, 1853-07-16
The Road to Walla-walla.

Inc lNOdu 70 w dA4d- J" did
It appears by the action taken at the
public meeting on Saturday last, that Our
citizens are determined this important mat
ter shall no longer be delayed. They seem
TO have waited for Capt. McClclIan's arri-
val until their patience is entirely exhausted.
The "elcventh hour has come, not mo-
ment longer can be lost, and they have de-
cided to open the road Immediately, on their
own account, rather than risk losing the
immigration of the present year. As our
country is so new, and its amount of capital
necessarily limited, the readiness with which
the people contribute money. and provisions,
is as credlable to them as il will be surpri-
sing to the uninteTested looker-on. The
expense draws heavily upon -oTery one,
but there is encouragement in the expecla-
iion that all will be returned in proper time.
The zeal and alacrity displayed is assurance
to us that the enterprise will not fail
There will be no lack of money or provis-
ions, or ought else that may be necessary 10
the object in view, if the people throughout
the Territory contribute as literally as have
those in this immediate vicinity.
Viewing the matter with perfect calm
ness, we confidently insist upon the truth Of
our prediction made few weeks ago, that
the road will be made in time 10 be availa-
bic to this years immigration. The cost
Of the road, for four hundred days labor Of
one man, provisions, &C., will be from
$1,000 to $500, which amount being ex-
pended by individuals not really able to do
so much gratuiIOusly for a public, yea, a
national object, should be returned to them
from among the idle MILLIONS of treasure
now in the Golfers of the Government. The
sum, whatever il may prove TO be, should be
regarded as a loan to the United States, and
If not returned out Of the twenty thousand
dollars intended for military road, special
appropriation should be made 10 meet the
case. Congress must do its duty As
people we are yet poor, and having many
objects about US 10 which we can with pro-
priety contribute our mites, we cannot be
expected TO waive our claim for future in
demniiy for constructing the road to Walla-
walla. Upon thisscore, however, we think
no danger need bc apprehended. This is
the conclusion 10 which we come we ad-
vance the means and make the road-fthe
War Department should not be willing 10
regard it as the route for military purposes,
thereby denying US participation in the
twenty thousand dollars, Congress will ap-
propTiate enough to make good to US our
expenditure and better, far better, and
more important than all other considerations,
we shall ACQUIRE POPULATION, our present
great desideratum for which we must run
the risk of making some sacrifice.
Ere we close this article, let US suggest 10
the committee appointed on Saturday last,
should Capt. Mcclellan arrive in sufficient
season, that they exert themselves to induce
him to view their route forthwith, and ex-
press bis opinion of the same. 1t may be
possible for the road 10 be opened yet in
time al the immediate cost of the Govern
ment. This suggestion we take the liberty
of throwing out for the purpose Of economi-
sing il we can, for our fGlshds and neigh
bOrs whose purses, like our own, are not
overloaded
If the people are to make this road with
out the aid Of Government at present, and
perhaps il may be their lot 10 have 10 do so,
the liberal example set by Thurston is wor
thy of being followed by all the other coun-
ties in the Territory. Nov, we propose to
banter them all to this effect that the
county of Thurston, in proportion to its
population, will contribute more to the
Walla-walla road than will any other county
in Washington Who takes
p9- The weather during the past week
b,e la.