Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1853-04-22
RnIlrond to llle Panama.


The building Of an iron track 10 the Pacific
seems now 10 be reduced TO a mere question Of
time. With wonderful unAnimity the press as
the reflex Of public opinion, seems TO regard
the building OF the railway as fixed fact, and
but two questions remain to be settled when
shall il be done and what right should be ad-
opted.
This grand highway to the Pacific has long
been pet project with Mr.. Benton, and the
country is indebted to him more than TO any
other man, for the interest the measure now ex-
cites. The fault to be found with Mr. Benton
and his etfors is, that he directs his mind and
energies to building a road by a particular
route, whereas, he should nationalize his views,
and not curtail his influence by his advocacy
of his fayorite line. Mr.. Whitney. perhaps,
may be considered the author Of the scheme
for building the Pacific road, but his plan was
deemed so impracticable by Congress, that il
has ceased 10 be entertained We believed Mr..
Whitney is now in England pressing upon the
government Of Great Britain a plan for the
construction Of road to the Pacific through
British possessions what success he meets
with we do not know, but the fact that such
negotiations are on foot, should stimulate us to
make desperate exertions TO secure the trade Of
China and the islands of the Pacific before
Great Britain snatches away the prize.
Three routes now engage the attention OF
capitalists and statesmen. The southern route
crosses the northern corner Of Texas, and run
ming across New Mexico to Albuquerque,
thence by some pass through the Rocky Noun
tains reaches the Pacific at San Diego, FIVE hun
dred miles south Of San francisco. This route
seems to be the least favorable Of the three and
possesses objections apparently nsurmountable.
The central route is Col. Benton's favorte
project, running from st. Louis by way Of Walk
ers pass and the San joaquin river to San
Francisco. and is much more feasible than the
southern route.
The Northern route is the one the Lake
country is most deeply interested in; and so
far as is known Of the resources and topogra-
ply of the country through which the road
would pass, is the best route yet spoken Of
Should Chicago be the starting point, thence
to Madison, Wisconsin thence to St. Paul's
thence passing the Rocky Mountains near the
head waters Of Columbia river, to Pugets
Sound in the Pacific route would be found
of 1764 miles in length and we have the au-
thority of the Chicago Tribune for saying, that
the construction of nearly one-half is already
provided for, by road now building by the H.
linos and Wisconsin Railroad Company to Mad
ison thence by the Minnesota Western Rail
road Company beyond the Mississippi River to
the western bounds Of Minnesota Territory.
This route seems to be the direct one from New
York to Shanghai in China An appropriation
was made by the last Congress for survey OF
the several routes and in all probability intel.
lgent reports will be made at the next session,
when the merits of the several routes will be
tested.
Major Stevens, the lately appointed Govern
or of the new territy of Washington, is entrust-
ed with the survey of the Northern route. He
will start from St. Pauls and proceed by the
mos. direct route to Puget's Sound, and estab-
sh the seat of government for this new terri
tory in connection with his movements Cap
tain Mcclellan of the Engineers, will proceed
east from Puget's Sound, and meeting Major
Stevens at the Rocky Mountains, exchange the
knowledge gained by each, and Capt McLel-
Ian will return to Washington City to report.
We have endeavored to give an idea of the
project as it now stands the magnitude OF the
scheme, and its importance to this country, can
not be estimated. By this road the rich pro-
ducts of Chna-and Japan, should be able to
gain permission to enter its ports for our trade
and the islands Of the Pacific, will pour untold
wealth into our markets, making this route the
worlds thoroughfare -Cev. Herald.