The Placer herald., 1856-09-20
Jefferson Davis and the Pacific Railroad

Gov. Foote in his recent speeches through
this county, has taken occasion to represent
the present Secretary of War as an opponent
of the Pacific Railroad. The Governor ad-
mits that Mr.. Davis whilst attending din
ner at Philadelphia in 1853, made a speech
in favor of the railroad, and the evidence is
that James Buchanan, who was present en-
dorsed the doctrines set forth in the speech;
but the Governor asserts that Davis "subse
ouentlv took it all back and swore he never
said it." A more fragrant violation of truth
never was uttered; a more wiful misrepresen-
tation Of history was never perpetrated, and
the wonder is how man of Gov. Foote's
standing should be led by feelings of hatred
or revenge. so far to compromise his charac-
ter for veracty. In proof of our position we
publish below the concluding remarks of the
report of the Secretary of War on this sub
iect, made to Congress at the present session.
This portion Of the report is every way worthy
of publication entire but we have only space
at present for sufficient to show conclusively
that in the year 1856, Mr.. Davis is commit
ted in the most solemn manner, heart and
soul, to this great national work:
"These considerations and others of strict
ly military character, cause the Department
to examine with interest all projects promis
ing the accomplishment Of a railroad com
municaton between the navigable waters of
the Mississippi and those Of the Pacific ocean,
As military operations depend in greater
degree upon rapidity and certainty of move
ment than upon any other circumstance, the
Introduction of railway transportation has
greatly improved the means of defending our
Atlantic and inland frontiers; and to give us
sense of security from attack upon the
most exposed portion of our territory, 1t is
requisite that the facility Of railroad trans
portaton should be extended to the Pacific
coast. Were such road completed, our
Pacific coast, instead Of being further remov-
ed in time, and less accessible to us than an
enemy, would be brought within few days
of easy communication, and the cost OF sup
plying an army there, instead of being many
times greater to us than to him, would he
about equal. We would be relieved of the
necessity of accumulating large supplies on
t at coast, to waste, perhaps, through long
years of peace, and we could feel entire con
fidence that, let war come, when, and with
whom it may, before hostile expedition
could reach that exposed frontier, an ample
force could be placed there to repe any at
tempt at invasion.
From the results of the surveys authorized
by Coprrass wa derive at least the assurance
that the work is practicable and may dismiss
the apprehensons which previously we could
not but entertain as to the possibility of de-
Tending our Pacific territory through long
war with a powerful maratine enemy.
The judgement which may be formed as
to the prospect Of its completion, must con
troll our future plans for the military de-
fence of that frontier, and any plan for the
purpose which should leave that considera-
ton out of view would be as imperfect as if
it should disregard all those other resources
with which commerce and art aid the opera
ton of armies
Whether we shall depend on private cap
ital and enterprise alone for the early estab-
Eshments of railroads communication, or
shall promote its Instruction ly such aid as
the general government may constltptionaly
oive whether we shall rely upon the contiu-
ance of peace, until the increase OF the popu-
lation and resources of the Pacific States shall
render them independent Of aid from those
Of the Atlantic slope and Mississippi valley,