The Nevada journal., 1853-10-28
Pacific Railroad.


The Pacific Railroad question largely
occupies the attention Of many Of the lead
ing journals Of the Atlantic and gives US
a prenonition of the exciting and angry
contest which may be expected when the
surveys come before Congress for its action
naxt spring. Many Influential journals
oppose the proposition that it should be a
government wo.fc, CT that the government
should give any important aid tc the en-
terprise. Seme deem the road impracii-
cable; others say that the government
cannot construct it to so good advantage as
q private company, and that immense rev.
enues will be squandered upon it if gov
eminent undertakes the work.
The New York Journal OF Commerce
takes the lead in opposition to the work,
and we apprehend its main ground Of op
position is that It will be likely to take
away a considerable traffic from n. York,
and give ii to the Atlantic terminus Of the
road, or some contiguous accessible point
thereto. The Alpha and Omega ef the
Journal Of Commerce is the benefit Of the
city Of New York. and SO that tais is
achieved Il cares br. little for anything
lse.
We have no doubt that the Railroad will
Ie built, and probably mainly or entirely
ty government funds because if a ier of
States on The Pacific is to be added 10 the
Union, the Road will become a political
social, commercial, military and naval me-
ccssitY. Without it he States and terri
tories springiag up on this side Of fhe
Rocky Mountains, must bC separated from
the Atlantic states md become separate
and independent republic.
Without such q road tl.s Pacific territory
will only he associated with the ether
States during the continuance Of peace
The frst war with any powerful maritime
nation would utterly destroy all the trade
ezisting between cur population oa the
Atlantic and tic Pacific.
We know there are many difficulties to
~ encountered in the construction Of a
railroad through 1000 miles of prairie,
mountain and desert, lying a howlng
waste between the Pacific coast ans the
Mississippi; bat it must be done and will
he done, however much it may cost, even
up to half million dollars mile. Better
the money be squandered thus than be ex-
pended IN war
The struggle will be between the mid.
die and the southern route: for whatever
may be said 10 the contrary. it would be
folly for either the government or any joint
stock companies to commence the constxuc-
tion of moro than one line for many years
to come. The indications are that lie
southern route through Texas will be adop
ted, though the report of the surveyors, and
other movements, may charge the aspect
of things during the next winter. The
greatest objections TO the Texas route seem
to be the large quantity of arid, sandy des-
erts through which it will pass; and the
difficulty of obtaining wood and water, and
the unhealthy character Of the country in
summer Some, possibly all except the
last of these objections, apply also to the
middle route. Of the northern route less
seems to be known and thought, and yet
it is highly probable that it is the best, and
the only strong objection to it is the long
and cold winters, prevalent in a portion Of
the country.
We say now, as we have said before,
that if your government cannot construct
such work. without squandering a large
sum of money. by entrusting it to incom-
petent or unfaithful contractors, then has
it failed in one of the great aims and ends
for which government is established. 1t
il an insult to the honesty and intelligence
of the people TO say, that they will always
allow the public money to be wasted and
appropriated to the benefit of political prof
ligate spectators. There are honest and
capable men who will execute the work, if
The people call for them, and look well to
he character and ability of the men they
place in power,