The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-15

II Is OF course no duty purpose OF ours to antiel.
pate the course Of the debate by entering into the COM
pcaed details OF this magnificent scheme. with view
either to decide between The daefen plans which have
been submitted OF to pronounce Judgment upon the ques
lion either in its constitutional financial aspects Ia
all these points Of view will doubtless be fully and
ably discussed in both houses Of Congress With regard
espe cay 10 the extent OF the constitutional power OF the
federal government to give the aid which is asked for
this project in The various plans proposed recognise
wide difference OF opinions in tho Senate and in The coun-
Try and We by no means assume at this te 10 decide
between them,
As il seems 10 Us. however. The tune has now come
when the public mind is fast settling down in the liked
conviction that railroad communication with our Paelhc
seaboard is TO be regarded manifest national neees-
sty. It can as little be questioned, think ihata very
general public sentiment is disposed at this time 10 ask
from the government form OF ehectua operation
within the limits OF its constitutional authority. in the ac-
complishment OF an object fraught with stupendous
results to all the great material interests Of the country
AS question pertaining TO the progress Of industry
and the development OF commerce. the establishment of
railroad communication through territory, from
the Atlantic TO the Pacific, is enterprise unquestona
bly, involving revolution in the of trade through
out the world In its financial and commercial effects the
construction OF such railroad must long, dis
tncly foreseen and predicted by the statesmen under
whose auspices California acquired locate the
mercal metropolis OF Chstendon within the borders OF
the American Union. Recent Developments would
seem to indicate that communication between the
Atlantic and Pacific, within own boundaries i'm
portant aa it is with view 10 our national defence,
is scarcely less important TO means of avoiding
difficult and embarrassing questions with other govern
ments. But over all these suggestions grave and obv
GUS as they are rises the commanding consideration of
what is due in this great national matter 10 the interests
and even TO the security OF the Union itself The ma
lure OF our Institutions, and the whole character OF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. active, intense, fruitful
than the shores of the Paciicccarly warn us that
our highest interests demand that the American Union
stretching from to sea- should not long remain sun
dered by near two thousand miles OF almost impossible
wilderness, desert, and mountain. The force with Which
the populations the Pacific and the Atlantic seaboards
tend toward each other, and seek directly to communi.
Gale and unite, is motive pswer which cannot long be
repressed withstood and if the scheme OF an Atlantic
and Pacific railroad be of the grandsst and most al
duous which ever engaged the couDsels of any govern.
ment, its full investigation is yet urged upon us by con-
sderallons apparently more imperative than any before
presented to the ambition the prudence Of great and
united people, .. ...