The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-05-03
Senator GWin's Speech.

DCHutUI QW1u BVttCu.
The speech of Hon. Wm M. Gwin Of Cal
ifornia lately delivered in the u. S. Senate,
on the Pacific Railroad, is regarded as the
ablest and most satisfactory effort in support
of that measure, that has yet been made.
Notwithstanding this able vindication Of the
proposed manner of constructing the road,
we are not prepared to coincide with Senator
Gwin in maintaining that the existence of
such communication with California is alb
solutely necessary to the defence and protec-
ton of our national interests in that State.
Yet the Importance Of the subject induces US
to publish an abstract Of his speech, giving
its main features only.
He advocated the Bill reported by the Sc
lect Committee, of which he is Chairman.
It proposes a grant of land by the Govern
ment, similar to that repeatedly conceded,
with reasonable compensation for carrying
the mails. 1t establishes no Eastern terrni-
nus, and gives no preference to any State, no
advantage to any particular locality, and not
a dollar is to be paid from the Treasury, ex-
cept for services performed. Mr. Gwinn ar
gued the constitutionality Of the question,
and then urged that the road was not only
required for the purpose of carrying the mails
but was absolutely necessary as a military
road. BY accomplishing it, foreign fleets and
armies would in vain assail us upon the Pa
cifc and Atlantic. From Ocean to Ocean,
this new means of communication would car
ry our troops and munitions of war, and en-
able US by rapidity of inland communication,
to use the military power with such celerity
as to defy successful invasion from any quar-
ter. It would do more to preserve US at
peace with all nations, than our army, navy,
and foltifcation combined, useful and neces-
sary though they be. In case of war, it
would be impossible to defend California and
Oregon without this road. It's Importance
upon the commercial prosperity Of the coun-
try was argued at much length. The crea-
ton of this new route was more important
to us than the Portuguese discovery Of the
route round the Cape of Good Hope, as it
will establish our maritime ascendancy. The
trade Of Asia and India viii pass over it
through the centre of the North American
Continent, stimulating its settlement, while
its enriching benefits will pervade and inyig-
crate every department Of our social system,
and impart a strength and power to our Gov
ment that viii defy all opposition or resis-
tance.
After arguing its political effects upon the
country, he concluded as follows:
Senators. our progress as nation, has COM
pafatlvely but begun, the immeasurable future
lies before you. Ii Is for Us to do our part as
patriots aud legislators, under the mandates of
the Constitution to devise those means which
viii overcome geographical separation, and give
security to every part Of this ocean bound re.
public. BY the natural law of increase. aided
BY swell of immigration, which the shock Of
European war and the reconstruction of nation
alities will send to our shores, the new century
that approaches. even though we are ret in he
spying-tide of national existence. will find with
in our limits, now greater In territorial extent
than Imperial Rome. population equal to what
she possessed In the zenith of her glory, after
the growth of thousand years, when hun-
dred and twenty millions obeyed her laws. Let
the measure uQder consideration be consumma-
ted, and an act vital to The integrity of our ter
rit ry, and to the perpetuity of our undivided
Union will have been accomplished, and then.
as a united people, who can predict our future
destiny?