Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-03-01
The Pacific Railroad.


The project of connecting San Francisco wit
the Mississippi by Railroad from some ellglol
point on the latter direct to the former, is yer
properly engaging the attention OF Congress- an
we hone that something will be done at the pres
ent session that will ensure at an early day TIL
execution of this magnificent work There III,
several propositions under the consideratio o
that body, varying in their details, but all base
upon the same principle. The Importance an
necessity of opening direct communication be
tween the Atlantic and Pacific through the terri
tory of the Union cannot but be admitted by ever
body The present sea routes uiG the lSthmuS an
Lake Nicaragua can be popular and proftab.'
only as long no other more desirable route
comes into competition with them. They will
very well in time of peace and in The absence OF
Railroad across the plains; but few citizens, W.
presume, would be satisfied at the prospect of
permanent existence of the present arrangements
There is obviously strong feeling throughout tn
country IN favor of Mississippi md Pacific Rail
road, and this feeling is daily becoming warme
and stronger, and we do not doubt-lndeed, W.
are pretty sure-that it will be irresistible in ii
influences upon the next Congress if not upon tn.
present. Out OF the several plans already projec
ted, and to be yetproected, one will be found suf
GENTLY meritorous in all its features to secure thu
necessary favor of the Government Tor Its accom-
plishment. The exlgencies of the country impen
ously demand the construction of the Road we an
advocating by the shortest practicable route t.,
California from the Atlantic coast The cost of thu
work, it is true, will be very heavy. Sixty million
of dollars, perhaps, will barely suffice to maxi,
it. But what is such sum to such Treasury a
ours, even supposing, which Is not probable, tina
no association of private capitalists could be or
ganized to undertake it? If the price we paid 70 .
Cali fornia was a hundred millions (and we believe
that the Mexican war, including the payments e
Mexico under the Treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo,
amounted to at least that SUM surely we may
afford to appropriate sixty millions 10 worl
which will ensure the preservation and boundleS
prosperity OF that land of gold. What, we ask,
would be its condition if a war with France o.;
l % hrAa N,.f9 Ill he ~
completely cut off from the Union and as totally
valueless as il was when Mexican possession.
We could not defend it with any military or ma
val forces, and, destitute as it is Of Notifications
and atmaments, it would fall an easy prey to the
enemy. A war between the United States and
any foreign power would crush the rapidly multi
plying energies of this young commonwealth,
which contributes SO mnch by its precious metal
to the growth and opulence of our Republic. We
do not make this alluson to hoStllltles with Other
States because we have any apprehenSions OF their
occurrence. But they are possible-and the bare
possibility of such calamity is an argument, and
not light one for our adopting timely measures.
for qua riding and protecting our Pacific territory
against the evil. The Peace Society of England
has not yet, by a long way, triumphed with its
meetings and its discussions, over the war princi
Pile which it is Strenuously seeking 10 overcome
1t is no easy matter to extinguiSh the passion foI
military glory and conqueSts, which, for more than
forty centuries, has been cherished by the nations
| of the earth. If such Z triumph should ever be
achieved it will only be after long and desperate
struggle between the peace and the war prinoi
pies. Nor can we shut our eyes to the fact that
there is, in the United States, party whose spir
and plans are very different from the spirit and
plans of the Cobdens and the Brights of England.
Cass and Douglas would die if they had to listen
only to the counsels and the uments of peace
makers. But we need not pursue our thoughts
any further upon this subject at present. 1t is mo-
our purpose to signify anything more than our ap-
probation of The great scheme of constructing a
railroad, with little delay possible, to the Pa
cifc from the Mississippi, with capacity sufficient
to accommodate the vast trade and travel which
will pass over it. And to this expression of our
sentiments, we will add the expression of our best
wishes for the success of its advocates in Congress.
and we hope that it may not be many years before
the steam horse will astonish the natives all the
way between Missouri and the Sacramento.-Pe-
tersburg InteLigencer.