Washington telegraph., 1853-10-26


Senator from South Carolina (Mr Bntler \
-as to the power of the federal government
to create corporation This comnonv al
ready stands before the country CORPORATE
body by virtue of the unquestionable act of
the New York Legislature. 1t asks no
j charter from the federal government. It
seeks no farther privilege fIom any govern
ment save the right of way over the public
lands, and perhaps permission from two
States to cross their borders.
+ Still another difficulty obviated bv the
plan OF the company, and one hardly less
formidable than either of those already
mentioned lies in the discordant interests to
be reconciled in the choice of the route
At every period, for years past, when Pa
cific Railroad has been proposed, either in
or out Of Congress, this has reared itself as
the earliest and most formidable obstacle,
and it now threatens to postpone, if not
wholly to frustrate, this magnificent enter
prise. Congress, composed of the repre-
sentatives of such various sections and in
terests, would never harmonize in the selec-
ton of the route or of the te1mini. and in
the struggles for rival routes, and in the
passions eneendered thereby would DESTROY
the enterprise itself This was so sensibly
felt by able advocates of the road in the
late session of the Senate, that they turned
from Congress to the President, as if hoping
that solitary individual might determine
! the matter, even though he determined it
improperly. But whatever might be the
confidence reposed by the country in the
executive, this would be responsibility
which he could neither willingly nor wisely
assume, and which he could not satisfactor-
ly discharge. The locality of the present
eXecutive-on the extreme border of one
section Of the Union-is peculiarly uniortu-
nate for the assumption upon his part of
such an office. For however fairly and hon
estly be might exercise his discretion, as it
| is but fair to presume he would do, be could
not escape suspicion of sectional prejudice
upon the one hand, or of treacherous
purchase of foreign popularity upon the
other
But if the road be wholly constructed and
owned by this or another company, the route
will be readily and properly determined.
! it always is in such cases, by the commercial
instincts and careful explorations of men
deeply interested, and only interested in
choosing the best and cheapest route. It
does not, Of course, come within the purview
of this letter to enter upon a comparison Of
routes proposed; and especially since one
of the advantages | claim for the scheme l
am attempting to advocate is, that it OBJ
waited Just such discussion. Besides, up
on this subject, | frankly confess myself
very imperfectly informed 1t is surely
premature, since we expect very soon full
/ scientific and official reports upon the sub
iect, to attempt to form private opinions or
public opinion upon our present imperfect
/ information, or upon vague rumors, hasty
ex-parte letters from persons enthusiastic
in their own explorations, and as yet unable
to compare them with these of others. It
is sufficient for the present that all the in
/ formation from all parties encourage us to
/ believe that there are several routes more
/ practicable than it was believed any one
! would be found to be before the recent ex-
/ plorations were set on foot. | may, howev-
| er, confess that | feel, in common with the
people among whom live--as it is natural
/ shoud--a decided preference that the
eastern terminus should be tolerably far
south on the Mississippi river. Twill. how
ever, at the same time express my confidence
that, with a company seeking, of necessity.
the best route the advantages of climate,
and the inestiniabe and undcvefoped, though
not altogether unappreciated, wealth Of the
country. must secure the route upon South
ern territory, if pass through the mo-
; untains equally practicable with those far
L j ~
ports shortly to be laid before us. But if
these advantages are not found with us, we
could rot fairly expect favorable decision
in any mode of arbitrament
That the road can and will be speedily
built by The company, we have sufficient
Guaranty in tie fact that number of emf
! nent financiers statesmen and capitalists,
are willing to embark in the enterprise
A failure will result disastrously to them
alone, and by the terms they propose can
not possibly devolve any loss upon the gov
ernment | will venture to hope that you
will Yourself at no distant day. by the exhi-
bition of facts and arguments which | know
!, to be within your reach, place the feasibility
of this project beyond a doubt and when
if is demonstrated that the work can be
achieved by private enterprise, the last YES
tioe of an excuse for the interference of the
Government will be removed.
As to the advantages to be enjoyed by
} the government, as government. from sucl
t a contract as have briefly shadowed fortl
: and for which she is expected simply tt
nav. and for which she has the unquestiona
} BILE constitutional power to pay-wlthout 60
A ing into any minute statistics a bare allu
sion to them will suggest some idea of thel
] magnitude She is to have her Pacific mail
E transported, which already cost her about I