Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-24
A MID EUROPEAN HIGHWAY TO coNsrAE-
TIN0PLE.


ing the waters OF the Rhine and the Danube. His
prehensiye mind fully appreciated the advantages such
union would confer and had his eenul life been longer
spared might at have been carried into effect
none could have forbidden the bans.
The number of petty States which bis wide Empire
scon divided and the petty jeaousie which sprang up
with them interposed difficulties far greater than
the distractions of Nature
Political perversions have, from the days of Charlie
magne to this hour, prevented the contamination Of
project that would lave conferred great social and
mercal advantages upon Europe in the rues times
and which the magic power of steam would have multi
piled thousand-fold. Bavarian valley less than
hundred miles in length tha in which is situated the
city OF Anpach separates the waters of the Danube from
those of the Mayne, of the chief tributaries of the
Rhine Both these rivers navgable at all times lex
cept when closed by ce for more than hundred miles
above the points Of propnqay been indicated
and to connect them by continuous canal adapted
steam navigation would be work of less magnitude than
several already achieved by Holland alone.
But our purpose is to speak Of highway offering far
greater facilities than the united of the beautiful
Rhine and the majestic Danube great central rail-
road extending from Amsterdam or some other of the
great commercial cities of Holland directly across Eu-
rope TO ancient and farfamed Constannople itself,
would in humble opinion, constitute such highway
right line connecting Amsterdam and Constantinople
conjunction favorable to project and therefore
launch tupon the stream Of thought for whatever it may
prove to be worth.
The late Turco- Russian difficulty now happily in full
process of honorable adjustment has demonstrated the
unity OF Europe and the Importance Of speedy commu
nicauon between its extremities commercial ties with
social and Christian sympathes have hound together
its various divisions that it would be impossible to
surround any description of its peace with such halo of
/. n. 49,
Still further guarantees of its continued peace would
be welcomed by Europe and the civilized world If such
work have projected should prove practicable its
construction would afford the strongest material security
possible not only for the continuance Of its tranquility
but for the advancement of its civilization and refine
ment and all the interests of our common humanity
AS in the of the union of the Rhine and the Da
nube, political difficulties may be expected far exceed
those of physical nature but have no reason to
despair in advance of the DEVIATION of both.
Religious preudices and national ealousies have been
mitgaed by the lapse of ages the progress of science
and commerce and the diffusion of that born cha
rity which incucates the love of al men
Now perhaps for the first time in the worlds history
such projection might if properly presented hope for
favorable consideration from all the parties whose in
terests would be effected by its execution bgoted
tionay unreasoning anaticsm could alone make any
consistent opposition.
With millions of Mahometans residing quietly under
the tolerant rule Of the Russian Empire and in the Bril-
fish possessions in India while still more millions of
Christians of various enjoy under the sway of the
Sublime Porte liberation unknown even now in the
Southern States of Europe it is late to assert that
the nations not prepared to mnge freely and to ira
vel with mutual pleasure and advantage common high
way through the most civilized portion Of globe.
The great railroad we have indicated would not exceed
tt,o
be ravtrsed in foryeght hours at the moderate speed
Of forty miles hour, with ample allowance Of time FOR
stoppages.
To provide the means of safe and luxurious transit
from the Black the German Ocean in the short
4 space Of two days would be work worthy Of Europe
! and of the age.
The natural distractions to such great thoroughfare
Of the nations nothing in the presence Of European
skill and capital Europe has but to will the work, and
! il il done.
Such ehway would have It's western terminus worth
lily located in Amsterdam, Of the neghborug CON-
nerca cities Of Holland country long since iberaized
BY the spirit of commerce, and which might confidently
be expected to afford facilities of tho most accommodate
ing and enlightened character. The commerce that even
such road might be expected engender accumu-
late would find ample scope and verge in the sheltered
waters Of the Zuyder Zee and in the magnificent docks
and palatal depots Of Amsterdam and the Nague-ctes
which ages Of commerce have rendered sumptuous with
its best appliances
Enlightened Prussia itself modern kingdom may be
expected to regard with favor signal and yet so peace
fG an inroad upon the old order of things and aid it
by her consent and her Golfers.
The Hessan States, the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar
and the Kingdom Of Bavaria, next in .order upon the
route scarce do otherwise than welcome project
which virtually provides for them for Southern Prus-
sa contiguous and convenient seaport and relieves them
of all the disadyantagesof their inland position.
The western portion Of this has great advantages
with which TO begin harbors and warehouses all in
der population accustomed TO commerce and great
river to be passed for hundred miles, the line
runs north Of the Rhine and does not the Danube
until Vienna. The Alpine chains left far to the
south. The mountain ranges which would have to be
trayersed of moderate elevation, and abound
over, in variety Of useful minerals which would thus
find speedy development and ready market.
From Austria hesitation, If not opposition may
be anticipated The proposed road would extend through
the heart Of that vast empire and in consequence of its
comparative isolation, from its location so far inland
sucha proposition suddenly presented may prove rather
startling.
The policy Of Austria has from old time been extremely
cautious and somewhat suspicious; but with young
and enerpring sovereign the head Of the empire
may look for greater fankness and the adoption Of
adventurous That empire for the first time
in its history begins to realize the vast advantages Of
foreign Austrian steamers avail themselves
of the snuous channel of the Danube and ply the
Of the Black Sea, the Grecian Archipelago and the Le
want while the nation estimates at its full value the
comparatively secluded harbor Of Trieste, Under
Emperor and thus initiated in the wealth mys
teries Of commerce. Austria fail to appreciate the
vast Importance Of the additional ports upon the German
Ocean and the Black Sea which this road would In effect
open to her most secluded provinces 1t becomes
Austria to show herself worthy to be the centre of Eu
rope. The friendly and commercial intercourse which
would thus be directly promoted between Austria and
Turkey would better guaranty Of peace between
them than any number of fortified barriers any extent
of military frontier.