The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-07-29
The Pacific Railroad.


The public mind has been directed for several years.
with increasing interest towards the gigantic proposition
to connect the Atlantic aud Pacific by OF
continuous railroad This tendency has received fresh
impulse from the favor with which the enterprise was
advsred to by two members of the cabinet the late
visit Of the Presiden, New York These indications
Of executive favor have called comments from the
press in the different quarters Of the country. from which
able to form idea of the condition Of the public
mind on the question Our observations have brought
TO the conclusion that whilst there respectable mi
nority opposed 10 the enterprise government
there is decided majority ready sanction the gen.
eral proposition OF Pacific railroad but that this ma
jority ID well divided TO details. that scarcely
be said with any degree Of certainty that there is
jority for any specific route of Pacific railroad
Whilst we have been the advocate of the proposed
erprse since Whitney brought The subject before the
country constrained TO admit that the obstacles in
tho way OF its early contamination numerous and
serious in their character, that indulge very
sanguine hopes Of seeing it carried into successful
cuon for many years TO come II the proposition could
be received and acted upon free from the endorsements
Of collateral political and geographical considerations,
it's intrinsic importance would command for il such
concentration of public sentiment would insure its
prompt adoption and its early accomplishment But in
our Judgment it would be impossible to conceive great
national project which would not be surrounded with
fewer embarrassing incidental issues than this of
Meeting the Atlantic with the Pacific States by railroad
Without regarding its attainment impracicabe, we
think that glance at Of the obstacles in the way
be probably considered those Of its friends whose
convictions of its importance have made them
guine OF It's within a reasonably short time.
lis safe and sound rule that whenever Congress is
looked 10 for aid in any enterprise the first csnsdea
ton should have regard to its conformity with constu.
honal power. There are politicians, and they are mol
few in number deficient in ability, who meet the prop
osdon at the threshold with denial OF its cons,itu.
tionaliy. Those who have arrived at this conclusion
are actua,ed by fixed convictions based upon settled pn
ci,es OF constitutional construction to which they ad.
here with rigid ienacily, and from which they never
be reasonably expected TO depart. We set them down
Ayed opponents, upon whom process of reasoning
nay hereafter be adopted make impression.
we think they in making wrong application OF
sound principles Without protesting ourselves be either
REGULARLY strict latudinous consructoniss and with
a frank admission that do not profess 10 compre-
bend, with the exactness OF scientific definition The
meaning OF these anlsgons,c terms. have been
tent TO form opinion the question upon what
consider the natural, common mode OF con-
strung the conslitu,ion-the mode by which sup
pose the intention Of the constitution is to be GER
tanly reached Upon this rule Of construction,
satisfied that Congress has exactly The power ap
propriaie the public towards the construction OF
4 railroad the Pacific that it has 10 build for,6ca-
tons 10 protect Pacific territory from invasion ag
Gression. We arrive at this conclusion upon the convic.
lion that the Pacific will be unsafe and
liable to be wrested from either by foreign invasion
speedily to the Pacific the necessary military MATERIAL
both OF and munitions TO protect territory and
preserve the Union in its full strength In other words
regard the Pacific railroad necessary for de.
fence government and that the power Of the gov
eminent provide for its defence in this mode is
clear and certain as it provide for the erection OF
forti6cations to protect the city Of San Francisco.
The enthusiastically OF The proposition in our opinion
s no. to be worked out upon any refined splitting
distinctions as to express and implied powers, but il
stands fully indicated upon the plain power Of sefde
fence. in obedience The obligation protect the
eral States applied the equally plain facts tina, rail-
road connection with the Pacific is necessary for our
common defence. and that such oonnexion cannot be
cured without aid from the government The conslitu-
ton authorizes Congress 10 raise for the
mon defence; it guarantees to every State protection
Notifications the obvious by which these
obligations of The federal government be satisfied
but il does follow that they the only legitimate
and constitutional means. California is entitled to the
protection OF the federal to her agans, dan
ess from without and within How is this protection TO
b provided Can il be done e6ectualy by s,ationng
large armies and erecting Notifications the Pacific
coau That may be possible and so il might be pos
sibls to increase navy 10 such an extent 10
protect her from expressions from abroad but looking
nj the actual condition OF the State its location on
the ssaboard, the inadequacy OF its population to
vspal foreign invasion. its immen distance from the
militia OF the other States, and the character Of the in
tsvsunx country cannot suppose that any would
deny thai railroad would furnish certain and
reliable OF protection and defence than the stand
nG army navy, and Notifications. all combined Indeed
We 40 no, see how give 10 all the circumstances
their full consideration, without being forced to the
elssion that railroad to The Pacific furnishes the only
perfect fertilization to California. Let us NOT FORGET
whilst federal government !. bound 10 protect the
Just rights OF every citizen IN any quarter Of the globe
and to this end may lawfully command the en,r. military
and naval power Of the government also does the oh
eaon 10 protect the States attach to every square foot
Of territory Of every Saie and under this broad naona
obligation California rGhully demand eGecua pro.