The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-07-12


brought into more direct and immediate
communion with the heart Of the Confed-
eracy, or ultimately dissolve her connec-
ton with it. This separation would entail
the loss Of every foot of American territory
west Of the Rocky Mountains, together
with all the property Of the Government
found there at that time. A railroad COM
munication betw. en- the Atlantic and Pa
cific oceans would secure that entire re-
gon TO us forever, together with its untold
mineral wealth, and, which is more vaIu-
ble still, our pioneer breth. en-, who are H.
lustrating to the world American selfre-
lance and American enterprise. 1t would
scatter broa cast in our midst the treas
ures of Asia, Oceanica, and give to us
commercial power which would make this
Government the upire of every nation up
on earth. Its commercial advantages are
lncaculable, and its political effects, strain
the imagination. San Francisco would
become the commercial emporium of the
eastern world, and with lavish hand
pour out the wealth of the remotest parts
of the globe on every section of our coun.
try, upon which Heaven has benignantly
and continually smiled. A Continuous
line Of railroads between the two great o.
ceans would become the highway Of the
nations of the earth. Our carrying trade
in the Pacific, now amounting TO about
three hundred thousand tons, and employ.
ing upwards of AN hundred millions of
dollars, would be augmented by the ope
ration Of this road immeasurably beyond
al
the mineral wealth of California and Aus
tralia combined aud the whistle Of 10
connective heard on the shore of the Paci-
nc would do more towards opening the
ports Of China and Japan than bayouets
and squadrons. These results are rs near
ly certain as may be approached by ordi-
nary human reasoning. But there are
| other considerations and advantages of a
domestic character which need no spec
ulation or theory to recommend the estab-
lishment Of this road by means Of the do
Mexico, winch regard %-z;:,i ss i:.:l:.. 81 NJ.
other territory rs has already been, or
will be, secured under the Gadsden treaty.
The more rapid transmission Of the
mails for which service the Government
is now paying annually 100000, will
bring our distant friends into close associ-
alton with our Government and ourselves,
and thus ditfuse into those far-off regions
social and political sympathy, and an ex.
panded intelligence, which are the chief
elements Of national strength and national
prosperity. The prompt transportation of
troops and munitions of war will strength
en- our national defenses, and give con-
tidence aud security 10 the western pio-
neers, whose cottages will flank either
side of the road, and constitute them its
efficient guards, while they may derive "A
present support from the employments it
would offer for their honest labor. The
diminution Of the number of Governmen,
officials, the reduction Of the number of
troops necessary to protect our remote
property and possessions, the greater Sc
curity and rapidity in conveying Govern
ment stores aud munitions of war, to-
gether with the saving of time and of
expense incident to the extension Of civil
aud military orders, and the greater ce
lerity given to their execution, makes
It measure Of unquestionable economy.
The contemplated increase of the Army
by the organization of three additional
regiments, aud which The wants of the
country will otherwise require, will thus
be dispensed with.
My friend from California, (Mr. McDou-
gal, who seems to have examined this
branch Of the subject with unusual care,
estimates the cost to the Government of
military transportation to New Mexico
and the Pacific at $l.730,Ol4, and the
cost OF keeping up It's whole "naval COM
munication with the Pacific by the Cape Of
Good Hope, Of Quitting, discharging, and
supplying everything required Cor that
service. and the loss of service to the Gov
ernment during these long voyages" at
another million Of dollars per annum.-
Were We to become involved in war with
England, California, rs the most exposed,
the most defenseless, and the richest por.
ton Of our country, would be the first
attacked. Such portions Of her standing
army IS ara on service in India could
be transferred TO our Pacific shore while
We were enlisting men to defend it. She
has 667 war vessels, carrying H.: 80 guns,
while we have but 50 vessels Of war. and
1000 guns all told. Should she form an
alliance with France with view To pre-
vent the acquisition OF Cuba by the Uni
ted States, France could bring to bear up.
on ms 7,l44 guns, which are carried by
32s vessels Of war. Could we in honor
or in law stand aloof and see California,
the fairest and youngest Of the sister States,
pilla0ed and ruined without nm effort IN
rescue herl And what would il cost 10
march or TO transport by ses, an adequate
army for her reliefl
But, sir, il is in the name Of humanity,
that this enterprise makes its strongest APP
peals TO us for support. Il avoids The
pesils Of the sea, and makes that appeal
eloquent by suggesting an example OF its
dangers. What worldly consideration
can Compensate for all the agony endur.
ed BY those Sho were appalled,, and who
died m board the Inflated San Fsanciecoi