars. This Is rapidly augmentipg
with the cxpanron Of trade in s region, and
Of with OF the great sava powers Of the cnrh
IL coud be swept from the before defensive force
could be round the Horn project and
our people upon the Of the republic.
AS regards the OF the government for
ting tho work. they will obviously be fully adequate for the
purpose. The present balance in The treasury IL twenty
millions of dollars and by tho fst OF July, 1e5a-he
close Of the current 6scal yesrthcfs will he suspu,
provided The Imports continue in the ratio, and allow
be made for the five millions be invested The
loan Of 1857 80, advertised for. With this annually
accommodating excess OF income, there win be ample
to build the road and while FOR obvious poicy
II will be desirable to have suitable mode Of distrbu
ling this immense influx OF treasure part Of the active
productive capital OF the country instead OF shutting up
from circulation in the federal cc.rs Tho risk OF m be
ing converted to corrupt wasteful cnd there certainly
could bs to which II could be wisely and ben
ehcisy appropriated Than the opening Of grsnd high
way, which, means Of public defence, fstrengbenns
tho bonds OF federal union, and Of advancing the nation be-
yond all oh-r countries In commercial prosperity and In
huence, would be the important work ifs moral
suits ms well as In rnsteris msznfcence, ever under
taken. !, i the happy fortune OF democratic admnsrs
iion to have In It's power, without have said,
cedng om violating In any degree It's distinctive pof.
cal principles, crecute this noble enterprise and they
shall have the resolution improve their privilege they
will gnalize their rule in emitting them the
applause OF the present time and the rsefu snsdcton
Of the latest poverty Of the re oubc."