Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-06
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1858.

When the enlightened views Of the Admins
tration were lately made public, IN regard % 'he
constitutional authority Of Congress 10 appropriate
money "a make great national railroad or high
uav we hardly expected that the assertion OF the
would escape the strong dissent Of that stereo
typed school Of politicians in Virginia to whom may
almost be applied Napoleon's remark about the
Bourbons, that they learn nothing and forget no
,h;ne, It is without surprise, therefore, that we
see the Richmond Enquirer, the ancient oracle and
champion of that venerable school Of abstraconists,
come out in decided opposition to the expositions OF
The Union in regard to the Pacific Railroad ques,
ton. After due examination, it is decided that the
arguments in support Of the great continental high
way do not square with "Ute resolutions Of '9e,
that embodiment Of all political wisdom, Of stand
still advancement, and backward progress; and,
therefore, that the said arguments are heterodox
and contrary to the "Virginia doctrines" There
upon the Enquirer has, as in duty bound, proceeded
to show the heresy Of the Administration in the
premises, by reproducing some Of the most striking
Of those venerable dogmas which may be found IN
the files Of that respectable journal, passa during
the last forty years. Now, we regard the Admins
tration, in this matter, in the light of esteemed
friend who has been wandering in the paths of error
for long time. tryisg to turn over Now loaf ana
mend HE wavs Our sympathies, therefore, are
with the Looa in this contest, and, though we may
not With proprety lend it helping hand we can at
least fair play, by giving to its articles the bene-
6t sf our circulation in Virginia, which, with its
swn, may make some approach to the universally
Of the Enquirer in that ancient Commonwealth
We accordingly give the second article Of the Union
PROM THE WASHINGTON UNION or AUGUST J.
In the argument which submitted few days since
mon the consttuonality of Governmentalad to the Pa
fc railroad we particular to base the power upon
he single consideration Of the necessity of the work as
means Of protection and defence in fu6lment of plain
obligation imposed by the Constitution In view Of
the Constitution the inducements to embark in the enter
rr;se arising out of the incacuabe commercial advan
taes and benefits promised by its contamination, cannot
be lertimaRly weighed in ascertanng the existence OF
rover but on the other hand such incidental and col
lateral coniderations may well be allowed quicken the
energies Of the Government. and to hasten much as
possible the final accomplishment Of the undertaking
But it must be borne in mind that there are prelim
nary questions be arranged even after the constn
tiona power is conceded which may result in much more
b to its friends We propose to advert briefly to some
Of these questions with the hope that may be able to
make such prudential suggestions as may contribute in
some measure to their earlier settlement.
IN the presen. financial condition Of the Government il
is obvious that we have abundant means to secure the
completion Of the road within space Of time that all
would regard a reasonable But until the route Of the
road determined the sucency Of cannot be
inside available. The selection of the route, therefore,
presents the frs. preliminary question to be adjusted
few years ago there would have been another question
preliminary to thisthe practcabihty Of any route The
late umrhsof science anienergy, however, have pretty
nearly withdrawn this question from consideration in rail-
road enterprises 1t may be well, however to remember
that the obstacles which have heretofore ea ior the
HIGHEST decree Of scientific skip I'D the greatest amount
Of physical energy ara penary capacity nave
= bs elevations which have crossed the hesoi
;,. fhese have been successfully overcome but,
!; EDITION 10 these there are others Of wholly DIFF
s4 Matte which understood to stand in the way
81 he petite road may be that some Of the contem-
,o routes may prove mpracticable on account Of the
ms and tina. others may be equally 50 on account OF
A desert wastes butnl the explorations and surveys
" beinr made shall ascertain different result, we shall
aonht tina, one or more routes viii be found entirely
raotcable We have greater apprehensions arising from
the expectation that the reports Of these surveys w
rival practicable routes, between which It VIII be
necessary to make selection
II il in anticipation Of such result that we apprehend
most formidable obstacle to the early OF
the enterprise The fact Is notorious that ndiVldual
statesmen of commanding talents and influence are al-
ready deeply enlisted in giving prominence to competing
lines and that individual enterprise Is actively employed
in ascertainng for itself other routes than those deg
mated for examination by the Government We adyertto
these facts not to object oensure but only to show that
the selection Of the route after all the surveys are COM
eted is destined to become the most stubborn obstacle
in our way unless the friends Of the enterprise carefully
guard against those nexorahe feelings which are too apt
to spring up on geographical sectional questions Now
Is the time to look at the subject deliberately 1t OIL
ways best to look danger full in the face and to prepare
for II in advance Let the friends Of the road examine
The most formidable aspect in which the question may
arise suppose the issue comes up between nortern
and southern route-and we not the first who have
used these words-how is the selection TO be made
Who does not see in this question the little dark spot
which may grow into the sorm-cloua2 We know not how
other friends of the enterprise may regard the matter
but for ourselves constrained 10 say that we look
forward to the issue with gloomy forebodngs We are
heartily sick Of sectional agtions and hence, when we
see prominent politicians preparing issue which may
be made the preext for the revival Of such agaons in
their worst FORM we cannot but look to the future with
some misgiyings
All issues which involve antagonistic interests are dim
Of adjustment and the difficulty increases when its
discussion necessarily engenders sectional feelings and
local ieolouses when these elements Of