The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-15
SEWARD on TIE PACIFIC RAILROAD.


/ Mr. Seward, of N. T., addressed the Sem
ate. lie began by saying that the descend
ants of the Dutch colonists of New York keep
for ever bright the memories Of their father
land. When, however, he travelled in Hol-
land, he could hardly find there one lingering
tradition Of the settlement Of New Nether-
lands. 1t is always so. The affection of the
emigrant Tor his native country is ever strop-
ger than the sympathies of that country for
Its exiles. The Senators from California as
yet the only representatives here Of society
on the Pacihc coast, are committed to this
great measure and earnest in its support. SO
he hoped that it his arguments in response
! to them seemed addressed to the Senators
from the Atlantic States, they would do him
the justice to reflect that it is only on this
side of the Rocky Mountains that the snow
and ice of indifference and prejudice resist
conviction. Mr.. S. would no, saw much con-
corning the details of the bill. If he were
allowed to prescribe the route and the policy
Of constructing a Pacific railroad now, he
would choose path which would be con-
tinuation OF the road that our great north
western emigration has hitherto followed
He would discard all employment of compa-
MES and all grants of public lands, and would
build the road as military. postal, nniionai
highway with the money and credit OF the
Federal Government, and surrender the lands
along the route to actual settlers, free Of cost.
lie would increase the revenues by an in
crease of imports, and create the sinking
fund to abolish gradually the public debt
But he had concurred in presenting this bill,
because it was the only alternative. He ad-
mittcd there were many objections to which
the bill was obnoxious; but the time for de-
Ehoroftnp hoS n al bot f.,
action is to begin. SO, being earnest in his
desire for Pacific railroad, he would accept
this bill.
Mr.. Seward then answered successivc,y the
general objections against the construction
of the road. Commerce is only an incident
al interest in connection with the road. 1t
is wanted first and chiefly for postal and mil
itary, that is to say, for political purposes.
1t is great error to rely on commerce for
such highways in Territories where society
has to be called into existence, or that eau
be dispensed with til society is created. The
! treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalso extended the
national jurisdiction across the Rocky Noun
tains to the Pacific, and from that moment
necessity OF postal and military highways
across them was disclosed. Our contentious
in Utah, Central America and Mexico, and
with France and England, are legitimate
consequences Of the reliance on the routes
through foreign countries instead of through
our own. MIR. S. continued at considerable
length.
lie did not pretend to know how long We
intended to founder on in this erroneous pol
icy; but was sure that the interior regions
will not be settled until the railroad is built,
and that probably the Pacific States will not
forever remain united. The fates are ALWAYS
busy in weaving fatal web for indolent and
improvident nations, and it depends on the
action of Congress now whether Washington
shall remain the capital of the whole United
States, or only of the United States of the
Atlantic, while the City of Mexico becomes
the capital of the United States Of the Pa
cifc.
He would not debate the constitutional
power of Congress to authorize the construc-
ton of the road. Even the strictcst con-
structionists admit the power of Congress in
case OF real necessity, to construct post roads
within the unorganized territories of the
United States, and in case of possible dan
ger to construct military roads. Let US i'm
press the fact that the American people num-
Der now thirty millions, and increase at the
rate Of million annually of free ambitious
men. Such people cannot remain station
ary. Activity is a law written in the social
constitution of all States under its influence.
France has disturbed the two hemispheres for
two hundred years. Great Britain has ex-
tended her dominion around the earth.-
Spain has discovered and colonized half the
globe, and Portugal has reclaimed a large
proportion of it which before had been lost.
The abolition of feudalism and slavery in
modern Europe and the conversion of the
western nations to Christianity are results
of the same national activity. In obedience
to the same law. We have rescued the country
we inhabit from the dominion of Spain,
France, and Great Britain, and all our renew
ed diplomatic conflicts are so many mani
festations of the energy and ambition of the
Americans proper. 1t is obvious that this
activity must take either a martial or civic
direction, and that if it do not receive the
latter from the hands Of the Government, it
will force the Government to guide it into
the former. How can we otherwise explain
from what the constant agitation of the fill
buster movement, Ostend manifesto aud
Monroe doctrine proceeds?
To him it seemed clear that this peaceful
acting, far more than military activity, is
for every nation safe, cheap, frugal and in
creasing, continually the number and wealth
VI u HutlOus " al 40 uuLul uUuS uuu uesUiu~
ting, its greatest benefit being obtained at a
fearful cost. History teaches that the con-
slant practice of war is incompatible with the
permanence of a system of self-government.
If he were asked why the British race in this
continent were republican, he would Say be-
cause the national activity assumes peace
| full character, rs monarchical countries as
sumo military one. If the national activity
is to have peaceful direction, it must be con-
| fined in its energies chiefly within our own
territory. Our domain is already broad
enough, and the opportunity for our activity
commensurate with it. The necessity Of
order, safety and union, requires US to con-
soldate our energies within it. The Pacific
railroad, with it's connections and lines Of
telegraphs, are the engines by which this con-
solidatlon must be effected.
| He did uot shrink from the enterprise be-
cause of its magnitude. Were it less formi-
dable it would be less adopted to the spirit
and genius Of the American people. The
enterprise is not really formidable consider
ed in relation to the benefits of peace, wealth
and strength to be derived from the agricul-
tural, mineral, and manufacturing and COM
mercial resources Of the region. In conclu-
sion he would say, if national activity is to
take abenefcent direction, the responsibility
of directing it belongs to Congress. 1t can
not be left to the States. The revenues be-
long to the federal government, and it alone
has power to act within the Territories. lie
called on every Senator to win for himself
the gratitude of posterity by connecting hi,
name with this great work. 1t seemed te
him there is no easier way to win the charac.
ter given by the Roman historian to the hon.
! ored historian:
Gle labored for himself with moderation
for the Commonwealth with earnestness."
GOOD ONE.
, The officials about the Court House tell .
story about certain gen, pbo has growr