The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-04

They have more than once manifested some signs
Of restiveness under past neglect. During the pro-
gress Of the late vigilance committee Of San Fran
cisco. an independent government was suggested,
and a revolution favored by many Of its prominent
members and supporters. The scheme was indig
nantly frowned down by people loyal TO the Union
Yet it is necessary that something should be done to
produce greaser community Of interests and
strengthen the bonds between the Atlantic aud Pa
eifc Nothing can effect this but railroad, which
win afford ready, rapid and cheap channel of com
munication, aud at the time fill the interne-
date country with industrious population, depend
ent, commercially and otherwise upon the Union.
The various fliJuser movements that have pro-
ceeded from California have deeper significance
than the transient ambition Of few individuals.
The people Of the Pacific look with anxiety upon the
probable fate of the northern States of Mexico or
Lower California, a country completely disorganzcd
and 80 sparseiy populated that wellappointed
force of 2, 900 men would overrun and subdue the
whole country. There is more danger than appears
on the surface of affairs that movement which
should combine the whole of our present possessions
on the Pacific, and annex to that country Lower
be not only popular in itself ON the Pacific, but
emnently successful
The commencement of railroad would at once
nip all these projects in the bud, and at the same
time strengthen the government and unite fraternal
ly every section of the Union. Neglect, on the other
hand of this great national duty cannot fail to pro
duce not only alienation in feeling but necessary
measures of selfpreservation the part of the Pa
cifc States.
If the vast country on the Pacific to declare
itself independent of this Union, open it's ports
free, which would send all its gold direct to Europe,
adopt peon law for Asiatic and Indian labor, and
thus embark in the growth of cotton sugar rice, and
tobacco it would produce revolution in American
commerce aud prosperity to which the history of the
world affords no parallel And yet all this is not
only practicable but of easy solution and accomplish
ment
Let our statesmen, then, elevate themselves above
the miserable factions Of the day, and secure, while
in their power the great interests of vast empire.
1t is the interest of all political parties to put this
question out of the way at the present session of
Congress- We predict that the party that blunders
in relation to it is wrecked for the ten years 1t
is question which cannot be controlled by the poll
ticians The republican and American parties are
obnoxousy committed TO it. The democratic party
took strong ground in favor of the measure in the
Cincinnati Convention Of 1856. President Buchanan
avowed himself its champion in the canvass of 1856,
and has not failed in every annual message to Con-
gress to urge its consummation upon the federal egis
ature. 1t is too late, therefore, for either Of the
great political parties to tampcr with the s..se
ject, or evade the issue by INV s artfu dodye
rresiuon'ai asparaas should dig their political
graves the track of the Pacific railroad. 1t is
certain pass along and it will not be pleasant to
have their enemies pointing out their tomb-stones
from the cars of the first tlrough-train.
1t is well known that Mr.. Wilson and several Of
his republican associates voted against the road in
the last session of Congress The result of the re-
cent California election shows how their course was
appreciated in that State.
1t is common subterfuge to avow friendship for
measure and yet always denounce the particular
provisions of any bill that can be presented We
think the time has gone by when member of Con-
gress can pursue that course, and yet palm himself
off as friend of the measure. The road cannot
go to every mans house or through every members
district Neither any bl in all its details.
tirely satisfy the views of every senator and repre-
sentative. We should have no Legislation on any
subject if every project of law required to
contain that measure of unanimity.
I'D