The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-04-15

| NV now ODIy aulOurn u over 10 the mex |
Congress, and let us have the surveys. o!
the surveys! let US have the surveys! But
now Is the hour, in my ju lgment, for taking |
the initiative in respect to this great enter.
prise, and ask it in the name of preparation
for war which may come, for which we should
be prepared. ask it US measure having an
important bearing on credit al d c Irrency, and
as indispensable to both in case of a war with |
a superior naval power; and ask it that we
may be well prepared on both COASTS to repe ! |
aggression, and to assert the rights e. main.
tain the honor aud the dignity Of the Ameri-
can people.
| But it must not be inferred from these re-
marks that view war with appreciation. |
can hardly conceive of war short Of one
strictly defensive, which should look upon
with complacency. | think men die fast e.
nough anyhow. There is no necessity of
calling into requistion gunpowder to hasten |
them into eternity. am for peace and for [
cuitvating the arts of peace. am for con |
structing this railroad in order that we may |
have peace. | verify believe that the consul
nation Of this vast enterprise would do more |
to cause us to be respected, nay, to be feared
by the nations of the earth, than the erection !
of twenty fortresses or the construction of
forty ships.oi-the-line.
| There is another consideration to which |
would refer, and which, doubt not, will be |
properly appreciated by the Senate. The
construction of this road is Indispensable to
the consolidation of our. Union, and to bind
the Two sides of the continent together by the
strong ties of mutual dependence and recpro-
cal interests. Without the means OF prompt
and easy communication, it would be better
not to have country on the other side of the
Rocky Mountains. The existing ssate of
things is utterly Objectionable. Twas, in the
first instance, strongly opposed to the acqusi-
tion of California; but as she has been ad-
mitted into the family circle and now const-
tutes one Of the brightest stars of our nation
: al galaxy, am for holding on to her have
no idea that her people are or will be disloy-
, al to our Union, but wish to establish more
, intimate relations between her and her sister
States--those of immediate vicnage and that
6 a railroad will do. when this is done, no
] centrifugal force''ca throw her out of her or
= bit, but she will maintain her proper place in
= our system, and will revolve around the COM
t mon centre to the end of all time. Besides,
how is this General Government to exercise
!, its functions in California without this rail-
! road whether in war or peace! Suppose there
t ID all ncurson OF savages upon the people of
n some part OF that State, and it becomes neces-
It sary to repel them. Suppose the officers of
= the Army or Indian agents need instructions
!, rom the Executive at Washington, how are
i they TO obtain them! Why, it requires two
n sca-voyages to get the information to Wash
Z lngion, aud two more to get the instructions
:, back, taking up, suppose, from two to three
. months.
Again suppose there is an insurrecton in
5 California, or u sudden attack by some foreign
b foe, would there not be necessity for means
| of immediate communication with the Cen
eral government! Suppose some doubt
] should arise at San Francisco in respect to
the construction Of your revenue laws. A
Q cargo of goods arrives, and the collector 10 of
r the opinion it should pay one rate of duty, g.
r the owner insists on lower rate, and the
: collector desires the instructions of the Sec
I ret,ry of the Treasury on the subject, would
: not the delay of two voyages by sea to reach
t Washington, and two to get back, be intol-
. cradle! Would it not be ruinous to all con-
d cerned! How are your post office laws to be
d administered in California! How are you to
. admin stcr this Government there at all, with
j out this railroad! IL the collector of San
r Francisco should die, how long must business
y be interrupted before his place can be filled!
= II Judge should die, how long must the court
: be closed and Justice delayed! Nothing can
d be more embarrassing than the dispensa,ion
+. OF patronage in California on account of the
al 81 4 is l.
p able information, and this the present Admin
I istration have experienced to their sorrow If
the distinguished gentleman who is coming
= here soon to stand at the head of the Govern
ment does not encounter similar difficulties, |
f shall be greatly disappointed. maintain
TINT such state of things is intolerable, and
! think we should not occupy ourselves with
any miserable controversy about the Bay Is
lands or Tehuanlepec, bat should at once take
hold and construct this railroad as sovereign
remedy for all the evils here adverted to. II
want no railroad over foreign, countries, un-
less 1t be for temporary purposes. | am for
an American railroad to be constructed on
American soil, by the enterprise g. capital of
| the American people.
Sir, have occupied more Of the time of|
|
waited my remarks as much rs possible. |
have given mere outline of ideas, some of
which may not have occurred to honorable
Senators now leave the subject in the
hands of the Senate. hope we shall have
vote on it speedily. hope the bill will pass
the Senate, even if it does not pass the House.
Should it fail to become law at this session.
| hope the subject will be resumed at the next,
at the earliest practicable day. | have two
years more, II my life is spared, to remain a
member of this body, and il this measure is
not now consumated, WI Il consecrate what
ever energies may have, and whatever abil-
'ty can command, to its prosecution at the
next Congress. have also to say to the hon.
erable Senator from Texas, Mr.. RusK,l who
has 80 intelligently, patriotically, and ably ad-
vocated this bill, that | will then stand bv
him, and go with him, hand to hand and shout. I
der to shoulder, in efforts to carry through the /
senate the proper legislation on this subject.
demand the construction of this railroad as
great American men sura--as ono ,,L;.L