Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-03-18
concluded

to the northern route, and the interests OF all
parties will be satisfied. As before stated, COR
nections between the two lines may be effected
hereafter. st. Louis can connect with the
southern line by the South East branch of the
Pacific. California and Oregon can build their
north and south valley road il they see proper,
and in either case, if the wants Of the country
demand these comparatively local roads, the
General Government will doubtless lend her
powerful aid. But let our energies be first APP
piled to such connection with the Pacific coast
as will satisfy both the North and South, such
as will develop and control, if necessary, the
interior territories now so remote and so diff
cult Of access; such as will hold in awe the
savage tribes within our borders, and will sup
ply them with the food which in q few years
our encroachments on their hunting grounds
will destroy.
One great question presents itself, and John
Bull would say it is truly an American one
Will these roads pay? The General Govern
ment will be abundantly remunerated in various
ways for the most liberal grant of lands it can
bestow; too much so, indeed, il the privileges
OWNS bill gives it are adopted. By the value
added to its lands, the increase Of duties, the
facilities Of access 10 distant territories, and
from one portion Of the Union TO the other, its
means Of rapid communication with distant Off
cials, and in thousand other ways it will be
most amply repaid. Uncle Sam has large
farm to manage nowadays, and to carry it on
TO advantage he needs all modern improve
ments. None of his nephews, Individually, can
derive half as much benefit from investment in
these roads, be his purse as long as it may, as
will he. But these too will have fair profits
10000 persons, Drawing all the difficulties and
dangers Of the long land route to California and
Oregon crossed the plains this season. How
many went by Cape Horn and the Isthmus?-
How many returned by other rOutesP-How
many remained at home?-How many found
other routes to the Sandwich Islands, Australia
&c., all Of whom would have travelled by rail-
road, had one existed? Shall we keep far with
in the mark, and say 100000? We will charge
them $40 each, and the amount is 5000 900; a
lalI lHleIcSL OH PlOO,OOO,OOu' WnaL uBurcS
shall we set down for the transportation of the
enormous amount of internal and foreign trade
between the extreme points? What for the
trade and transportation which would spring III
along the whole line, when every fertile pluir
and every secluded valley, now in solitary qui
e:ude, should ring with the sounds of prosper
GUS industry? Had we the data no distant flu
ture will afford, the calculation would surpas
the bounds of the most exaggerated expectations
Were both roads completed, they would pay
and pay at once. Our country, in its natura
and artificial developments, would cast ever,
other into the shade. With one arm she would
gather in the wealth of the Atlantic, with tn
other the wealth of the Pacific, to enrich he
sons and her daughters. Across her broad sur
face would be poured the overlooking stream
of richer commerce than the world has eve
seen, and her extreme and distant portion
would be so interlocked and united by irol
bonds as to bid defiance to internal or externa
foes. In the advantages Of her position, tn
extent and development Of her territory, he
wealth, her commerce, her military and nava
power, the intelligence and means Of comfort o
her children, she would as far surpass ever
other people as she does in the equal and uni
versaI benefits conferred by her civil and socia
institutions, and every aspiration for freedom
in every down-trOdden kingdom Of the eartl