The weekly Placer herald., 1854-06-03

by overlooking it in the form of several
projected routes at a time, as it one was
not stupendous enough to engage oil our
energies, until population, the increase of
trade and commerce in this new channel,
had so far advanced as to show their
necessity. No intelligent business man
ever internationally met demand by
redundant supply; but, on the contrary,
the latter is always regulated by the for
mer. THIS is too well established doc
trine for political economy to be denied.
The foundation and growth of cities and
of nations, ancient and modern, rest upon
it. On this same principle, within the
present half century, steam navigation
and the railway began with us-the one
with a single vessel, the other with
single route. Now more than three thou
sand steam vessels float upon American
waters alone; and our lines of railroad
are equal.in length to two-thlrds the cir
cumference of the globe. We run norisk
from the very outset of monopoly or i'm
position in the construction of q single
route, for already we have our splendid
clipper ships making quick passages
around Cape Horn, and our steam routes
by the Isthmus TO the Pacific, which will
be uninterrupted in time of peace, and
afford an active and healthy competition,
making it an object with all concerned to
cheaper the tolls of their several routes.
In seeking the Aslastic, and especially
the Chinese trade, which has been covet
ed by every civilized nation that has pre-
ceded us as a source Of affiuence, we re-
sort. not like oue great commercial rival,
to the strong arm of power, to coerce
trade in poison to the amount twenty five
millions of dollars annually, but to deal
with them by an interchange of commodi-
ties for the benefit of all. Since the war
with Great Britain and China, in 1912,
which resulted in opening the five ports
to foreign trade, our commerce has rapid
ly increased, until now it reaches annual
ly from sixteen to seventeen millions
of dollars, employing two hundred ves-
sells. Who can estimate its increase and
effects upon our ship-yards, and the busi-
ness of our commercial cities and depots
throughout the country, if this bill should
become a law!
Our recent acquisitions on the Pacific
have revolutonized our commercial rea-
tons with the worId-what to ancient,
and even to modern Europe, was "F,dia
beuond the Ganges' is "India ,cifhin the
Ganges" to US. In creating this new
route, more important to us than the Por-
tuguese discovery of the route around the
Cane of Good Hope was to them, the
question of maritime ascendency can no
longer be in doubt. The trade of Asia
and the Indies will pass over it through
Io
nent. and it's stimulating influence in set
Elements, not only along the route, but
spreading all over the vast region between
the Mississippi and the Pacific, will be in
calculahle, whilst its enrching hene fits
will pervade and invgorate every depart
ment of the social system, and impart a
strength and power to our Government
that will defy all opposition or resistance.
have thus briefly and mostimperfecty
referred to the commercial considerations
which commend the subject 70 our atten-
ton. If time were allowed to enforcs
them, a picture could be presented of the
greatness and glory of the Republic, the
result of these vast commercial advan-
tages, to which no legislator could shut
his eyes.
Napoleon, when no longer the Emperor,
but the phIosophic statesman and dispas
sionate observer at st. Helena, dlscours-
ing upon the purposes of Government,
and in special reference to our country,
said: "Look at the United States, where,
without any apparent force or effort,
everything goes on prosperously; every
one is happy and contented; and this is
because the public wishes and Interests
are, in fact the ruling power" "Place
the Government said he, "at variance
with the will and interest OF its inhabi
tants,n and then as he contemplated such
an event, he drew a picture OF the mis-
chief that would follow.
This measure is one not only involving
the diversified interests, which have
presented to the Senate, but requires to
be examined as to its
POLITICAL EFFECT UPON THE COUNTRY.
The duty imposed upon US TO maintain
and preserve our territory IN It's utmost
extent, is not to be denied. No man will
confront the American people, hesitating
or intimating doubt on this point. Our
institutions, in their very nature, are ex-
pansive and progressive. The Pacific
coast and important Islands of Polynesia,
have at different times been the object of
desire and envy of European States. -
Captain Beechy, of the Royal Navy, ex-
amined the port of San francisco, and
reported it to be of immense compass,
"sufficientv extensive to contain all the
British Navy" having excellent harbors
Il Il