Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-02-17
Pacific Railroad Meeting at Memphis.


ity, held meeting on the ID insI., in relation to
the Pacific Railroad, at which Henry G. Smith
presided. The following preamble and resou-
tions were adopted:
Commencing with our acquisition of California
and New Mexico, the minds of the people of the
country with much solicitude, have been engaged
in devising plans for peopling and rendering vau-
able those distant possessions. Since the discov-
cry of inexhaustible beds of Mineral wealth i'll
Calitornia-and the unparalleled influx of popu-
lation into that country, by land and by sea; the
great body of the people of the United States with
renewed zeal and interest have determined, that
increased facilities OF intercourse with our Pacific
possessions are absolutely necessary.
Very generally, a railroad communication over
our own territory from the Mississippi river to the
bay of San Francisco, has been agreed upon as the
best and only improvement which can or should
bemade, to secure the objects in view. From
time to time, in all the States and communities of
the Republic, this public resolve in various ways
in primary meetings-through the press-by leg
isiative resolutions, &C., has been manifested,
clearly and repeatedly, as to have no doubt con-
corning the will of the vast majority of the people
of the United States with reference to this great
measure Of public policy. Whatever difference
of opinion may have originally existed with regard
to the acquisition OF California and New Mexico,
none now exists as to the necessity of securing
possessions which the humblest citizen ofthe coun-
try regards as priceless.
The benefits which would flow from the con-
structon OF an easy, cheap, certain, safe and ex-
peditouS outlet to the Paciic--such as filling up
our vacant territory with an industrious and intel
ligent population; SURPRISING Indian depredatonS
on our frontier; and the effect which such an i'm
proyement would have in changing the currenk
OF the commerce of the world with India, Japan
and the Islands of the Paciic--have been so Of
ten discussed and presented by the great minds of
the country, and are SO obvious as to render argu
ment on this occasion unnecessary. There is,
however, one aspect in which this project presents
n nj
war between the United States, and one or more
of the formidable maritime States of Europe, our
Pacific possessions would become the first point of
assault.-indeed invite it. Separated as they are,
from the balance of the Union. with no other
nue. OF approaching them than that across the 18TH
mus, or by the overland routes such
have, it would, considering its defenceleSS posi-
tion-and the practcability of any strong maritime
power, in case ofwar, blockading the mouth of the
Mississippi and cutting us off from the lsthmuS-
and the difficulties of transporting timely succor
by the overland route, be found almost impossible
to retain them, ifwe did, twould cost than
five hundred millions of dollars to do so. Disre-
garding all othe- considerations, if we expect 10
retain California and Oregon-and trust no
man in the country, who properly estimates the
value of those possessions and regards he ought
the integrity and honor of the Union, thinks 9TH
erwise-we consider it economy, now, and with
out delay, build the proposed railroad, cost what
1t may, as the SuTeSt and cheapest way of dong
so. In brief, this great road when completed will
whole country, and yltaize its dormant enelgieS.
twill, by increasing social and business communi.
cation, and consequently kind feelings between
its sections, and binding its East and its West to-
gether, as our great river does its North and South,
render this Union indiSSouble. II will CONVERT
the now far East of Asia and the Islands OF the
Pacific into the near West, and thereby open up
new and more extensive market for agricultural
products; make our country the commercial path
way of the nations Of Europe, and thus transfer
a N nF r. al Dial ar,Ic
Sequently of political power, from the Old to the
New World. twill form convenient and prof.
table highway for our people and government in
peace, and be an economical and inestibmae ele-
ment of power in war.
In view of the preceding considerations, and the
fact that this road cannot be built by States or
dividuals, it is source of high qualification us,
that we have seen the proposed measure introduced
into the Senate of the United States, under very
hattering circumstances
Without discussing the merits and details of any
particular plan-about which differences of opin-
ion may arise-and without suggesting any one
plan OF construction over others, the citizens of
Memphis and vicinity have met in council, for the
purpose of expressing hearty and sincere approval
of the general object of connecting the valley of
the Mississippi by railroad with the Pacific Ocean.
Therefore,
1. Resoiped, That we are highly gratiied that
our Legislators have at least manifested determi-
nation TO leave off "bootleSS discussions" which
produce no good, and turned their attention to the
consideration CT questions well calculated to ad-
vance the honor and lasting welfare of the country
2. ResOEued, That we regard railroad from the
Mississippi river 10 the Pacific coast, as within
the power and means of our Government TO accom-
pish, and as called for by great public necessity;
and that refusal to pass all necessary acts TO
complsh it, would be TO disregard The public will,
repeatedly and Solemnly pronounced.
3. Res0tped, That every section and part,
North and South Of this widespread Confederacy,
East as well as West, is deeply interested in con-
StFI1Nt tRrl, Il
1t, we highly approve, in this particular, of the
liberal and national principles of the bill intro.
duced by the Senator from California.
A. ReSOlped, That we especially gratiied,
that Senator Gwin, a native TenneSSean (although
he halls from the shores of the Pacifc,) has honor
ed himself and uS by Introducing this great meas
ure to The consideration of the Senate, and we
trust that he will push on until success crowns
his eifort-a success which will command the ap-
probation of this generation, and hand down his
name to poSterity amongst those who have done
great deeds and noble actions
s. Resolued, That il is source of qualification
to us, to learn that our own Senator, John Bell,
was the first 10 second the movement made by
Senator Gwin, and at once boldly and nobly to
place his support of this great project upon iucon
trovertibly national grounds, and that the honor
and enduring welfare of the country weighs, with
him higher than cold and selfish calculation of
dollars and cents.
6. Resotued, That the whole people of TenneS-
SEE are deeply interested as to the points which
may be selected the eastern termin of this road;
and we believe Me mphiS is designated by climate
and by its position in relation TO the Union, by its
position in relation 10 the Mississip. ii RIVER as
suitable point for one Of the termni of that road;
and we look especially TO our r-presentave in
Congress from this State for the elucidation aud tn
forcement of this opinion.
I. Resolued, That we doubt not Senator JoNrs,
and our immediate representative, Hon. F. P.
STANTON, will cheerfuly CO operate i'll aid of this
great national project and in advance we declare
our determination TO stand by those only who stand
by the county and its best interests.
8. RESOLVED, That the proceedings of this meet
ing be published in the city papers, and that the
Secretary he directed to forward copy to each of
our representatives. in Congress.
THE ERICSscN AIR ENGINE SHIP, AT WASHINGTON
CIrY.-A commodious gangway ran from her up
per deck, at the top of which Captain Lowber re-