The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-12-29
sswara on the PAc,r,c m.,iro.a.

sswara on the Pacific Railroad.
Mr.. Seward, of N. Y, addressed the Son.
ate. He began by saying that the descend
ants OF the Dutch solonists Of New York keep
for ever bright the nemories OF their father
land. When, however, he travelled in Hol-
land, he could hardly find these one lingering
tradition Of the settlement OF New Neither
lands. II 10 always 80. The affection OF the
emigrant for his native country is ever strong
er than the sympathies of that country for
its exiles. The Senator'S from California as
yet the only representatives here OF society on
the Pacific coast, are committed to this great
measure and earnest in its support. SO he
hoped that ii his arguments in response to
to them seemed addressed to the Senators
from the Atlantic States, they would do him
the justice to reflect that ii is only on this
side Of the Rocky Mountains that the snow
and ice Of indifference and prejudice resist
conviction. MIR. 8. would not cay much con-
cerning the details Of the bill. II he were
allawed to prescribe the route and the policy
OF constructing Pacific railroad now, he
| would choose path which would be con.
tinuation Of the road that our great north
western emigration has hitherto followed
He would discard all employment of compa
/ hius aho EIdhNe "a PduiiCl nhuss Auu WUui0
build tho road as a military, postal, national
| highway with the money and credit OF the
Federal Government, and surrender the lands
along the route to actual settlers, free of cost.
He would increase the revenues by an in.
crease Of imports, and create the sinking
| fund to abolish gradually the public debt
But he had concurred in presenting this bill,
because it was the only alternative. He ad-
| mitted there were many objections to which
| the bill was obnoxious, but the time for de-
| liberation has come to an end, and that for
action is to begin. SO, being earnest in his
| desire for Pacific railroad, he would accept
this bill.
Mr.. Seward then answered successfully the
general objections against the construction
OF the road. Commerce is only an incidental
interest in connection with the road. 1t is
wanted first and chiefly for postal and mill
tary, that is to say, for political purposes
II Is great error to rely on commerce for
such highways in Territories where society
has to be called into existence, or that can be
dispensed with till society 10 created. The
treaty of Guadaloup Hidalgo extended the
national jurisdiction across the Rocky Moan.
tains to the Pacific, and from that moment
necessity of postal and military highways
across them was disclosed. Our contentious
in Utah, Central America and Mexico, and
with France and England, are legitimate con-
sequences OF the reliance on the routes
through foreign countries instead OF through
our own. Mr.. s. continued at considerable
length.
lie did not pretend to know how long We
intended to founder on in this erroneous pol-
icy, but was sure that the interior regions will
net be settled until the railroad is built, and
that probably the Pacific States will not for
ever remain united. The fates are always
busy in weaving a fatal web for indolent and
improvident nations, md it depends on the
action OF Congress now whether Washington
shall remain the capital Of the whole United
States, or only Of the United States Of the
Atlantic, while the city OF Mexico becomes
the capitol OF the United States OF the Pa
cifc.
lie would not debate the constitutional
power of Congress to authorize the construc-
ton Of the road. Even the strictest construc-
ZIONIST admit the power Of Congress in case
Of real necessity, to construct post roads
within the unorganixed territories Of the Uni.
ted States, and in case of possible danger to
construct military roads. Let Us impress the
fact that the American people number now
thirty millions, and increase at the rate of a
million annually OF free, ambitious men,
| Such people cannot remain stationary
Activity 10 a law written in the social conyti-
tuition OF all states under its influence
France has disturbed the two hemispheres for
two hundred years. Great Britain has ex-
tended her dominion around the earth. Spain
has discovered and colonized half the globe.
| and Portugal has reclaimed large propor-
ton Of it which before had been lost.
The abolition Of feudalism and slavery in
modern Europe and the conversion of tho
western nations to Christianity are results of
the same national activity. In obedience to
the same law, We have rescued the country
we inhabit from the dominion of Spain.
France and Great Britain, and all our re-
newed diplomatic conflicts are 30 many man.
ifestations of the energy aud ambition of the
Americans proper. IL il obvious that this
activity must take either q martial or civic d.
rection, and that if it do not receive the lat
ter from the hands of the Government. il will
force the Government to guide il into the
former. How can VIC otherwise explain from
what the constant agitation Of the fllibuster
movement, ostend manifesto and Monroe
doctrine proceeds
10 him it seemed clear that this peaceful
acting, lar more than military activity, is for
every nation safe, cheap, frugal and increas.
tfSs community GIG Nnu NtAttl OIL a
nation. War, is hazardous and desolatiny
It's greatest benefit being obtained at fear.
ful cost. History teaches that the constant
! practice OF war is incompatible with the per
manence OF system Of self -governmcnt. Ii
he were asked why the British race in this
continent were republican, he would saw be-
cause the national activity assumes a peace
/ ful character, as monarchcal countries as i.
sumo military one. 1.-THE national ACTIVITY
IS to have peaceful direction, it must be con-
lined 10 It's energies chiefly within our own
/ territory. Cur domain IL already broad
enough, and the opportunity for our activity
I commensurate with il. The necessity Of or.
! der, safety ard union, requires us to consol-
/ idate eur energies within it. The Pacific
4 railroad, with It's connections and lines OF
telegraphs, are the engines by which this con-
! soidation must be effected.
| He did not shrink from the enterprise be-
4 cause OF it's magnitude. We're it less formi-
dabie II would be less adopted to the spirit
and genious Of the American people. The
enterprise is not really formidable considered
in relation to the benefits Of peace, wealth
aud strength to be derived from the agricul.
tnral, mineral, and manufacturing and com.
mercial resources OF the region. In concu.
sion be would say, II national activity is to
take benehcent direction, the responsibility
OF directing it belongs to congress. IL can