Washington sentinel., 1854-06-23

qucsdou luCu aIlscs ds 10 the cApCuicnCy Oi iHdk-
ing such grants as are sought.
ExPEDIENcY.
The isolated position OF California, lying, as IL
does, on the western verge of the North Ameri-
can continent, her separation from her sister
States by dreary deserts, rugged mountains, and
large territories inhabited by uniamed Indians,
her natural resources, and the adventurous spirit
OF her people, leave bur little doubt in the minds
ofrefecting men that she must be brought into
more direct and immediate communion with the
heart OF the confederacy, or ultimately dissolve
her connection with il. 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
the time. A railroad communication between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans would secure that en-
tire region 10 us forever together with its untold
mineral wealth, and, which is more valuable sill,
our pioneer brethren, who are illustrating 10 the
world American sefreance and American enter
prise. Ii would scatter broadcast in our midst
the treasures of Asia and Oceanica, and give TO
us commercial power which would make this
government the umpire of every nation upon
earth. Its commercial advantages incalcu-
liable, and its political effects, strain Inc imagina-
ton. San Francisco would become the CONNER
cial emporium Of the eastern world, and with
lavish hand poar 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. continuous line OF railroads
between the two great oceans would become the
highway of the na.ions OF the earth. Our carrying
trade in the Pacific, now amounting to about three
hundred thousand tons, and employing upwards
Of an hundred millions of dollars, would be aug
mented by the operation OF this road immeasura-
bly, beyond the proportional increase resulting from
the mineral wealth OF California and Australia
combined and the whistle of locomotive heard
on the shore of the Pacific would do more towards
opening the ports of China and Japan than bayo-
nets and squadrons. These results are as nearly
certain as may be approached by ordinary human
reasoning. But there are other considerations
and advantages of domestic character which
need no speculation or theory to recommend the
establishment Of this road by means Of the dona-
tion of lands in the Territory Of New Mexico,
which regard as including such other territory
as 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 an
nuay Sl,000,000, will bring our distant friends
into close association with our government and
ourselves, and thus di6use in those far-of regions
a social and political sympathy and an expanded
intelligence: which are the chief elements of ma
lional strength and national prosperity. The
prompt transportation of troops and munitions Of
war will strengthen our national defenses, and
give confidence and security TO the western pio-
neers, whose cottages will flank either side Of the
road, and constitute them its efficient guards,
while they may derive present support from the
employments It would offer for their honest labor.
The diminution of the number of government
officials, the reduction Of the number OF troops
necessary TO protect our remote property and pos
sessions, the greater security and rapidity in con
veying government stores and munitions Of war,
together with the saving of time and of expenses
incident TO the extension of civil and military
orders, and the greater celerity given 10 their
execution, makes it measure OF unquestonable
economy. The contemplated increase of the
army by the organization of three additional reg-
ments, and which the wants of the country will
otherwise require, will thus be dispensed with
My friend from California, Mr.. McDoUGALL,
who seems to have examined this branch Of the
subject with unusual care, estimates the cost 10
the government Of military transportation to New
Mexico and the Pacific at 81, ,7390l4, and the cost
of keeping up its whole naval communication
with the Pacific by Cape Horn and the Cape of
Good Hope, of Quitting, discharging, and sup
plying everything required for that service. and
the loss of service 10 the government during
these long voyages at another million Of dollars
per annum. Were we TO become involved in
war with England, California as the most ex-
posed, the most deienseless, and the richest por-
tion of our country, would be the first attacked,
Such portions Of her standing army
service in India could be transferred to our Pa.
cifc shore while we were enlisting men TO de-
fend il. She has 6G7 war vessels, carrying 1880
guns, while we have but 60 vessels Of war; and
2,029 guns, all told Should she form an alliance
with France, with view TO prevent the acqusi-
tion of Cuba by the United States France could
bring TO bear upon 7,l44 guns which are car
red by BPS vessels of war. Could we in honor
or in law stand aloof, and California. the
fairest and youngest OF the sister States pillaged
and ruined, without an effort TO rescue her? And
what would II cost 10 march, or TO transport by
sea, an adequate army for her relief?
But, sir, il is in the name of humanity, that thi.
enterprise makes its strongest appeals 10 US for
support II avoids the perils of the sea, and makes
that appeal eloquent by suggesting an example Of
its dangers. What worldly consideration can
compensate for all The agony endured by those
who We're appalled,, and who died on board the
i-fated San Francisco? The heart sickens and
bleeds when contemplating the miseres which
encompassed the men who encountered them by
order OF government, and the women who shared
them by The commands Of affection And, sir, if
by " robbing the exchequer" Of every dollar in its
vaults, could have prevented their sufferings,
and preserved their lives, my vote should never
have prevented their salvation.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
Having satisfied myself that Congress has the
constitutional power 10 make donations OF lands
which lie in the territories, and that, in the case
under consideration, il is expedient 10 make them,
the remaining considerations have reference 10
The terms and conditions of the REIMBURSEMENT.
The bill provides as follows
Tha the purpose Of aiding and securing the con.
sruction Of railroad and elegraphic line from the Mis-
sisspp river Mt point not north of the thirtyseventh
parallel Of north latitude to the city Of San Francisco in
the State of California, there shall be- and hereby ap
proprated and set apart quantity Of land equal to the
Of such road from the terminus thereof the Mississippi
river to the one hundred and sixth degree of longitude
west from Greeuwieh; and from thence westerly to the
eastern line of the State Of California; alternate sections
the width of twentymes each side Of snch road and
from thence through the said State of California to the
western terminus of such road alternate sections the
width of fifteen miles each side thereof; such lands
be selected from the sections which shall be designated
the public surveys Of said land when made by odd
bers and to he held and conveyed as herein provided
Now, sir, my principal objections to the bill are
10 be found in the passage Of il which have
read, though there are minor points in its details
which my assent could never yield.
My first objection, then, is, that no reasonable
conjecture can even approximate the actual loca-
tion of the road. / would not as an individual
and cannot as an agent, make any bargain SO
loose and indefinite. haye said | take il Ms
granted that the most direct practicable route
would be pursued but by The terms Of the bill
there is nothing TO prevent this road making
civilizing sprawl from the mouth of the Ohio
river, via the great American desert down to the
Camanche settlement, and from thence back TO
that point in the Rocky mountains where the Sc
nior member from Missouri Mr.. BENToNI insists
that Colonel Fremonts mule died, but not his
men, and not of cold"
Again, il is very well understood that the city
Of San Francisco and the point where the Ohio
empties into the Mississippi river, are to be the
ternni of the road should il ever be built under