The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-10-13
/ Railroad 10 the PacaAc Ocesa---Col. Jersr
son Davis.


WARRINGTON, Oct Y, 1858.
To The Ediors .4me,iesa Times
Much has been said aud written sgainst the Pacific
railroad in connexon with the administration Ii has
been assumed that the President aad his cabinet had
uay liked upon some plan Tor the construction OF such
road. and that il wsud be submitted 10 Congress in the
message can positively inform you that such is NOT
the fact No Recommendation Will be made TO Congress
TO create corporation, nor 10 give money IRON the
public treasury Tor any such purpose, nor iot any other
scheme or route Tor A.
The last speech OF Col Jefferson Davis at Philadelphia
upon the subject has been made the theme OF constant
msconstrucon and peTsersioD In that speech IN which
be displays The comprebensve0ess OF real statesman
bir Davis aludes 10 The vast advantages which would
accrue to the country commercially IRON railroad con.
nexion between tbs Atlantic aud the Pachc oceans and
also the necessity OF constructing road. BY which, in
case OF war California aud other possessions upon the
Pacific could receive the aid and succor to Which,
parts OF The Union, they are entitled he also declares
that If il be necessary for their defence. Congress has
the rover TO aid in lis construction he neither suggests
how the power shall be exercised. nor any route
plan.
The advantages OF a road to the Pacific manifest 10
every maa OF ordinary intellect In the struggle now
going on for the Of the world. such work
would secure il 10 us The only question U.s. how can
such road be made Can il be done by private ener-
prise less than fifty years, and will not the golden OPP
pouny be then lost u.s. Or has the necessity yet arisen
when Congress has the right and when i becomes It's
duty, for the ..muual defence. to aid such road by
which aid il can be accomplished IN from hve 10 ten
years
la case of war with both, or indeed either, Of the
great naval poweTs--France or England-their fleets
would take possession OF the Gulf OF Mexico, and our
only way Of access 10 California would be taken from u.s.
Ia time OF peace we should prepare Tor This contingency
II has been said that California protect herself But
if such be the fact II does not lessen our duty to Der.
and let j, be remembered by those who use this argu
that alleg and protection together II she
can protect herself be made To think why should
she give us allegiance, What has she 10 gain by the
Unon Why shall she then send here 10 get her legs
aiion done ii she be not incapacltaed therefor herself?
But such ia the fact She 10 without any navy, and
sparsey populated, and both her weakness and her m.
mense mineral and golden wealth would prominently in
vi,e attack In of war at this moment with either
England France California would be lost 10 Us in less
than eighteen months.
Ii j, be, then, necessary for misry purposes TO con-
sruct road, land The commercial advantages be
obslaclc Congress has the admitted power 10 aid and
without such aid il never be done. But both The
necessity OF road and the power 10 construct ons have
been already by the last CoOgsess. In The
appropriation OF money by that body for the surveys for
route for road, which are now in PROGRESS what
else could be meant except tina, was contemplated 10
bnd one and why think OF that. il it were moi
ryl Although this may set be disputed BY men OF posi-
ton and ability, yc, il will amount 10 nothing.
When Congress meets after me above questions shall
large nsorty, the first step will be to tx how govern
mental aid shall be given. Shall il be BY loans Of money
one now il existence in New York with hi
epta OF hundred mIlions-may propose to Congress
carry The government nails troops aud war munitions
forever in consideration OF grants OF land or loan Of
money Should any otter o this KIND, made, De ac
copied.
Aer the manner of mid shall be fixed upon and after
the survey reports shall have been received The selec
lion OF The route for road will be the subject OF great
struggle. Large interests and sectional feelings and jea
ousies will be again aroused and engcndercd. What
route will be settled upon cannot now be imagined.
The surveys now going on will throw much likh, on
the question Sufficient, however. known TO warrant
The belief ,hata route north OF Texas is almost mpos-
sble. The face Of The county, and the eternal
about be Rocky mounlains. make i, impossible Those
who profess be best informed incline TO the belief
thai The by III Paso 10 the practicable Is it
certainly the shortest Upon grounds OF political poll.
fortunate ha, Nature comres The location OF such road
near The middle OF the continent.
railroad 10 he Pacific ocean will be The great work
III The age Ii will sfve the commerce and wealth oil
The world il will bind together the Union to slmost
p~rpeiui;s and IL will benehcent and lib
erarxsg influence The human than any work oil
any age AZ will be the great question OF the next Con-
xess Let the Statesmen who advance this great work
be appreciated Ter they will certainly be remen-
bered E. BIB