The Nevada Democrat., 1856-10-08

anu newspaper OtHoAics AhS htVeSt -
of Mr.. Fillmore's administration from 1850 to
March 1858, by no means justifes the vastly
muniRcent pledges which his anxious followers
arc disposed to make in his behalf.
The Republican party have blazoned the
Rail Road upon their banners, and that, with
''nigger in the fence" constitutes their whole
trading capital On the Pacific side, their 'bal-
lad mongers'' sing songs in praise OF it, and OF
the 9Th Avenue man, who don't live in Califor-
MIA. This party, contemplating nothing but
mischief to the country, attempts to make
amends for its execrable purposes by an inces-
SAINT clamor upon this subject.
The record of their candidate, however,
scarcely sustains the high sounding pretensions
of his followers. During the memorable twen-
ty-one days of his senatorial career, he intro
duced bill, supposed to have been originated
by himself, of which he claims the paternity.
The title of that bill was also his own work, and
as it fully expresses its character and objects,
we give it as copied from the Congressional
Globe of 1850, page 1879.
"a bill to provide road across the Sierra
Nevada mountains, on the line Of the Rio de los
Americanos and Carson's river, and the pass at
their head, as the commencement of opening
common tydUeling road between the present west
ern settlements and California"
This, "he commencement of common travel
ing road" was all that he could, as senator, be
induced TO demand for his constituents of Cali
fornia, if we except his illstarred exertions to
tax the miners who, in an evil hour had sent
him to Washington to represent their interests
On this question, the Democratic party oc-
cupies high and impregnable position. Already
have its representatives at Cincinnati, declared
in their platform; 'that the Democratic party
recognizes the great Importance in a political
and commercial point of view, of q safe and
speedy communication by military and postal
roads through our own territory, between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Union; and
TO exercise promptly, all its Constitutional pow
ers for the attainment Of that object" The
President of the U. S., the much abused Frank
lin Pierce has repeatedly in his messages, call
ed the attention of Congress to the subject, urg-
ing them to make provision for uniting the
bDOTtb vi tue uCluC WIFI buC VI blS nllSo-
issippi. He has done this much officially, and
in his place as a citizen, he has indicated his ap-
probation of the necessity and duty Of the Fed
eral Government to take hold of, and encour-
age this great work. On the 18th July, 1858,
-. the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, in the
city of Philadelphia speaking on behalf of the
President who was present, declared that strict
constructionist as he was, "he had mocked the
idea that this government could build road
out side the u. S., and could not build one with
in it," and further; "under every ingenious
construction which had been placed upon the
various powers of the government under every
ramifcation which ingenuity had suggested to
supply that deficiency of inter-communication,
in vain had it been attempted to be shown him
how the military power Of this government,
!, which consisted in the sinews and strong hearts
of its citizens could be used on the slope of the
!, Pacific, unless there was q Railroad to transmit
= it," When these sentiments were altered by
!, Mr.. Secretary Davis, speaking for himself and
the President, Mr. Buchanan was present,
= and being called upon to respond, said that his
friend Mr.. Davis although a strict construction
list, "had got so FIR as 10 be wiing to appropriate
The public money TO make rail road to the Pacific,
,oih Which he himself entirely agreed" This was,
and is the position Of the candidate of the Dem
!, ocratic party for the presidency. But we have
the opinion of the present Secretary of war, un-
!, der more solemn sanctions. In his annual re-
3 port to the President, made the Sd day of De-
pamhpr last aftnp 0oinU at lnn0th MI m
: ment in favor of the construction of this Rail
road by the government, as great military
, highway, he concludes as follows:
"From the results of the surveys authorized
by Congress, we derive at least the assurance
: that the work. p,-.e icable; and may dismiss
/ the apprehensions which, previously, we could
not but entertain us to the possibility of defend
ing our Pacific territory through u long war
- with q powerful maratime enemy.
: "The judgement which may be formed as to
, the prospect of its completion, must control our
a future plans for the military defence of that
frontier; and any plan for the purpose which
: should leave that consideration out of view.
$ would be as imperfect as if it should disregard
: all those other resources with which commerce
and art aid the operations of armies.
Beyond the direct employment of such
road for military purposes it has other relations
to all the great interests of our confederacy po-
: ltical, commercial, and social, the prosperity
: of which essentially contributes to the common
defence. OF these 1t is not my purpose to treat,
further than to point to the additional resour-
e ces which it would develop, and the increase
: of population which must attend upon giving
such facility of communication to q country so
tempting to enterprise, much of which having
: most valuable products is beyond reach of mar
ketr
Upon this we might well afford to rest, with
the simple remark that when the storms and ag-
tations which now shake the foundations of
the Republic shall have passed away, and with
the election of James Buchanan, we shall have
guarantee of future good feeling between the
sections of the country, the power of the gov
: ernment in the hands of the Democratic states
men will be put forth earnestly, to bind togeth-
er the extended borders of the Union.