Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-05-28

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elements that give momentum To Us as ma
ion, beckon Us thitherward with their giant
arms. Were those VAST regions inhabited by
people alien TO u IN everything. still with
the future which opens before them-with
their relation to the whale 6sheries-the trade
OF the Pacific Islands, and the immense com
merce Of Asia. no more imposing and attrac-
tive enterprise could be presented TO the At
lantio States than that of a railway connection
with the country beyond the Rocky Noun
tains But there IS still another aspect in which
the subject commends itself to our favorable
regard. In the event of war between this
country, and any European power, California
would be the prize for which they would strike,
would be an exceedingly difficult and tedious
undertaking to transport The troops and NUM-
tons necessary 10 her defence. Yet this, cost
what il might, of money, labor and life, would
have To be done We could not leave our dis
tant brethren to fight their own battles against
national foe IS means then of afording
them that protection which they have tight
to claim, we are bound by high considora.
lions of justice and humanity to improve and
shorten the access to them In a late speech
made in Tennessee by Senator Bell, he declar-
ed it TO be demonstrate, THAT the cost of con-
struction would fall far short OF the expenses Of
any war in whish we might be engaged for
the protection of that coast, without the adj
vantages OF such mode OF transit between
he Valley of the Mississippi, and that distant
Stupendous as the project may seem
with the immense energies and inexhaustablo
resources of this country, it may be accom-.
oished without drawing apprecably upon
he means or time Of solitary citizen Of the
government. Examined from every point of
new, we look upon the construction of a rail-
way TO the Pacific paramount end in the
treat mission OF this our age and people.
The subject will como legitimately before
he Memphis Convention, first because so res.
'ectable body of men, properly delega
ed to express the views of large pot-
ion of the States of the Union, have
light to speak upon uLy question of national
nterest-and second and chiefly because the
king ofthe eastern terminus TO such a line is
| matter of inconceivable importance to the
lIflerent sections and States ofthe Union. AL.
eady several points are proposed, and par
les intesested are beginning to employ all the
appliances 10y which public sentiment and
Government favor are usually controlled.
Among those points Memphis is one-and to
1ur Judgment. presents advantages that cannot
be overlooked Or equalIed in any fair and Just
of rival claims. To this matter the
should give its most earnest atten
Ienion. The benefits that would result to the
slavehold,ng States, from securing the passage
through their soil of this great national high
way and highway of nations are too obvious 10
require remark. Looking at it with reference
to the interests of our own State and commu-
nifty we desire simply to point to the fact that
the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad is pres
sing on TO the same goal, and that if Memphis
he designated as the eastern ending of the Pa
cfc road-by means of the lines running
thence eastw ardly to the Atlantic, the tide of
trade and travel would be borne on by our
very doors, and Norfolk and San Francisco
would be placed in direct and unbrokeu com
mdnication.
Tomorrow we shall contil ue this subject
with reference to another object eminently
deserving the attention of the body about to
assemble at Memphis.