The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-10-12
SHALL THE GOVERNMENT BUILD A
PACIFIC RAiLROADs

| is perhaps none in which more interest is Eel
than in the ono which forms the heading Of thi!
article. The universal interest manifested b,
our people in the contamination of this object
the most magnificent Of modern times-th'
tempting and splendid prize set before US, splen
did both in the gain 10 our already brilliant repu
ta,ion as people, and in the obvious increas
of the elements of material wealth. all inves
The subject with an Importance and interest sec
ond to no other.
II is most clearly obvious that the project a
present needs no urging on. Every section 0
our Union, north and south, has now its pary il
the Great Plains, and round the base OF iht
eager search for the most advantageous route b,
| which TO reach The waters of our great western
ocean. The press of the entire nation teens
with its million eulogiums of the gigantic pros
ect, its Feasibility and the immense national ad
vantages consequent upon the ulfilmeni of the
project.
Upon this feeling Of enterprise, and this glow
| ing faith which fills TO OVERLOOKING the mind oi
| the American public, we have not the least de-
sire to intrude an adverse sentiment. The f ei
ing is contagious, and despite the impar,ial.ty
of journalists, we confess that it is kindred TO our
own. We, too, with many an adventurous
brother, look forward with high hope, to the
glorious acting of the splendid role, and 10 the
period when noble faith shall find It's full frui-
ton in final accomplishment. But between the
wish and the acting of the deed, there lies the
gulf which Time digs before all human pro-
jects
There is yet another consideration which
must give us pause. 1t is the greater question
whether this commercial speculation and cent
per cent. enterprise can be engaged in, conso-
nant with the organic law by virtue of which we
have attained our prcsen, dizzy elevation among
the empires of the earth This is a question
which is of even more intense importance to our
destiny than the accomplishment Of any COM
mercial scheme, magnificent and gorgeous
though it be- Never more than in the history
Of nations do we notice the fatal consequences
of violation of that maxim Of the sounde 81,
wisdom, I" stand by your Constitution" Otsta
principals.
We justly, and with most honest and noble
pride, exult in the enterpisng spirit of our peo-
pie. From the Balize to the Penobscot it has
made US unit by the iron bands which, running
from every local centre, link US all in one-a
mighty, united nation.
But in our poor opinion even these advantages
were dearly gained at the expense of the funda-
mental law Of our Union. They would be but
riches acquired by robbery from the inheritance
of our forefa,hers, and the gain and the gratif-
cation of the present would be too well atoned
for by the bitter repentance Of the future. Our
people are daring to the last degree, and we are
proud of il, but there should be one route which
even railroad could not traverse-a route orer
the Constitutions.
We have but little fear of it. We think we
know that Gen. CAss but spoke the sentiment
Of every American heart, when he said If we
are not struck with judicial blindness, we shall
cling to this Constitution, as the mariner clings
to the last plank when night and the tempest
close around him." With its clear language,
and the dsties and obligations flowing from it,
it has been our salvation in the past as il is our
highest trust in the future.
No plan has as yet been ma,ured in manner
sufficient to bring il to this test, but when such
shall be the case, we are confident that no con-
alteration will induce the American people to
resign, for any temporary commercial advantage,
the constitutional obligations which it 10 our
highest interest to preserve unbroken, "t to the
last syllable Of recorded Time
: We fervently trust that no issue will ever be
presented to our nation which shall balance any
however splendid, against the in
fringement Of that great bond which defines the
powers and duties Of our National Government
We are glad that we are able to believe that
every advantage can be attained in exact conso-
nance with it.
But if our hope and belief should fail, and a
bridging of the constitution should be proposed.
we trust that the Express will be found, as in all
the past, true to the fundamental principles Of
the Union, and to the Constitution, 10 preserve
which in its integrity, is to preserve to Human
ity the last hope of her final freedom and per-
fectibility.