Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-15

10000 passengers at $50 each 5500,0Q0
Ten days time Of passengers at So per diem 100000
Government transportation 1000 miles, at
5000 per l,2ooO Ooo
Making aggregate of................ % 042 400
The road would be thus receiving $l9 900 for pas
sengers and freghtsull 20 per cent its cost and
than sufficient to support 1t with present trade and
travel and at the same time, making clear saving to
the country Of or.yegh million seven hundred and forty
three thousand fire hundred dollars.
These figures may extravagant but extravagant
they may appear they fall within the truth If they
questioned ask whoever questions to correct them
Now, sir wish it understood by this committee, and
wish it understood by the country, that the want Of
railroad to the Pacific is loss to the country Of sum
sufficient to support the whole machinery Of the Federal
Governments sum sufficient in years to build the
best doubletra railroad in the world all the way from
the Mississippi to San Francisco And wish further
understood that apart from the political Importance Of
Pacific POSSESSIONS apart from all questions OF political
necessity apart the mitable promises the future
present fact the present commercial and economical
interests of the country demand the construction Of the
road. will 60 further feel that am justified In going
further and asserting that it is not only demanded by
the interests but it is demanded by the people of the coun
try. will take issue with some of my honorable
friends from Virginia. snd insist that it is demanded by
their people Upon this subject the country has already
been aroused concerning its merits they have already
become intelligent; from every cabin of the West from
every workshop in the North from every precinct and
lage the South the deliberations of this body
this subject being watched, watched carnesty and
assure you, sir that if fail refuse to act now
there will be those placed in stead more prompt and
ready for the work.
Practica6ility of Road.
Mr. Chairman, have been told by gentlemen this
aoor that they would support the If they beiey
ed it practicable but they doubted the practicaby Of
constructing road to the Pacific. wish to say that
the practicaby of the enterprise is not doubted by
one personally conversant with the difficulties to be
come. have crossed the continent myself; have
the central region from the waters Of the Attain
tic to those of the Pacific different lines, and on foot
and examined the country with reference its pracca
bty for railroad purposes Several routes have been
surveyed with ccmp.ss ana make no aepSl
routes railroad the Pacific and than this,
that there is than route offering greater fac
ties than offered for extensive line that has been
yet constructed either in this country Europe Near
the whole route would lie along level plains and table,
lands already graded by the hand Of nature. No
tains need be encountered considerable streams
need be crossed there obstacle but the unpeoped
wilderness The enterprise looms up into threatening
proportions because it lies in the distance. Embrace
it, closely consider it. and it loses all its Herculean fea
lures Within the year between two and three thou
sand miles of railroad have been constructed in the Unit
ed States requiring much capital as is required for
this entire work When Indiana and Illinois have com
peted their railroads in progress they will each have
thousand miles of road than is required for this
entire line. besides having hewn through the solid rock
way uniting the Northern Lakes with the great Father
of Waters If the energy and enterprise Of two poor al
most bankrupt Western States have been sufficient
the accomplishment Of such results it to me
to be coward spirit that would starte at the project of
l
the enterprise and interests Of the whole Republic
concerned which is not only to bind the Confedera
cy together but which is to bear the treasures of many
nations along its track Its is work that cam and must
and will be done. The only question is when and where
shall it be commenced? When and how shall the ini-
tiaye be taken? ask Of this committee, ask of this
Congress- that take the initiative here now, without
any unnecessary delay.
Foreign Competition.
wish to urge upon the committee the importance
of prompt action in this matter
1t is but brief period since established ccm-
mercal position upon the Pacific Until then nearly all
the Of that in the hands OF European
merchants for two three years they controlled
the Of San Francisco Since then the boldness
and enterprise of merchants have been steadily
driving them Of the field Of competition and now we
control the trade of greater portion of our American
and the Pacific islands and are maintaining suc
cess contest with England for ascendancy in the ports
of China This Of things has not been disregard
ed by England; she has watched our advances with
jealous eye and preparing to take decisive steps to
regain her lost position when arrested by the more stern
demands Of war;
The road now being constructed by England uniting
the Indus with the Gapges, designed but part Of
system of roads by way Of the Rhine and the Danube
to Constantnople thence by the head Of the Persian
gulf through India and China the coast of the Pacific
understand that just prevousto the recent disturbances
England negotiating with the Porte for the right Of
way through the Turkish dominons. The line from Ha-
fax through the British possessions north to Fraziers
river the Pacific, is project seriously contemplated
by Northern neghbors and in it they have the sup
port Of heavy English capital Russia also has eye
the Pacific and has been pushing her works rapidly to-
wards the East
In the midst Of these projects Europe has been sudden
y driven from all the pursuits and enterprises of peace
leaving this republic the only great commercial Power
not engaged undsturbed by the accidents and caamtes
Of war. Ali enterprise but ours is parayzed Eng
land has entered the lists against powerful and equal
adversary. The paths Of peaceful enterprise
ours alone. This is the time-let us not neglect ito
establish complete commercial ascendancy throughout
the world call upon this body and this body will be
responsible to the country If they refuse to take advan
tagc Of the time and the occasion
| Conclusion.
IT, Mr. Chairman possessed the true spirit Of nspi-
ration the strong conception Of the poet would like
picture the consequences result to this republic
from the construction of this great work would like
picture the consequences that would follow the Open
ing Of the great way sought for by the adventurous Ge
noesehe way long struggled for by English enterprise
against all the obstacles Of polar seasthe western way
to the Indies would like to exhibit the commerce Of
the world centralized within borders the wealth.
the energy the enterprise the civilization and the opin
Of the world radiatng from the centre Of great
American republic the most distant lands. would
like to describe republic holding the ancient East