Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-10-13

part Of the private partners, or it might |
lead to intermeddling, inconvenent, and OPP
pressive legislation upon the part Of the
government, serving at some day to excite
the frenzy Of party spirit or furnishing
war cry for some ambitions demagogue.
As another important advantage offered
: by the company's plan, and similar to the
one already mentioned, it relieves us from
the difficulty occasioned BY the scruples en-
tertained by very respectable class of
statesmen-and among them the very able
Senator from South Carolina( Mr.. Buter)
AS 10 the power Of the federal govern
ment to create corporation. This COM
pany already stands before the country
corporate body by virtue of the unquestion-
able act of the New York Legislature. II
, asks no charter from the federal govern
/, ment. 1t seeks no further privilege from
any government save the right of way over
, the public lands, and perhaps permission
from two States TO cross their borders.
Still another difficulty obviaed by the
plan of the company, and one hardly less
formidable than either of those already
mentioned. lies in tie discordant interests
, to be reconciled in the choice OF the route.
At every period, for years past, when
: Pacific railroad has been proposed, either in
or out of Congress, this has reared itself as
the earliest and most formidable obstacle,
and it now threatens to postpone, if not
wholly to Illustrate, this magnificent enter
| prise. Congress, composed Of the repre-
sentatives of such various sections and in
terests, would never harmonise in the Sc
lection Of the route or Of the termini, and
| in The struggles for rival routes, ard in the
passions engendered thereby, would destroy
= the enterprise itself. This was so sensiblv
= felt by able advocates of the road in the late
Y session of the Senate. that they turned from
Congress to the President, as if hoping that
: a solitary individual might determine the
S matter, even though he determined it i'm
= properly. But whatever might be the con-
i fdence reposod by the country in the Exc
h cutive, this would be a responsibility which
= he could neither willingly nor wisely as
sumo, and which he could not satisfactorily
discharge. The locality Of the present
= Executive-on the extreme border of one
d section Of the Union-is peculiarly unrortu-
: nate for the assumption upon his part Of
| such an office. For however fairly and
:, honestly lie might exercise his discretion, as
= it is but fair TO presume he would do, he
e could not escape suspicion of sectional pre-
e judice upon the one hand, or of a treacher-
r Gus purchase of foreign popularity upon the
n other.
t But if the road be wholly constructed
It and owned by this or another company, the
. route will be readily and properly dctermin.
ed, as it always is in such cases, by the COM
" mercial instincts and careful explorations of
Il men deeply interested, and only interested
in choosing the best and cheapest route. Ii
r does not, OF course, come within the pur-
$ view of this letter TO enter upon comTar-
r son Of the relative advantages of the diff
t ferent routes proposedi and especially since
c one Of the advantages claim for the scheme
| am attempting TO advocate is, that is ob-
: waited Just such discussion. Besides, up-
on this subject, frankly confess myself ye-
u ry imperieclly informed. Its surely pre-
y mature, since we expect, very soon full SCI
: entiilc and official reports upon the suhe
: to attempt to form private opinions or pub
lie opinion upon vague rumors, or hasty ex
= parte letters from persons enthusiastic in
C their own explorations, and as yet unable to
: compare them with those OF others. II is
e sufficient for the present that all the inror-
c nation from all parties encourages us TO be.
= lieve that there are several routes more
:, practicable than it was believed any one
Il would be found TO be before the recent ex-
n ploratons were set on foot. may, how
q ever, confess that feel, in common with
u the people among whom live-as it is ma
It tural should-a decided preference that
J. the eastern terminus should be toerably far
J south on the Mississippi river. l will,
'e however, at the same time express my con-
At fidence that, with company seeking, Of
N necessity, the best route, the advantages Of
: climate, and the inestimable and undevelop-
! ed, though not altogether unapprcciated
wealth of the country, must secure the
e, route upon Southern territory, if pass
n through the mountains equally practicable
We with those farther north should be exhibited
~ in the reports shortly 10 be laid before us
o. But if these advantages are not found will
IL us, we could not fairly expect favorabl,
he decision in any mode of arbitrament.
b. That the road can and will be speed,