Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-02
Aaucstion sett,.a.

Il has been long understood that the
northernmost route to the Pacific must
have great advantage over the Central,
or the Southern enc, from the fact that
it is very much shorter. By that way
we shall not only reach the great wes-
tern ocean sooner than by any other but,
when there, We are much nearer 10 the
Oriental World, whose commerce Is
thought by some to be very extensive
and profitable affair. 1t is not only
much briefer journey from Lake Supeii-l
or 10 Puget's Sound than from ST. Louis
or Memphis to San Francisco, but from
there we can reach Yedo or Canton with
two days less steaming. This fact has
caused the Northern route to be regard-
ed with respect even by those who are
most anxious that some other line should
be fixed on. But still very serious
doubt has rendered its advocates some
what uncertain and backward IL has
been surmised that possibly no good pass
could be found to conduct the road thro'
the barrier Of the Rocky mountains, and
il has been feared that however excel
lent aud favorable the country on both
sides Of that great ridge, il might be nee
essary after all TO renounce this line and
to settle either on that advocated by
Col. Benton, or that of Texas.
This doubt has now been extinguished.
Governor Stevens, at the head OF the
Northern Exploring Expedition reports
that there are several good passes, one
OF them combining every desideratum,
and that there is no hinderance 10 the
construction the road over the line he
has trayersed His etter,which appears
in the Tribune this morning, is highly
explicit on this question. The entire
line has been investigated by his own
party going west, and by that OF Lieut..
Saxton, who started from the Pacific
and came eastward; and though il can
not he said that the whole country has
been explored on both sides, and every
mountain pass examined, SO that the
best possible line can be exactly laid
down for all the distance, not doubt
remains that the Northern Route is
perfectly feasible, and indeed singularly
favorable for the execution Of this great
highway.
And not only do the mountains inter-
, pose no obstHc lie, but the country from
Lake Superior TO the Pacific is described
as exceedingly fertile and adapted for
settlement. The case is not so encour-
: aging for either Of the other lines. The
1 Central line runs zig-zag, and trayerses
. barren districts where fuel and water do
not abound. The Mexan route lies along
the Gila, whose craggy gorge cannot be
used for a railroad bed: or else il crosses
5 the border Of Mexico and makes a long
stretch through region not our own
None OF these Inconvenience attach TO
the Puget's Sound line. That runs with
great directness through highly pro-
: ductive territory, well wooded, and well
. watered, and has ut its western terminus
one of the noblest harbors OF the world.
The sole objection that can be RAISED
tagainst it is the accumulation of snow
usual in northern attitudes in winter
On this head important facts will M
doubt be given in Gov. Stevens's officia
, report, which will be in Washington ia
: season Tor the opening of Congress. Blu
> certain il is that on the greater portion
! OF this route there are no such sEows ~
fall on the railroads in the central par
OF New York, and that at the worst there
is nothing more troublesome than Is con
stanily expert, need on the railroads o
NJ aine- We al. enow how much thes'
Dads are obstrseted in the winter; whei
the snow drifts upon them, appliances
always al hand soon cleBr the track
and the circulation, is never delayed be
= yond day. On the Puget's Soun'
road il would not be more serious; an
. at aey rate there would be no such TEL
; rible depths Of snow there as Co
! Fremont had TO encounter in New Mex
fco in 1850.
i. The clearing up Of all doubts RELATIVE
y TO this line is mot the only good done b.
: the Expedition. II has settled man.
: other questions with regard 10 the nat
y ural features Of that vast and hitherto an
known region, and has opened 10 on
u knowledge aud our interests splendi
. portion OF the national dominion 70 whic
we have boen strangers.-N Y. Tl
une.