The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-03-07
FOR JUDGE OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL prsTRIC'
CYRUS RATLIFF.
NICARAGUA.

The enterprise of Gen. Walker, in his
cndcavor to establish and maintain an
American ascendency in this State, is at
last arousing the thinking men, not only
the nation but particularly Of the South, to
serious reflection.
This movement begins to assume mag
nitude of in the political questions of the
age which entities it to the earnest consid-
Grafton of the American people. and par
ticularlv of the American statesmen who
can see stone thrown into the probable
events of the future.
Not only docs the subject bear upon the
future interests of the country, but it pre-
sents commanding considerations for the
present hour. BY the result Of the recent
war with Mexico our territorial area now
covers this continent from the shore of one
ocean to that of the other. Upon our
western coast State of the first magni.
tude in our constellation has sprung into
existence, AS it we're by magic, possessing
exhaustlcss mineral and agricultural re-
sources, and opering new field to com
MERGE of an incalculablc extent. The fed
cral Importance and power, by the acccs-
sion Of California, has been enlarged be-
yond what the most enthusiastic statesman
could have foreseen, and with its advent to
the great family of States, have come upon
US new duties and necessities for which it
is our duty to provide.
The first Of these is means of military
and commercial intercourse. Between us
and that interesting field of American en-
terprise and power, lies belt Of country
twelve hundred miles or more in width,
and which for all the purposes Of social
and commercial connection, is at present
an impossible desert. The distance alone
is formidable barrier, but when we add
to this numerous mountain ranges and nll-
mcrons tribes of Indians whose hunting
grounds are to be travcrsed by railroads,
these difficulties are infnitelb enhanced.
yet in spite of all these railroad route to
the Pacific is feasible. at cost of about
two hundred millions of dollars, with a
proportionatc outlay for its protection
and defence, The energies and means of
our people and of the United States gov
eminent are more than equal to the accom-
plishment Of this enterprise, if laid upon
the Southern or central route. But Sec
tional jealousy, as it does every thing else,
has already rehearsed the requiem of this
great national enterprise, and duty the
most sacred and imperative to American
statesmen, has been sacrificed upon the al
tar of base and contemplate sclfshness.
The energies which should have been direct,
cd upon one great Pacific route have been
FILTERED away and squandered upon mis-
cradle project to build three great roads
of an aggregate. length exceeding six thou
sand miles-at cost of one billion five
hundred million dollars. This is the acme
of legislative folly, and the result is that
the idea of a Pacific railroad sleeps the
sleep that knows no waking so far as this
generation is concerned.
But that we must have a western connec-
ton is proposition in American policy
which no enlightened mind can resist
How is it to be had? Across the CONT
nent? That is both impracticable and in,