Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-30
THE coo-CHA.T0-PE PASS.

The New McXicans generally do not think
favorably of Mr.. Benton's Pass. We have
good reasons for believing that, excepting Mr..
Leroux, nobody among them has yet expressed
an opinion that his Pass is practicable The
Santa Fe Gazette Of the goth refers 10 it, as
will be seen presently, but without any ill-will
to Mr.. Benton. 1t believes it to be far less IA
Vorabe than more southern crossing through
New Mexico, but is quite willing to accept that,
provided it to be practicable, unless the best can
be had. That paper says:
"Col BENTON defended the above route with
great power, as the best and most central and
Perhaps the only practicable one that is central
to the Valley of the Mississippi and that is sat-
isfactory TO the interests of the North-w estern
and Southwestern States at the same time 1t
must be admitted that this route " hich Col BEN
TON proposes and defends if judged by the GER
tifcate of MIR. LERoUx, is practicable, but al the
same time cdndor requires us TO sag that mdny
old residents in this Territory tpho haze had as
good opportunity ofknolUing lis geography as
Mr.. LerOur, haze by no means so favorable an
opinion ofhe route as he has. Indeed, many de-
clare, that the proposed route Of Col. Benton, is
altogether impracicable for a Railroad How
ever, il the road should not be run along the
route which is known to be better, viz: by
Walkers Pass, we must admit that We would
prefer 10 it on that route, rather than on The
route frem Texas 10 San Diego, California,
which our late Delegate prefers to ell others,
unless we could secure another clip Of country
frSm our Mexican neighbors. Among the ma
ny advantage that are 10 be derived from the
construction Of this road 10 that Of Its enrichinR
The country which it iS to pass. Now, If it 10
run upon the line advocated by the late Dele
gate, this great advantage would be lost, as ii
must Of necessity, If run upon that line, pass
for part of the distance, through the Territory
Of Meylco Bat so long as the best Of all the
routes lies through the center of New Mexico
we shall advocate its adoption, and we cannot
see how any friend OF this Territory can act diff.
ferenily."
Mr. Benjon's Plan has been subiec'el to but
very little hostile criticism-saVe perhaps from
, anti-Benton Democrats. And the amount Of
this criticism would have been less, if his
, friends had been more modest and less offensive
in urging Benton's scheme as vastly superior u
!, any other suggestion, and had rerained from
; stigmatizing every man who considered the
boasts Of its super excellence premature, % null
{ liners and secessonists or enemies 20 Missouri
Il To say that favoriug road to cross through
, New Mexico. is a Southern, Hulhfying, anti
, Missourian scheme, is monsrous assumption
I of which only a mouth opening out OLA brazeI
face is capable.
D We have occupied but one ground on this sub
ject If Mr.. Benton's route shall prove to be
r practicable, ii may be advantageOusly adopted
Y although as al present advised We think that
. more southerly New Mexican crossing ought Il
have the preference, looking at the question il
national point Of view or as it touches our 10
S cal interests.
At any rate in the present state OF our knOwl