, 1858-10-29

croSSeu Win q lower graue than eiher OF
the ether suggested lines-that on Puget
Sound, or at the mOuth of the Columbia
river, we are as near the Sandwich Islands,
Australia, and nearer to China aud Japan,
than when at San Francsco-that from
Puget Sound we are as favorably located
fer South American commerce as at San
Francisco-that il the trade with the great
unexplored Russian north and northwest
expands 10 anything. that here we are
nearest and most natural in position to en-
Joy and develop it-that whether or not
the gold mines Of Frazer and Thompson
river in the British possessions, or those Of
Colville, and the Yakima aud Wenache in
our own Territory, prove to be incentives
and supporters Of great population, the
above claims are sufficient 10 entitle Wash
ingtOn Territory to q great consideration
in fixing the terminus Of the Pacific Rail
road, and to invite her people to urge those
claims upon the notice Of the Government
and Of capitalists. The advantages we
have before alluded to are incident to, and
belong to the county-thsy are natural and
undeniable. The discovery o. gold, or
rather tho attraction hithsr Of a vast num-
Der Of people, may be but temporary. We
are Of those who believe that in our own
Territory and in New Caledonia, vast re-
sources Of mineral wealth capable of sub
sisting an immense population, surely and
certainly exist. But blot this circum-
stance out Of consideration; take up the
map of the world; look at the situation Of
Puget Sound, of Washington Territory, Of
tho Mississippi river and the great lakes;
traverse the broad Pacific, and see Japan
and China, and its bearing on our section
Of this coast. Again look at the natural
connection, when upon the lakes, with the
settled East, the old towns Of the Atlantic
and the vigorous youthful States, lying in
the valley Of the Mississippi and the Basin
Of the great lakes.
Fruitful as the theme is, frought with so
much importance to US as a people, would
il be selfish or improper to take lesson
from our British neighborsH Is it wrong
to appeal to the emulation of our own peo-
pie, to urge upon them to seize these ad-
vantages while they yet have the Opportu-
nityH Are we to stand idly by, with arms
folded, and see others, net our own kin
dred, not Of Us, but our rivals, step in and
appropriate the opportunities which God
and nature have so surely conferred for our
bepeiit and for Us TO exercise Need we say
we allude to the fact that already has the
British government large force of engi-
neers and men in the field making pre-
Iiminary reconnaissance, with the view Of
locating Railroad connecting their Cana
dian Provinces with their Pacific possess
ions. Shall we stand BY and see them do
the carrying trade Of the world, which by
natural right we have, and which we fail to
enjoy because Of our lethargy and supine
old fOgy policyH Is Victoria to be built
up, or town on the British main, to strip
US Of growth and importance TO make us
merely subsidiary to their wealth and ad-
vancementI Is the capital appropriated
10 that channel to be distracted from
American enterprise and energy, and to
enrich our Foreign neighbOrs Are
Americans who desire to settle in Oregon
and Washington to travel all the way over
British soil when they seek settlement in
the future States of the North Pacific ?
Already have we found that there is line
for q road Minnesota and the great
States of the Northwest stand ready to in
vest their capital and their energies to con-
meet the lakes and the Mississippi river
with the North Pacific. Let us then be
up and doing On the 10th Of December
the Railroad question comes up in Con-
gress. Let US be in earnest and back up
our delegate-circulate petitions strength
ening and sustaining him. Identified as ne
is with the northern route, connected as is
bis name with it, let it not be misunder-
stood that you, citizens Of Washington
Territory, feel, too, its Importance. Cannot
We, urge upon some of the other counties,
already have ThurstOn aud Sawamsh
moved in the matter, to hold meetings in
favor Of this great movement. Now is the
time. We want a road ! And while in
sisting on our claims for northern route,
not certainly to the exclusion of any other
section Of our common country, we are for
Railroad connection between the Atlantic
and Pacific, because we believe it possible
and that the spirit Of the age demands it.