Southern shield., 1853-09-17
From the Baltimore Dime.l Pacific Railroad.

and earnest hope that it would be
 compieted so soon as practicable.-
 Tbe question which next presents
 itself is by which route shall the road
 mass! Among the friends of the
 measure, great difference of opin- ion exists on this point, some prefer inp what is termed the Northern route and others the Southern.- This difference has its origin, evident Iy, iii geographical position; those who reside upon the head waters of the Mississippi, being desirous that the road shall commence in the re- gior in which they live, and those who dwell nearer to the Atlantic preferring a route which shall leave the Mississippi valley at point low- CT down. As for ourselves, we have no sectional feeling on the subject, aud think the location of the road should be determined on the ground of availability of sell-support. or in other words, that it should be made to pass through country where its operations shall not be impeded by the snows of winter or any other na- tural cause, and where the soil is of sufficient fertility to produce articles for the subsistence of those engaged in the construction of this work, or who may be induced to make per manent settlements along the line of it. There are some who regard this great connection between the Allan lie and Pacific oceans, almost entire " with reference to the foreig com merce which is to pass over it. We are not among the number. While we attach vast importance to the work as channel of commerce be- tween the Eastern and Western Hem ispheres, we think there are other points of view in which its claims to consideration are if possible even greater. We allude to the settlement and improvement of the public do- main, to which it will give rise, and the protection which, if properly To- cated, it will afford to our frontier people. Besides, the facilities it will afford 10 our domestic commerce in becoming the great artery through which the minor railroads by which eur country is becoming covered as with net work, are of incalcuable importance. Supposing that the pro- jected work should leavethe MissisSip- pi valley at point far to the North, what will be the consequence! Not only will it have to pass for an im- mense distance through barren re- zion unsusceptible of improvement, and therefore valueless in the eye of the settler, but it tmust.be subject dur ing a great portion of the year to im- pediments which cannot be over come. It is perfectly idle to talk to us of route hundreds of miles of which are through q desert and pass es in the mountains which, during a portion of each year, are filled with drifted snow 10 the depth of from forty to hundred feet. Against such natural disadvantages, the hand of man, powerful as it is, must con- tend in vain. To say nothing ot the first cost of constru cting a road, the materials for which must be carried hundreds of miles, the subsequent ex- pense of working road, the stations of which must be supplied with the necessary articles of subsistence from a distance, would be incalculable.-- We look upon the Pacific Railroad as a great ,gent for the promotion of population and civilization, and not as mere highway for the transpor- tation of merchandise. Wsregard i, as an instrument which, under pro- per direction, is destined to spread prosperity and enlightenment every where, and cause "the wilderness to blossom with the rose," not only by furnishing temporary employment tot thousands of our fellow beings; bat permanent homes where they may spend their latter days in peace and comfort. In our opinion the mere building of the road and the facilities it will afford to commerce, however important, are as nothing with the effect 1t will have in giving rise to new communities governed by free institutions, and enjoying every bles- sing, civil and political, of which ouI nature is capable. Such being our views we wish the road to pass through regions which are destined to be hereafter the abiding places oi millions of freemen. We wish, not only, that in it's progress this work shall establish communities of well governed happy human beings, but that it shall be to them shield and protection against aggression or out rage, come from what quarter it may We desire to see itso located that the laborer who points to it hereafter and says with pride "behold the work of my youth." may be enabled to add with gratitude, "and the shelter of my age"