Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-12-17

in the opinion of many, could not be
surmounted. Now, after the lapse Of
but single year, these obstacles, it has
been discovered, are far less formidable
than they were supposed to be; and mail
stages, with passengers, now pass and
repass regularly twice a week, by com
mon wagon road between San Francisco
and ST. Louis and Memphis, in less than
twenty-five days. The service has been
as regularly performed as it was in for
mer years between New York and this
city.
Whilst disclaiming all authority to APP
propriate money for the construction of
this road, except that derived from the
war making power of the constitution,
there are important collateral considera-
tions urging us to undertake the work as
speedily as possible.
The first and most momentous of these
is, that such road would be powerful
bond of union between the States east
and west of the Rocky Mountains. This
is SO self-evident as to require no illus
/ tralion.
But again, in commercial point Of
view, consider this the great question
of the day. With the eastern front of
our republic stretching along the Atlant-
ic, and its western front along the Pacific,
if all the parts should be united by a
safe, easy, and rapid communication, we
must necessarily command very large
proportion of the trade both Of Europe
and Asia. Our recent treaties with
I China and Japan will open these rich
and populous empires to our commerce; ;
and the history of the world proves that
the nation which has gained possession
: of the trade with Eastern Asia has al
ways become wealthy and powerful. The
: peculiar geographical position of Cali
fornia and Pacific possessions invites
American capital and enterprise into this
: fruitful field. To reap the rich harvest,
r however, it is an indispensable prerequi-
= site, that we shall first have a railroad, to
: convey and circulate lis products through
: out every portion of the Union. Be-
5 sides, such a railroad through our tenn
E perate latitude, which would not be i'm
= peded by the frosts and SHOWS of winter.
e nor by the tropical heats of summer
q would attract to itself much of the traveI
and the trade of all nations passing be-
: tween Europe and Asia.
# When Congress met in December
last, the business of the country had JUS
e been crushed by one of those periodical
y revulsions which are the inevitable con-
e sequence of our unsound and extrava
e CANT system of bank credits and inflated
e currency. With all the elements of ma
l. tional wealth in abundance, our manu-
e facturies were suspended, our useful pub
lie and private enterprises were arrested
e, and thousands of laborers were deprivet
n of employment, and reduced to want
y Universal distress prevailed among tn
), commercial, manufacturing and machan
IS ical classes. This revulsion was felt til
r more severely in the United States be
at cause similar causes had produced tn
y like deplorable effects throughout tn
he commercial nations of Europe. A
TT were experiencing sad reverses at tn
ne same moment. Our manufacturers eve
ed rywhere suffered severely, not because
n the recent reduction in the tariff of dutie
IL on imports, but because there was n
rs demand at any price for there produC
nd tons. The people were obliged to r,
ee strict themselves in there purchases
he articles of prime necessity. In the gel
eral prostration of business, the ire
Nv manufacturers in different States prob
he bly, suffered more than any other elias
"a and much restitution was the inevitab
-or consequence among the great number
ct. workmen who had been employed
to this useful branch of our industry
I'd. There could be no supply where the
to was no demand. To present an exar
of pie, there could be no demand for ra
his road iron after our magnificent syste
to Of railroads, extending its benefits
r. every portion of the Union, had be-
be brought to dead pause. The san
er- consequences have resulted from simiI
ifc causes to many other branches of usei
ats. manufactures. 1t is self-evident ii
at where there is no ability to puchase ma
Gus ufactured articles, these cannot be Sc
OBJ and consequently must cease to be pr
nee duced.
It'll No government, and especially a &c
be eminent of such limited powers as th
,,l of tho TTnitaJ Cfata, oa,.Il - -