The Shasta courier., 1859-09-10
Extract from Mr. Godfrey's Railroad
Speech.

G. X. Godfrey delivered q lecture in Excelsior
Hall, on Sabbath night last, on the Pacific Rail
road question. We give the conclusion of The
lecture, at the request of the author:
Having shown that the Atlantic and Pacific
Railroad is the greatest and grandest of all ma
tional enterprises which has ever been devised
and projected by the American people, I shall
now invite your attention to another enterprise
a connecting link to the continental railroad
which intimately affects ourselves Individually,
and the prosperity of California.
With central railroad across the continent
it is no fancy sketch of mind-to chimera of the
Imagination to foresee at an enrly day the con-
struction of railway from San Francisco BY
the way of San Jose, Monterey. Los Angeles,
Colorado and Mexico. and another from San
Francisco, via Stockton, Sacramento, Marys-
vile, Orovile, Red Bluffs. Shasta, Yreka Ore
gon and Washington Territory.
And If we are true to ourselves and the best
interests of California, we will, long before cen
trail railroad is completed have railway from
Shasta to Sacramento.
shall not enter into nice calculation by
figures as to the probable cost of constructing
this railroad, or what it would actually pay by
the transportation of freight and passengers
With this iron frame through the valley of the
OHSiduclltO NOutu IL not ne OF vast value, ana
provide for the stability of industry and enter
prise tor all time to come. 1t can find within
itself the resources for the support of a nation.
Then, | ask, will it not elevate our national
character and stimulate American enterprise and
improvement If other railroads have paid.
which have beeu sufficient guarantee for com
panles to construct railways in various parts of
our land, ask will not a railway from Sacra-
mento to Shasta pay at such high rates as are
now paid for so large amounts of freight and
passenger transportation? In short, this Shasta
railroad would be the best paying institution in
California.
The construction of this northern railway is
question which appeals with a multitude OF
considerations to the peace profit and patriotism
of us northern Californians. 1t is an enterprise
destined to increase our wealth, Importance and
prosperity, enlarge the sphere of her nationa
resources and facilitate their development Are
not these advantages worthy of immediate anC
jealous considerations How shall these grea
national enterprises be accomplished? Th
question is not hard to answer Money and la
Dor, with the aid of the press and the energetic
effort of contracting directors, the most inpor
tant enterprises ofthis or any other age may b.
| successfully consummated.
When this State enterprise is finished it woult
enhance the value of property and stimulate on
cltlZens TO duty ana exalted enterprise. Ever
valley and mining district on either side of tn
railway would become densely settled, and tn
great valley of the Sacramento, through whicl
stretches these long winding noiseless iron riy
ers, would blossom like the rose Then thi
railroad would stimulate a ceaseless, ever flow
| ing tide of commerce, calling into activity. b.
their magic power the giant energies of ,hi
great republic, and planting the farm house TIL
| school, the church. the work-shop the factory
the store, the village and city. like flowers 0
industry, along their iron borders
Citizens of Shasta, hold that this enterpris
is now of more Importance to US than the com
ing national political contest. 1t becomes us, a
citizens of Shasta, to lay aside all local an,
sectional interests and heartily join in with ou
purses and influence in support of this railroad
Shasta demands 1.-THE people of California
demand it Let US make the demand known il
| language that cannot be misunderstood On
duty is plain before us, and let us act promptly
A railroad from Sacramento to Shasta we mus
and shall have. Who viii be the first to aid il
this noble enterprise?