The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-05-26
Pacific Rail.Road Professionalism
Route.

Pacific Rail.Road Project--NOrthern
Route.
In our last number we demonstrated, as we think,
very coaclusively, the absnrdity of the claim ad-
vanced by the Mnncsotian, that the great scheme Of
a railway from poin, on the Pacific coast within
The organized Territory of Washington to ST. Paul,
to b. recognized of the fruits OF Wing
policy The project originated by Congress
largely democratic in both branches the preparations
for the necessary survey zealous pressed forward
~ democratic Secretary Of War; aud the CONSUME
nation Of the viii, doubt not, be brought
about undcr tie auspices of democratic Adninistra
ton. Aud all this without any violation Of the
strict ,ennets of the faith Of that party which has
inyaraL, denied The power Of Congress to prosecute
works of internal Improvement in the States, while
it has not failed to contend that it the right and
duty of the General Government to make its pubIic
domain withn the Territories, accessible to the
tier by the construction Of roads and other means of
inier-conmunicaton, which a matter OF course
lacideafoHy beneficial to the adjacent States, well
as to the Territories themselves.
II is therefore ia entire accordance with our at
tachment the principles OF the strict construction
party Of the coantry, that give this great conum
plated ardent support. Indeed we regard
il as the great enterprise Of the age, in comparison
with which, all others, however important in "A local
point Of view, sink int, absolute ms ynicauce. The
day which will witness the junction Of the Atlantic
and Pacific by of perfect railroad
muncatIon, will be remembered as one on which III.
bonds of union between the extremes Of our country
riveted far all time to come, and the commerce
of the world secured to citizens.
From the knowledge have, imperfect as it is,
of the topography Of the region to be traverscd, we
justified in the conclusion that the northern
route is far more favorable for raroad purposes than
those hitherto proposed. The celebrated Kit Car
son, in late published letter denies the pracica-
billy of any other Of the southern roues than tina;
through Walkers Pass, and we know that even thai
is liable to objection, because of its winding and cir
cutous character, which will necessarily increase the
length and the expense of railroad construction 10 an
indefinite extent.
1t is stated that Major Ogden, a chief factor OF
the Hudson. Bay Company, long resident on the Pa
ciiic slope, and whose occupation required him to
become acquitted with the nature Of the country be-
tween Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, as
ser,s that it emncnty favorable for the construction
Of railroad. Old trappers who have many times
travcrsed it, corroborate his impressions The pas
sage Of the Cascade and Rocky ranges, will consi-
trte the great obstacles be overcome but as the de-
me- in fio-a I.
high attitudes Of 467 and 40, it is reasonable to
conclude that the passes are correspondence more
practicahle. than those further south Little is
known Of the country between these ranges but the
valley Of The North Fork Of the Columbia extends
through it, and will probably afford line for rail.
WAY, should all others present iasurmountable diff
cuIlics. We know that from the base Of the Stony
Mou'itAins, this side, to the Mississippi, few OBJ
stfuctions I'll lie met with, as "A continuous and for
the part, level prairie is to be found between
those points.
IL is forunate for Minnesota and The West gener-
ally, as well as for Washington TERRITORY, that SO
able and accomplished an officer as Gov. Stevens.
has been selected to conduct the survey. While he
is too honorable man t. make any report to the
Government not strictly reliable and true yet his
sympathIes and anxe;es all linked with the sue
cess of this road, AM we can rest assured that ne
will spare pains to discover direct and favorable
route, If such an one exists.
The railroad across our Territory to Puget Sound
and that from northern boundary to the Gulf OF
Mexico, once completei-and the latter NAV be re-
garded question of tine-what bounds
can be conceived to the prosperity Of Minnesota =
The very fact that such measures are proposed. and
viii sooner later be perfected, must have direct
tendency increase immigration to orr Territory
We have fine climate, a soil rich 10 mineral and
agricultural resources and profusion of good wood
and pure water. The men only are needed to profit
by proper of these advantages, and to add bv
their industry and enterprise the general wealth
We are daily recev ing additions to our numbers and
when il is known that Minnesota is to be made the
great thoroug hflre the communication between the
eastern and western confines of the Union. we NAV
set IT down fixed fact, that Immigration i'll flow
IN like food aud fertile prair es and woodlands
TEEN with the life and energy Of numerous, but no,
redundant population.
MORE GoLp.-The Hamilton Valley on the Colo