Washington sentinel., 1854-06-23

Puohc idhus winch lie In the IcrfltOry OF New
Mexico may be derived from the tenth section,
hrst article Of the Constitution, which authorizes
Congress ITO provide for the common defense
and general welfare of the United States" have
shown that the rapid communication over this
road, with the most distant portion of our coun-
try, would add more 10 the "common defense
than forts, magazines, and srsenas, and al a cost
Infinitely less than would be incurred by the es.
tablishment of local defenses with all their appg-
ances OF men, munitions of war, and military
stores, on such footing as will promise reason
able security to persons and property.
The authority may also be derived from the
power OF Congress " 10 regulate commerce with
foreign nations and among the several States
under which power Congress has established
lighthouses, beacons, buoys, harbors of protec
uon, and public piers; and with reverenial
spect for the great author of the argument in the
celebrated report on the memorial the Memphis
convention, submit that the argument more just
iy applies 10 the donation OF lands in the terrific
ries towards the construction OF This road than il
did 10 the improvement by authority of Congress-
OF the navigation of the Mississippi river
The distance from the Atlantic 10 the western
boundary OF Texas is estimated 10 be about six
teen hundred miles. In this direction railroads
are IN successful operation as far as Montgomery,
In the State of Alabama. Two companies have
been chartered 10 continue this line through Selma,
to the eastern boundary of Mississippi, both roads
having been surveyed, and one is progressing
under contract. From this point the southern
railroad is chartered, part of il built, and the
residue under contract, the State of Mississippi
having guaranteed bonus Of four hundred thou
sand dollars towards its construction. A road has
been many years in operation from Jackson 10
vicksburg, which, including section east Of
Jackson 10 Brandon, is sixty miles long. From
Vicksbnrg 10 the Texas line the Vicksburg, Shreve-
port, and Texas road is chartered and stock
taken to the amount of SS00,O00 by the State of
Louisiana. Other stock, to the amount of S9600OO
has been taken by individuals, parishes, and the
city OF Shreveport, giving present reliable capital
of 81 760 900 10 that road. Ii is thus perceived
that the eastern boundary Of Texas is reached by
a comparatively straight line Of railroads, com
pleted or in progress of completion, by individual
and State enterprise, and all lying between the
thirty-second and thirty-third parallels of north
latitude.
The legislature of Texas, as if anticipating a
of the two oceans by railroads, and
also their locations, have passed law granting
twenty sections of land per mile for the construc
ton OF a road through that State from point on
her eastern TO her western boundary in the direc-
ton of FL Passo. The length of The road through
Texas is estimated 10 be seven hundred and fifty
lands granted upwards of ten millions
of acres, which will be worth, at reasonable val
uation, when the road is finished, i've dollars per
acre-giving the handsome sum Of fifty millions of
dollars. Now, if we estimate the entire cost Of
this road at forty thousand dollars per mile (Which
is high estimate but thirty millions Of dollars Of
its resources will have been exhausted in its con-
struction. This will leave twenty millions Of dol
lars 10 cover accidents; and should none occur,
may be applied in aid Of the extension Of the road
to the Pacific ocean, distance Of six hundred and
fifty miles from the western verge of Texas. How
much OF the remainder Of the line lies in Califor-
MIA, TO which section am unwilling that the fed
eral government shall make any contribution to-
wards the construction of a road or how much of
II lies within the Territory OF New Mexico 10
which am willing that the government shall make
liberal and even munfcent donalions,) | have been
unable accurately TO ascertain, but am inclined to
think that one hundred and fifty miles will reach
across the southern extremity of California.
Liberal donations of lands in New Mexico will
be greedy accepted by some one Of the compa-
nies before mentoned--most probably by the
and El Passo company, or by COM
bination of companies-and thus railroad COM
be secured from the Atlantic to The
eastern boundary of California, somewhere near
the confluence Of the Colorado and Gla rivers
When road is there, the necessities of commerce
and sell-interst will perfect the connection be-
tween the two great oceans. The work is thus
by private enterprise, and all expe-
rience teaches us that any work thus performed
is always better, and sooner done, than if under
taken by the government, which is uniformly |
whenever il becomes a contractor. All
government patronage and its corruptions are thus
avoided, and security given against profigale ex-
.ravagance.
Among the other reasons for donating lands in |
The Territory of New Mexico towards construct |
ing railroad between the thirty-second and thirty
third parallels Of latitude, l find those which are
cogent, in the fact that it will be adding neces-
sary link to what is destined to become coninu.
Gus line that II is probable such donations will
give impulse and energy to the individual and
State enterprises upon this line, which the wants
OF the country urge to speedy establishment, and
In the comforting possibility of its relieving the |
Congress from the numerous applications for the
donation of lands which lie within the limits of |
different States
Another consideration in the location of this
road aud one OF great moment, is, that we avoid |
the Mormons-a sect towards which the religious |
sentiment OF the country will never be reconciled
and which is destined to be the fruitful source Of
local and political annoyance and trouble. The |
further we are separated the better for and for
them.
l am thoroughly convinced that no line of rail-
road communication between the Atlantic and the |
Pacific oceans will be established in our time |
other than the route have indicated. II is the /
shortest route, the freest Of natural distractions
the most convenient 10 carry out our national |
policy, and 10 aid in executing our treaty stpua-
lions under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and /
will distribute its commercial benefits most equal
ly among the States of the Union II establishes /
: convenient and rapid communication between
each OF the original States and the EXTREMIST
limits Of our national domain and brings The wealth
Of Asia and the Pacific Islands, from Jesse 10 Aus
ralia, TO their very doors. This commerce VIII be /
distributed through the northern portion Of AIaba
ma, Eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, and Vir-
ginia, by the Alabama and Tennessee river rail.
road, which diyerges from this line at Selma The /
Mobile and Ohio railroad intercepts it, by crossing
he line near the eastern border of Mississippi
and which connects the Gulf of Mexico with The |
northern lakes. Tile New Orleans and Northern
'airoad, which connects the cities of New Orleans
and Cincinnati, will cross the line al Jackson.
md pour the treasures of the eastern world upon
onr western and extreme southern States while
he Mississippi river, if in gratitude 10 its tibu.
ary waters, will give 10 the tide of commerce
ehux flow, and in exchange for the substantial
products OF .ts valley, returns all the conveniences
iecacies, and elegant Injuries which The refinesi
civilization could demand or desire.
know, sir, that shall be suspected Of giving
'reference 10 this route because OF sectional feeE
ng. If so, am unconscious OF IT, and the facts
which have presented will acquit me. The time
las been when was sectional, aud it has passed
came here sectional; but the noble trio of New
England Messrs. MAcpoNALD, HIBBARp, and IN
iERsoLLl have taught me to tear the word from
ny political vocabulary, and insert in lis place
mother which is more elevated and patriotic. The
word constitutional
The people my State were told on a memo
able occasion, by very high authority there, that
one of them should be asked if he was an Amer
can, the answer should be No. sir; am South
hou hol !