, 1855-03-03
stage Route to the Pacific.

behalf Of an Overland Stage Line to Cali
fornia, should prompt our citizens to immc-
diate and vigorous efforts to advance the
measure. 1t is of vital Importance that an
influence in its favor should be brought to
bear upon Congress. So many movements
have been made in the Legislature in con
nection with this subject, end so little has
been done, that nothing Of any particular
benefit can Ge expected from that body
They will continue TO auwue over the Sem
atoral Election, though the State rush
headlong to ruin during their inacton.-I
We mnst look then to the people to move
in this matter. We have had sufficient
words-we now want action Everybody
is convinced Of the necessity of the project
of the vast benefits it must confer upon
the State-of its entire practicability, and
Of its pro6tableness to those who under
take it; but the edge Of popular enthusi-
asm is becoming blunted by incessant dis
cussions on paper without corresponding
action. A decisive move must be made,
and we therefore suggest that State Con
vention, composed of numerous delegates
from each county, be held in Sacramento
at an early. day, to confer upon the subject
and to adopt measures for seconding the
work commenced by Missouri. An EN-
phatic expression Of opinion from such a
body would carry great weight, and could
not but exert powerful influence upon the
National Government 1t would encour-
age Missouri, and the other western States,
whose interests in this matter are identical,
to redouble their exertions to obtain favor
able action from Congress. 1t would con-
vince those abroad that we are in earnest
it would by comparison Of ideas and the
combined experience of intelligent men ac-
quainted with the routes across the Plains,
throw light upon the measure, and give
practical men the knowledge upon which
to base their action-it would and should
instruct their Representatives in the Legis-
lature as to their wishes, and the steps that
should be taken to carry them out-and,
above all, it would and should give form
and direction to the vague impressions in
favor Of the project existing in the minds
Of men Of enterprise and wealth. 1t should
condense from its materials the elements of
Company, prepared to take hold of the
matter in earnest-men who would sub
scribe their time and means to commence it
forthwith. This and more could be accom-
plished by such Convention, and we ask
all friendly to the cause to second the call,
and impress upon the people the necessity
Of it. 1t may be considered as settled-a
fact from which there is no turning away,
that California must stagnaie, if not retro
grade, during the next FIVE years, unless
this Overland Stage Line is established
The capitalists, with large interests at stake
here, who will not enter heartily into the
measure, and subscribe literally TO realize
it, is blind to his own interests, and regard
less Of the signs Of the times Let us then,
unitedly, second Missouri with will, and
to that end let us have State Convention.
IS. F. Herald.
The Wagon Route.-Letter from the People Of
Missouri to the People of California.
The subjoined communication was receiv-
ed by the Golden Age, through the hands
Of Mr.. Benjamin Holiday, who returned
to California on that steamer. The request
to give it general publication will be cordi-
ally complied with by the Press of Califor-
mia:
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Dec. 81, 1854.
We, the undersigned, Committee on be-,
half Of many citizens of St. Louis and Mis-
souri,, address this letter to you, as editor
Of o public journal, and ask its insertion in
the columns Of your paper as the readiest
means Of accomplishing the object it has
in view. A few weeks ago, the proposition
to organize company in Missouri to es-
tablish Stage and Transportation line,
between the frontier Of Missouri and the
State Of California, was made in this city,
and it Immediately met with such general
and hearty response as to show that sense
Of the perfect feasibility of the project, and
OF its vast Importance to Missouri and to
the Pacific Territories, was entertained by
our people. A meeting was thereupon
called Of q number of the leading and most
enterprising citizens of st. Louis, to con-
slider the project and determine whether it
was deserving Of a general effort in its be-
half. The meeting was presided over by
Col. John OFalon, who is not unknown to
many CalIfornians, as gentleman alike
distinguished for his sagacity, public spirit,
enterprise and wealth. There were pres
ent, also, at that preliminary meeting, men
who will be known in your State as traders
Of many years experience, who will, by
common consent, be admitted the capacity
to speak understandingly on such a subject.
Their judgment was decidedly and .unan-
mously in favor of the immediate establish
ment Of an Overland Stage Transportation
Line between the Missouri river and the
waters Of the Pacific. Just at this juno
ture, it has so happened that the mails Of
California bring us the cheering informa-
ton that your people, whose enterprise is
proverbial, and whose acts follow so close
ly on their resolves, are agitating project
precisely similar to our own, and that they
are seeking an overland route to st. Louis,
while we are seeking one to California
This coincidence is not without its signif-