Washington sentinel., 1853-11-08
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.

INAlA<AAoADs
We have no doubt but that the subject of
the Pacific railroad will occupy much of the
attention of the coming Congress. Outside Of
politics, it is the great question of the day.
Views Of all sorts of variety viii be presented.
MANY Of them no doubt with very honest pur-
poses, but many, on the other hand, coming from
interested sources; and however carefully dis
guised, looking more to personal interest than
national good. The acquisition of our Pacific
possessions, and the establishment Of great
State on our western coast are matters of such
comparatively recent occurrence and startling
Importance, that the judgment of the most ga
gacious is apt to be thrown from its balance
in adjusting corresponding relations on this
side.
As to the magnificent destiny of California
and the continued growth of San Francisco all
seem to be agreed. All acknowledge to that
city the enviable distinction of becoming, at no
very distant day, sort of " middle station for
the trade and commerce of the world-a centre
from which shall go radiating forth all the
blessed and humanizing influences of civiliza-
ton.
Public opinion in this country seems also to
have agreed with almost singular nnanimity
as to the propriety Of connecting, as soon as
possible, the Atlantic and Pacific coasts by
railroad As to the particular route Of that
road, and the means by which it is to be con-
structed, there is great difference OF opinion
amongst its advocates. On both of these points,
after much earnest reflection, having in view
the interests Of the road itself and the integrity
of the Constitution, our mind is fully made up.
We believe that the southern route is the only
proper and practicable one. We think that
sufficient information will be presented to Con-
gress, during the coming session, to fully con-
vince that body of this fact. Some, whose
personal interests lie in another direction, may
not yield to this; but we trust and believe that
the real friends of the road will clearly see, not
only the propriety but absolute necessity of
selecting that route, and that too, without
much further dispute. No press, east or west,
is more sincerely in favor of the proposed road
than ours, and none will labor for it more earn
estly, provided it be not made government
enterprise. ,st II
To that we have already stated at length our
objections; and we repeat them. Strong as is
our partiality for the road--necessary as we be-
lieye it to be for the development of the re-
--l-,-r I-.i A.l---..i~ .-,I I>...iE~
,coasts-rather would we never see it construct
ed than that it should be done at the sacrifice
of constitutional principles. On the Constitu
ton of the United States, as explained by the
history of its formation, and expounded by the
cotemporaneous declarations Of its trainers, WI
take our stand, and no power shall move US
thence. 1t is our stronghold, and no specious
ness Of decoy shall spirit us from it. No plea
Of necessity even shall prevail against its
slightest provision. Heaven forbid that the
east, in this its magnificent approach to the
shrine of western trade, should bind the genius
of the Constitution as victim Of sacrifice to
the horns Of its altar We will continue to
denounce any attempt to convert this great
work into government enterprise, whether thu
proposition comes from political friends o.
foes. We will oppose it in the beginning ane
TO the end.
We would not touch one dollar Of the amount
in the treasury-not even, if instead OF twenty
millions, it was "a chimborazo of bullion" W.
see in this claim Of the constitutional power 0
the general government to construct this roae
the rankest of heresies. 1t is no less so be
cause the object sought to be accomplished il
magnificent and dear to our hearts. Any
amount of popularity attending it does not
make it any more constitutional than if it re-
ceived the reprobation ofal honest men-the
hideousness OF the features of any such Dagon
are not concealed hy any clouds of incense
streaming up before it.
Independent OF constitutional objections, we
ask the honest men Of all parties, if the govern
ment embarks in any such enterprise, who can
calculate the corruption, the robbery and frauds
that will attend every foot of its progress? We
care not how honest, how vigilant, how jealous
the executive might be. That would be but a
slight protection. The spirit of plunder would
still fastcn its eye of greed upon it, and wha
was begun for the national good viii be turned
into means Of corrupting the government j,
self.
Even if the government were TO complct
the road, how would it manage afterwards
Is it intended to make the government a spec
ulator in the profits Of freight and trans
portation? Is it proposed to depress its funt
tions, and its character too, to the level Of
q
railway corporation? Is this to be it's hig
vocation? Is this to be the great Office q
"the last refuge Of liberty on earth?' Is
seriously proposed that this government, in
tended to be as simple as possible and limite
in its scope to such objects and purposes a
could not be accomplished by States and ind
viduaIs, should have its thousands Of official
engaged in managing within what must 500
be State limits, the machinery of q railroad
Is there not already enough TO engage the en-