Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-12-27
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.

The question of a railroad to the Pacific
the purpose has been introduced into the Sen
ate. Mr.. Seward made one of his statesmanlike
speeches in its favor, on Tuesday, urging the
immediate construction of the road as a mat
ter of public policy. He proposes route
which would be a continuation of the road
that our great North Western emigration has
hitherto followed. Senator Wilson's amend
ment, that the road shall be between parallels
"a and 43, is consistent with this idea There
would seem to be no question, that if the road
is to be constructed, by the aid of the general
government therou should be between these
limits, passing through the Southern portion
of Iowa and Nebraska, or the Northern por-
ton of Kansas, Westward. AT all events, the
entire road should be through free territory,
to the end that the embarrassment in which
the slave system involves all railroads passing
through slave territory, may be avoided.
That the construction of a abroad to the
Pacific, with such aid from the general gov
eminent as it cOnstitutionally possesses, would
be a powerful bond of union between the
States, cannot be denied. How much more
statesmanlike, and how much more in accord
ance with humane and republican institutions,
would be such Misunderstanding, than the spend
ing Of our energies, as a nation, in foreign
conquest, the subjugation of foreign territory
to our sway, or the military eclat which might
be gained by a warlike encounter with some
fho fbo
latter might win us lasting laurels
1t is certainly the hope and prayer of every
American, who has true love for his country,
that in the future, the energies of this govern
ment may be directed rather to the civilization
and improvement of the people and territory
we already have, extending over SO many de-
grees of latitude and longitude, from ocean to
ocean, and from the waters of the Mexican
Gulf on the South, to the British and Russian
possessions at the Northward, than to have
them expended in the suicidal policy of adding
to the already cumbersome weight of our ex-
tended Union, by force of arms, or by the power
of diplomatic strategy.
The United States now number nearly hirty
millions of people, spread over an immence ter
ritory, capable of supporting many hundred
millions more, and it would seem the part of
wisdom, to direct our energies to the improve
ment and adornment of that we already have,
rather than to the acquisition of more. The
immediate construction of a railroad to the
Pacific, would, it is true, be most expensive
undertaking, but it would also be most benef-
cial in its results, upon the commerce and gen.
eral business enterprise of the country. It
would bring US into direct communication with
every portion Of-.he civilized world! A line
of Geographic communication, running beside
it, which might be extended Northwestward to
Europe, would give US instant knowledge of
passing events everywhere, to the remotest
extent Of Geographic connection in the capitals
Of the Old World, even to the opposite side of
the globe and this we might do, although the
great Geographic cable lie forever silent at
the bottom of the Atlantic.
The prominent feature of the race of Ameri-
cans, made up of the best blood of Europe, is
actisity. That this activity will exhibit itself
in some form, is inevitable, either in war or
peace, by arts or arms This race cannot re-
main stationary, but is bound To progress in
some way or other as its history indicates
That the superabundant energies of the
country may at this time seek pacific chan
mel, should be the ardent desire Of every true
citizen. What more worthy enterprise could
be selected, than the magnificent project here
recommended, for the application Of this sur
plus American energy.
Mr. Seward, in his speech, alluded to this
matter Of ceaseless Yankee activity, as fol-
lows:
ut is obvious that this activity must take
either material or a civil direction, and that
# it does not receive the latter from the hands
Of the Government it will force the Govern
ment 10 guide il into the former. How can
we otherwise explain from what the constant
agitation Of the tilibuster movement, Ostend
Manifesto, and Monroe Doctrine proceeds
TO bim, il seems clear that this peaceful act
ing, far more than the military activity, is, for
every nation, safe, cheap, frugal, and increas-
ing continually the numbers and wealth of a
Ration. War Is hazardous and dosolating--its
reatosi benefit being obtained at q fearful cost.