New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-11

/ '''"c''nhibE' unh"t
and two istbmu'. crossings, Drawing considerable
tiscon'oIt and peril to health and hfe. Suppose
citizen Of Oregon De srous Of visiting his father IN
Illinois or Missouri, be must now make journey
some four times az long as the direct line between
bis former and bis present home, encounterlng the
foul doors Of crowded emigrant vessels aud the
pestlentia breath Of the tropics, though his direct
route would be across one of the very healthiest
regions end through one Of the most pleasant Sum-
mef climates Oh the globe. Under what crcum-
stances our Pacific Mails are transported, whether
az regards security or immunity from extorton,
the history Of Ishmus robberies and riots and the
pending Negotiations with New-Gransda will attest.
Should we ever be involved in war with Great
Britain or France, the Istbmus route will practl'
caly be closed and Pacific possessions lie at the
mercy Of the enemy. Any attempt TO defend them,
much less to keep open the Transit by Nicaragua
or Panama, would involve an expense far beyond
what the Importance even of 80 great az object
would warrant. We should then be absolutely
compelled to open MaiI-route across tie Cont
nent, and would probably have it improved into
Military Road in season to hear that the valleys of
the Sacramento and Columbia were in the posses
sion Of our enemies
We hold then, that urgent considerations of
National integrity, National growth, National
economy and National security unite in demanding
the immt date commencement and energetic prose-
cutiOn Of National Railroad to the Pacific. The
mode and means are legitimate subjects of discus
sion; we are for the road anyhow and at the
earliest practicable moment; but We are willing to
defer and submit as to means, so that differences
as to these are not permitted to delay the work
For, now that We are at peace, with our Debt
nearly paid off, Twenty Millions in the Treasury,
and an annual income of Seventy Millions, it is the
tine to enter vigorously on such an undertaking,
which no true friend Of it will permit to pass
unimprOved.
In the suggestions which follow, we speak to the
earnest advocates Of the Pacific Road We shall
stand by them in any event, but We ask to be
didy beard.
And first, then, we are averse to commencing
three separate roads at once. In time these may
oil be built, and even more; but the true way to
secure them all is to first complete one. After
that, the Others will be easily constructed; but let
us now unite all our energies upon one.
We see no reason for other than generous and
friendly rivalry among the respective advocates of
the Northern, Central and Southern routes. Let
us unite in asking Congress to open the subject to
fair and honest competition BY advertising for pro-
pOsals for the construction Of Railroad wholly
within the United States, connecting through ex-
istiLg Railroads. the Atlantic with the Pacific
Ocean. And let the company which will give good
security that it will effect this within the specified
time for the least money have the contract, with
liberty TO choose its own route and q free right of
way across the Public Domain.
Secondly: We heartily despise the cOwardice
which shrinks from voting Public Money for great
enterprise but will readily vote to aid it by grants
Of Public Lands. These lands are just as truly Ma
tiODal property as the money in the Treasury and
shou be guarded and saved with equal fidelity. If
he make any difference, a Member OF Congress
should be more careful of Public Lands than Of
Public Money, for the tendency to squander the
former is far greater and the watchfuness Of the
People with regard to them far than in the case
of Public Money. The historian who shall tell pos
terty how recklessly our Public Lands have been
squandered through the last Elk eigh! years, will
be likely to astound the sagacOus aud pain the
patriotic.
It is just that any increased value given to Public
Lands By the construction of Railroad should
inure to those who risk their fortunes on the pro-
duc.iveness Of that Road. For example, the Illi-
nois Central has made lands worth in market $40
to $50 per acre which nobody, in the absence of
such Road, would have bought or settled for many
years yet al ten shillings per acre. We consider
this additional value truly created by those whose
money built the Road, and that, the fundamental
principles which govern the ownership Of property,
it fairly belongs to them. Ga what principle the
Government should have given them also the original
ten shliDgs per acre which the land was worih in
the absence of the Road, We do not understand.
We desire that the Government should deal literally
in the matter Of lands with those who may construct
the Pacific Railroad, but we trust the enterprise
will net be permitted to take such shape as will give
it the aspect of great Land Speculation. Do not
fear the People but ask them to give Fifty Millions
if so much is needed, to secure commun cation by
Railroad with the Pac fc within five or ten years;
concede such lands as this Railroad will need for
track stone, gravel timber and fuel sell it, if you
will, such lands as it raises from unnhab,able
worlhessness TO decided attractveness and value;
but do not let it absorb any considerable share of
the Public Domain. There will be clamor enough
against the enterprise at best; implacable foes and
false friends will unite to decry it ss chimera or
cheat; let ts friends take care that no well founded
objection be urged agans. ts policy or manage
ment which is not in essence an objection to build.
ing the road at all. 10 spite Of the general acques
cence, apparently in the necessity and e1pedieucy