Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-07-14
Sr. JosrpH, June 25th, 1853.


pointing out the best route for the great Pacific
hsil Road, through the pass which / traversed
in 1850.
The construction Of this road---the gigantic
enterprise Of the age, is fixed in the American
mind. Its importance the grand commercial
highway Of civilized man over a vast continent
10 knoWn. That il will make the American
Union the great centre and the active theatre of
civilization, is certain. The world wide impe-
tuS that it will give 10 commerce, and moral and
social progress, as also the life that it will
breathe into the old world, are Appreciated
That it will be undertaken and completed, is as
certain as destiny. That one great trunk-one
grand artery, should be constructed is fact as
evident as the importance and feasibility of the
enterprise. That branches commensurate to the
wants OF commerce. should connect with this, is
also evident. The first question, therefore,
presenting itself for consideration, is, where
shall this main trunk be? Where commence
where cross the mountain barriers-where ter
Sninate?
1t should be constructed where the great tide
OF commerce would naturally flow; where it
would benefit the greatest number; on that route
capable Of supporting the largest population,
and where the greatest facilities exist for its
construction. This route will proceed TO de-
monstrate.
Take an EXTENDED map Of the United States,
begin at tho principal commercial cities Of the
Atlantic, and trace line westwardly TO the
Mississippi river. Yeu will start at Boston,
and pursue a line Of railroads through New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, or,
from Philadel pha by Harrsburgh, direct 10
Pittsburgh, aud through Columbus, indianapolis
and Springfield, TO Quincy, on the Mississppi;
or, you may pursue the Northern lake shore
route; or the branch from Baltimore TO Wheel
ing, and by Columbus. These roads in
active operation. They are but different lines
of one great route, passing near the 4Oth paral-
lei of latitude. The direction Of this route
points OIL nearly direct line TO the best passes
10 the bay Of San Francisco on the Pacific. Its
course lies through the most densely populated
portion Of the Union. 1t is through the heart of
the great producing portion OF population, ac-
tive, industrious ana in ellIgent and in a climate
highly hvorble TO mans mental and physical de-
yelopment; by fields teeming with rich pro-
ducts; by cities and towns rich, active and
prosperous in manufactures through commu-
mites where art, science and the highest civlli-
cation enbellish and elevate society, while they
give health, vigor and activity to business
There, in the centre of wealth, population, bust
ness and civilization, the line from the Allan
tic is unerrngly marked TO the Mississippi. II
is the Gulf stream in the great tide of COM
merce, population and business, which moves
steadily westward. 1t points to the mouth OF
the Missouri, and the great Western system of
rivers, for passage through the barrier OF the
Rocky Mountains. Where shall this pass be?
Where shall the line be extended to the Pacific?
Where the initial point on the Mississippi-the
Missouri?
The Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad is a
prolongation of this line. There will be anoth-
er extended from st. Louis TO Kansas. Here
thew approximate towards one point. That
noint is the valley of the Kansas river, which
seems 10 have been traced by nature as the route
TO the base of the Rocky Mountains, on nearly
the same parallel as the line between the Allan
tic and the Mississippi. Here the two roads
can meet, as also the Varons branches from the
North and South, called for by the wants OF
commerce. These must converge in the valley
Of the Kansas, at the forks the geographical cen
tire of the American Union.
The line of the main trunk will continue up
the Valley of the Kansas, in direction little
north Of west, 10 the source of the main or Re
publican fork. The country from the Missis-
.sippi to the west boundary Of Missouri is fer
tile. prosperous and popuous. That upon the
K.psa, Is one of the most rich and beautiful in
the yreat valley Of the West. 1t possesses a
.ivepial and temperate" climate, an abundance
!, ~ sxcsllent and durable wood, pure and healthy
water, beautiful plains and undulating highlands
With soil Of a deep, rich loan, exurberant ano
rysduetive, with variety Of excellent and nu'
ivitious grass, waving in the delightful valleys
and prairies, like fields Of cultivated grain. Il
!, cauable Of = dense settlement, and ere TIVE
vsays shall have expired, the sound Of the pic
Es.r's axe will be heard, and the smoke OF I'M
cabin will ascend westward 10 the base Of thu
Mountains. -,
From the head OF. the Republican fork, th
Youte will pass over a rolling prairie divide Of
N the waters of the South fork OF the Nebrask
Ar Platte, in the South Park, region oil counlr!
beautiful and rich, and possessing eXtensiv
,oId fields. Crossing the South fork above 81
Train's fort the route will skirt the base OF tn
,nountains TO point at the northern base o
I,onS's Peak, and enter pass where the sout
forL of the Cacha a la POudrs bursts from tn
Mountains. Thence it Pursues ITS courS
through prairie valley, and over an elevate
Rain 70 the Medicine Bow mountain, near III
so,,rce of Laramie river. THIS mountain
passed through depression, covered with
aense forest of excellent timber for the cor
.t,uotion of a road some 80 miles South Ea'
- the Medicine Bow Butte. Emerging iroI
dis forest, it enters the North Park, passes tn
North Fork Of the Nebraska, or Platte, skirt
the base Of the main range, and crosses lhroug
law prairie divide, about two degrees south {
~. S0nth Pass, on TO the head waters OF III
Noyth Fork Of the Yampath river, and enter
he desert valley Of the upper Colorado OF Il
West.
Here the mountain barriers are overcome
rhs nassss are easy. 1t will not be necessaI
.,t a solitary tunnel Nature has graded u