The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-06
WASHINGTON, D. C.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
SPEECH oF WILLIAM H. sEwAI
DEcLHALH II, 1905,
IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.


certain routes for Pacific railroad | hope
that every proposition of that character which
Is in reserve may speedily be submitted Their
presentation viii open the way to a candid
consideration of the few remarks which it is my
purpose 20 make in support of this bill remarks
designed, not 10 show that the road which prob
ably viii Oe made under the bill will be made upon
the best, or the most convenient, or the cheap
est route, or that the system which the COM
mittee have adopted, and submitted to the
Senate in their BILL is the best system, and one
the most satisfactory to all parties which can
be devised but to show that it is impossible
for the Congress of the United States, repre-
senting, as they do, confederated States and
communities distant from each other, and main
tanning systems of commerce and agriculture
and manufactures so diverse, 10 agree and de-
termine upon any one route, or the full details
of any one system, TO the exclusion of all others.
have little occasion to appeal to the Sena-
tors from California, the only community On the
Pacific coast which as vet is represented in the
Congress of the United States. / have observed
always, in the State TO which ! belong, that the
memory Of the Netherlands is held in the tender
est affection by the descendants Of the first
colonists On the other hand, when | trav-
elled in Holland, was unable to find even one
lingering tradition there of the settlement of the
New Netherlands. 1t is ever So The afec-
ton of the emigrant for his native land is always
stronger than the concern OF the iatherland for
its exiles in foreign countries. The Senators
from California are convinced and committed,
and are earnest enough in support of Pacific
railroad. 1t is only necessary to convince the
Senators from the eastern side of the Rocky
Mountains. Ii is only on this side of the
mountains that the snow and ice of indifference
and prejudice remain TO be removed.
! shall pass rapidly over the details of the
bill No Senator has shown think no Sena-
tor can show-any objection against the propo-
sitions for settling he route, which are contained
in the bill reported by the committee, which has
not been already anticipated there. No one can
show think, as one has shown, an objection
against the plan adopted and recommended by
the committee for the construction OF the road,
which has not been anticipated there which
myself have not anticipated and surrendered
there This bill is not nv bill. The route upon
which the road will probably be made under it
is uncertain 1t cannot now be ascertained. My
own apprehensOns are, that il will cause road
10 be built in a latitude further south than |
should prefer; but, on the other hand, know,
or at least / think I am authorized to say, that
members Of the cOElmittee as well informed on
the subject and as shreWd and sagacious l.
opposed the bill in committee, because they be-
lieved that under it the road would probably be
made on a route more northern than they could
apBroye If were authorized and empowered
90 provide for the construction of the Pacific
a. 4
tude. and should extend the road directly across
the continent in continuation of the northwest
erll track of emigration which has been pur-
sued from the time wheh the navigation of
the New York canals and the great lakes was
opened until now, when we ind population
already gathered and clustering upon the west
ern shores Of Lake Superior. If were author
lied TO provide the system upon which it should
be built | would discard and reject at once
all pretence of the employment of companies
or associations. which, in my judgment, are
but shams when engaged by the Government Of
the United States 10 construct great national
work. / regard such associations as bodies
which viii have no blood, no nerves, no sinews-
in short no power, no life, but what they will
derive from the yigor SGd strength of the Gov
eminent OF the United States would discard,
utterly and entirely, the policy Of giving public
lands 20 railroad companies, to be sold ~ the
shambes to spectators, to raise means to carry
on this great national work. would directly
employ the capital and the credit of the United
States, increasing the revenues Of the United
States from commerce. for the purpose Of defray
ing the cost, and establishing at the same time,
sinking fund which should, within a reasona-
bic time absorb the public debt thus created.
And would surrender the public lands in the
vicinity Of the road to actual settlers for cult
sRtion, SO as to secure the speediest possible
production Of revenue from it,
overrued in the committee rs have been all the
proposed other or different plans or methods of de-
termniug the route and they have been over
ruled upon a dHe consideration of all our obiec-
tions. This bill has been reported by majority
of the committee, with whom agree 10 accept
Il, not as the best possible bill, but that one
which VIII come nearest to our own systems and
views. The only alternatives were either one less
acceptable 10 those with whom suppose myself
10 be.acting, or no bill for a Pacific railroad at
all ii any one inquire wins submitted to be
overruled, answer, 10 was because ] think that
1t is time for delberation end, and fot action
10 begin. Ia other words, in earnest in
desiring 10 see a Pacific railroad built
III / have not made myself clear in regard to
this impOssibility of fiXiGg a route in debate
here, think shall be able TO do so by single
further remark The Congress OF the United
States contains Representatives who may be dis
tribUted in several classes-first those who
would vote for Pacific railroad anywhere
a second class, who would vote for a rail-
road ii Il not carried upon a route en-
trely distant and remote from the States which
they represented; and third class, who will
not vote for a railroad at ali anywhere, to be
made in any way, and under any circumstances.
Since we concluded in the committee that no one
route could be determined on in debate it only
remained to find some plan for the selection OF
route Independently OF our own direct action
ne proposition WHICH VAS adopted provides
that the President Of the United States shall be
furnished with means TO contract virtually for
the building of a Pacific railroad, starting at a
point on the western line of the organized States
of the Union that is the Missouri river the west
ern border of the State of Missouri at some point
between the Big Sioux and the Kansas rivers,
and thence TO proceed to San Francisco in the
State of California, by the most eligible route,
regard being had to feasibility, shOrtBess, and
economy. ID Is possible that the confidence thus
TO be repOsed in the Executive might be abused :;
but there is guaranty for his trust being exc
cuted wisely and justly, in the fact that the bill
provides an appeal to the interests of capitalists
10 ascertain the most eligible route, reference
being had to feasibility, shortness ard economy
The western terminus of the road must, at all
events, and Immediately, be at San Francisco ;
not that it will be the only terminus of all the
Pacific railroads which shall be hereafter built ;
not that it is in our power to bind up fate, and
compel the population upon the whole extent of
the Pacific coast TO pay tribute forever to San
Francisco but that San Francisco occupies at
this time, the position of the centre of commerce
on the Pacific coast of this continent and that
civilization is further advanced and more COM
pleted and perfected in the State of California,
and in that portion of il which communicates
with San Francisco, than il is in any more north
ern or more southern region on that coast 4
railroad to the Pacific ocean would be practically
incomplete, which should traverse the continent
and stop at San Diego in the south, or at Quay
mas, on the Gulf Of California, or at Puget Sound
Although it may be practically wise to build the
road to Vancouyer's Island or to Puget Sound.
still, when il has been brought there, com
merce, and the interests of the Government,
would require it TO be continued to San Fran
cisco. Therefore, a majority of the COM
mittee supposed il was safe and proper TO require