The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-22

oul, IN Tue tlghth nlhlh lines, the
words "on tho Red rve at The southwest corner
OF the Stale OF Arkansas, aud insert on the Missouri
river not below Independence, in Missouri, nor above
The PRESIDING OFFICER That is in the first sec
ton; but there is objection. il will be received
Mr.. CHASE. wish TO state very briefly The ground
upon which offer this amendment agree IN the gem
eal opinion OF the Senate that il is extremely important
TO connect the East and West Of this republic have not
the slightest doubt that road should be constructed
as to connect the rising wealth OF the new States upon
the Pachc with the commerce OF the East and Afford a
pathway over which the emigration seeking homes
upon the shores OF the Pacific shall fnd easy access to
It's desired destination agree, then, fully in the main
object sought to be accomplished by this b and think
that the honorable senator from California Mr GwINI
is entitled 10 distinguished praise for the ZEAL energy, and
ability which he has shown IN pressing this subJect upon
the Senate.
While, however, take that view OF the subject. it
10 quite clear that no plan so complicated and
Judgment, OF his body. What is the object which
seek TO accomplish Means OF communication between
the Eastand West that is tue object; have no other
We seek ofavor sectionno part OF the government
above any other part For my own part, am perfectly
well satisfied, upon examination OF the geography OF this
country, that mere straight road would be best con
Quoted from San Diego in California, 10 Matagorda in
Texas and would not be al all willing to give 10 that
road hearty support; but. for road connecting the
tabshed oil the East and the West especially
for road to the populations OF these two
tree portions OF country, sque clear that il must
traverse another route and connect populations already
existing. We have population IN Oregon, and the day
We already have great, growing popuous, and
wealthy State south OF Oregon II Is to connect Oregon
and California with the eastern States that design 10
accomplish by this road. That is the connexion which
desire Now sir, point 10 the shortest route, the
cheapest road the which will the greatest
number OF people, and that route shall have my support
earnest continued support, until the road is completed
| would not make any special objections upon the
ground that il does not traverse precisely that portion OF
the country which, in my Judgment would seem to be
best. would commit that TO the discretion of the Ex-
\
points, would still be wiling 10 leave larger margin
than that II would 10 be The judgment OF all par
ties that IL should be so left
But, Mr.. President it seems to me we should consult
experience. Men travel always by the most practical
route They take the shortest and best route and those
routes which are established by this common consent are
the best routes Now, what routes bave been es,ab
shed' What is the path Of your overland emigration
leaves some point on the Missouri river, further
south than, and further north than, OF the two
points which | have indicated. By what route does it
proceed westwaTd2 1t goes through the Sonlh Pass,
and there turns southwark towards San Francisco
There is route through which II can pass 10 Caor
MIA, and there is another great travelled route TO Oregon
Now, ii want road over the most practicable route
to the Pacific experience has pointed II out to US and TO
construct that road am perfectly ready at any time 10
either money land | ready 10 take that
whchis deemed best for the purpose of accomplish
ing the great object which we have IN v,ew-o connect
the East and West. But am un wiling, Mr.. President,
to leopard this great object by setting foot such
multitude oil projects, which, IN their execution would
demand such vast resources and would delay !, seems
We want route for commerce; we want a road or
emigrans We want TO connect the East and West; and
do that let take, without reference 10 any consider
alton outside OF hem the nearest and most practicable
route.
Mr.. DOWNS. | am sorry, Mr. President. tha, cannot
agree but the contrary taat have TO differ entirely
from The senator who has last addressed us. agree
with him, however in the main proposition to support that
route which, under all the circumstances, can be easiest
made and which will prove the most practicable. The
principal ground, understood the Argument OF the
v Is,
II embraces too much. The gentleman therefore, in
Order suppose to get clear OF the branches proposed IN
this bill, proposes 10 start at northern po1t, and make
single road through 10 the Pacific. Now, Mr. Pfes-
dent II the honorable gentleman wishes TO secure the
shortest and most practicable route. IT seems to me he
might attain his object in much easier and better
way and that Is, by moving strike of the branches.
The great object communication from the waters OF
the Atlantic 10 the waters of the Pacific and il ths
gentleman objects TO b'anches-oblects, when we get
within reasonable distance OF either terminus 10
extend branches north on The Pacific side to Oregon,
and The Atlantic side Missouri and to Iowa. lei him
TO strike them oh But 1t his plan be adopted, and
start at point above Independence. and extend the
road across from that point without going into calcula
ton OF distances, or an estimate OF difficulties, think,
Tar from essenng the expense and difficulties OF con-
srnctinX road, he would increase IT. | am not pre-
pared with tie details this point and therefore not
able at this time TO argue fuy neither it necessary
for 10 do as the gentleman did not 20 into the
Argument. But there Is one prominent fact which sares
all in the face, which cannot fail 10 al glance
in looking the map OF North America and that is,
approach from The north towards the southern part OF
the continent gradually narrows, and the further we
60 south the shorter the distance between the waters OF
tae Atlantic and the Pacific Start at Independence,
that parallel OF latitude north of that this amend
ment contempaies, and line without going
into calculation OF distances, and venture TO say from
general of the map, that you will find the distance
from the Atlantic the Pacific is double what 1t is
at Memphis or Vicksbug Tha, itself is general fact,
which, IN my opinion, ought To be sufficient TO defeat the
amendment which is offered by the honorable senator
from Ohio.
Mr.. President, although this amendment comes in
une xpectedy at this time, and not consequently
prepared with the details and statistics the subject,
still is not a new question. As understand IL, II is very
similar to- il not identical with. proposition which has
so long been pending before the country, by Mr. Whit.
ney, OF a railroad to the Pacific have always thought,
and believe many have agreed with me, since the first
time ha, MIR Whitney proposed this project that Il was
one of the absurd mpractcabe routes that ever
entered the head of man and my convictions are so
clear on that subject that feel that you take the
extreme northern route contemplated by MIR. whitney,
YOU will not see the railroad completed within the next
fifty, or one hundred years, ever There are many rea
for this addition 10 the increased distance There
are the difficulties of the climate. Why. SIR, how much OF
the year that latitude could your railroad be kept IN ope
ration How much OF the year would II be obsiruced by
the severity OF the winter-by ice and snow ! will
perhaps be told that the rosts and snowsare no objection
TO railroads; but my information leads me to take very
different view OF the subject We ind that even IN lat
tudes much further SOUTH railroads
serionsly obstruc,ed by snowdrs. Even between here
aRd New York within the last few days. our mail routes
were seriously lmpeded Well sir, II you get into lat-
tudes 80 much further north--nto elevations OF noun
tans 80 much higher where the snow Is almost perpeu-
al or al best where continues for halt the year. ask
you il II likely that such route as that could be Kept
omen all the wear And ask the gentleman IRON ONO