The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-09-23

ton of this road ut no distant period NAV
now, we think, be regarded as certainty.
but as in all great works, the difficulties and
obstacles in the way are in precise proportion
TO the magnitude of the undertaking. How
yer, this is not an age in which men slumber
long over any enterprise which promises
great ultimate advantage Every railroad
in this country has grown out of the salts
factory solution of the three questions;
What would be the profit and advantage OF
the road3 Is there feasible route! Can
the necessary means be obtained
With regard to railroad TO the racine
all these questions are already answered TO
entire satisfaction The advantages OF such
a road are indeed beyond Calculation. IL
would open a wilderness territory alohs
line of two or three thousand miles, render
mo accessible 10 cultivation millions of acres
of fertile lands, now practically worthless
sfsord;u, homes for millions of hardy men,
who would aid in developing the resources
and adding to the power of the nation. 1t
would carry civilization and christianity, and
arts and sciences, and all the blessings OF
civilized life through a trackless region now
occapied only by savages and wild beasts.
It would, by connecting the Atlantic and Pa
cifc, bring the eastern cities within 8 few
days of India and China, thus giving to this
country commerce, and foreign market of
almost boundless extent. 1t would secure
to us the entire control of the commerce
OF Asia, which has been the subject Of strife
and contention among all commercial nations
ever since the days of Solomon. 1t would
thus add intellectually TO the wealth, power
and influence of the United States among the
nations, and render her the first power upon
the globe For military purposes, the trans
portation of troops, stores, and munitions Of
war, its value and importance cannot be
over estimated, while it is evident tina. it
it would serve to bind in harmony the most
distant portions Of our widely scattered
population.
The question as to the possibility Of finding
a practical route seems to have been viz
tually settled already by the observations Of
exploring parties; and it is highly probable
IIiaS lIc surveys WHICH Will bC iAAN DOiti .
Congress this winter, will afford a choice of
several different routes. Indeed the question
seems not SO much whether there is route,
as which route shall we take?
The question whether means are attainable,
we do not consider of doubtful solution. If
the State Of New York could expend S3o,o0o,-
600 to open her way to Lake Erie, IA mere in
land sea- at Dunkirh; through mountainous
and almost wilderness district, and that too,
in the face of an opposition line nearly paral-
lei, who can doubt that the whole people of
the United States could not raise thrice or
ten times that amount, to open a path for com
merce to the broad Pacific and the Indies?
We believe that one single State would fur
nish the means, if necessary,-knowing that
the capital expended would return them not
only vast dividends but add an immense i'm
pulse to their commerce and general wealth.
1t is only day or two since, that we men
toned that company had been chartered by
the State of New York to construct Railroad
to the Pacific, and that at the first meeting of
the commissioners, no less than 81, 500, 900
was subscribed by only three individuals. If
such sum can be raised in moment, what
can be effected in year! We doubt not that
any required sum would be promptly sub
scribed by the people themselves. They have
money enough, without the aid of the Trea-
sury. But if the government take the road
into their own hands, no one can doubt that
there are means enough at their disposal to
place 100000 men at work On brief notice
These worhmen would, many of them, receive
lands IN payment, or as bounties, and become
pioneers and settlers all along the line With
out, therefore, meddling with the political
questions involved we think that the desira-
bleness Of Pacific Railroad the existence
Of a feasible route, and of abundant means
for its construction, have been demonstrated,
and we long to see the day when all these
points shall be proven by the actual existence
of the road.