The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-09

SO that the States now find themselves 10 daily and hour
ly intercourse with each other and With the government
at this place Why SIR the circumstance that address
You TODAY will be known 10 millions of the people 10
morrow and IN all The States save and IN forty eight
hours after the locomotive win have distributed te de-
tails of this day proceedings 70 on equaf extent hS'e
any of the States assaed to-day by foreign zoe the
fact would be known all the othes one to-inor-
row. and the whole military power OF TINS Atlantic con
federacy il / may term IL, could be thrown 20 ihe
point Of attack in few days and thus the Wonheflni
succce is witnessed that for all the purposes of gov
eminent the coniederacy Of thtytwo states Is more
compact and conveniently maiaged than was that OF 'e
original thirteen. Railroads and teleguhic wires nave
worked this phenomenon IN our country progress lt
was these great agencies Keeping pace with the growth
of the country that have esmingss counteractcd and
far than counteracted its physical expansion
and, by the annihilation OF space, 70 nave drawn
its several parts into more close alliance ana ih-
tercourse, they have, also, NJ tte same tlle,
and, perhaps forever, put TO rest all appiessnsioas
of danger to the republic by the extension OF It's lis
And now sir permit to ask whether there Is one man
in this body in the nation who is not willing If
anois that these great agencies shall continue 70
move onward poft fasa with the future growth OF The
country aud perform tleir municent tnictiohsf Having
thus already brought the States east of the Rocky noun
tans within family circle they are extending Their
strong towards the Far West IN order, II posi-
be to bring the Pacific States and Territories WITHIN the
same accessible and intimate relation Who IL not atx
ios that the States of California and Oregon the Terrific
res of Washington and New Mexico shall be included IN
this familiar crcles AS TO Utah. until she behaves pet
ter she must not expect 80 be welcomed INTO cVea 80
cety while doubt not Tile road would become an EN-
cent agent of her reformation But these thgs can only
be attained by carrying this agency over the mountain
barrier found between and them
The belt of barren country between the Mississippi
and the Pacific has arrested the westward progress OF
railroads and the work of overcoming this obstacle is
evidently too great for individual means The construc
ton of railroad ior than thousand miles over
somewhat inhosptable region lily suited in its natural
condition for agricultural and mechanic arts, however
rich in mineral resources, is ordinary enterprise il
the government would enjoy it, she must extend to-
ward it most liberal support II is at least evident
that if left to commercial considerations IL not
likely to be constructed in time to the pressing
necessities of the government Merely for commerce. II
might be deferred but the wants of the general govern
nent WILL doubt not, become imminent. Nor is it pre-
sented as an ordinary railroad enterprise the consid
eratons which surround and mpe us to its construo
ton far higher and, If possible, noblor than the
motives ordinarily at the bottom OF railroad measures
10 MY own Iind 1t is far measure OF military
power and political progress on the Pacific coast tn Of
material wealth and population to the intermediate
country of political and social intercourse OF
unity and fraternity between the Atlantic and Pacific
members of the Union, than OF trade and commerce.
though essential to the promotion of each and all OF
these interests. We must have complete command over
and the power to protect the possessions we now have il
would hereafter induce neghborng States to accept
our free institutions their form of government We
must have constant and rapid intercourse between the
Atlantic and Pacific States Of cherishing those
political commercial, and social ties which bind civil
power.
Shall this relation be brought about Shall this OBJ
stace be removed shall it rinterpose 1t is the
only barrier in the way unlimited railroad communication
between the States that and to be- shall forever
interrupt railroad intercourse, which has already accom-
pshed much for the confedeaey of States There it
lies sir in its full length and BREADTH the public
domain and there it will lie forever But ii is not
impassabe barrier, and it must be overcome The gov
eminent has deep stake in the enterprise and why
should it not lend its counenance its property, and Its
credit agree that the construction of railroads not
of the objects OF government and were the purposes
of the one in view only commercial aud il to extend
over region Of country susceptible Of high cultivation
in it's full extent should be reluctant to connect the
government with it in any way but it is far otherwise
great barrier is found in the way of political social
and commercial reciprocity, and military aid and defence
between widelyseparated members of the Union, each
having equal claims upon the favor and guardianship OF
the government at Washington. Individual capital Is
not equal to the hcrculean task the inducements are
insufficient. and the strong of the government must
be extended to the work
/ Nor will it do to regard this work ordinary rail
road scheme The obstacle to which have reioned is
one of its distinguishing characteristics However rich
that region may be in minerals tand doubt not it con-
tans valuable treasure and perhaps large portion of its
soil may be susceptible of cultivation by irrigation, as
claimed by the senator from Cilifornia) it is not the
character of country that presents inducements to farm
ers-the pioneers of new country. They viii always
seek that region best suited by nature for their pursuits
where the least of labor will produce the largest
amount Of subsistence. Over such country the agri-
culturist and mechanic will spread and be Immediately
followed by the manufacturer the capitalist, and then by
! railroads But not TO the region in view to ii
the usual process of settlement must be inverted the
railroad must be the pioneer and draw after it population
capital, and the industrial pursuits.
! | think the government should aid this work
means Of political power and military defence and the
people of the United States should build it means OF
contendng for the greatest commercial prize that has
been saked in modern times, and as the most effective
agency of developing the material wealth of their vast
domain. The general subject, therefore, is of mo
mentous Importance and should command the attention
of the wisest of the land 1t is not question 10
be lightly treated for its consequences pregnant with
great results to the nation We should look at the sub
ect calmly and determine what is best for the future
glorious Union The statesmen of the revolutionary
times and of the earlier days of the republic do not
TO have been fataliss in their opinions. They did not
trust great objects, touching the growth of country
to the of manifest destiny TO the policy
well-considered and we-drectcd action The ndepend
encc Of the republic not the result of fate;
the formation of our republican government, with 1T
numerous independent soveregntics perfectly equal IL
their rights acting through and sustaining common
government-the work of chance the purchas
of Louisiana and Florida the result of accident Eacl
and all of these acts the fruits of wise and saga
cious policy, and we should profit by their example
Let allude to the importance of this work in mil
itary point OF view No statesman, it seems to me
contemplate the inevitable condition of California ia cas-
of war with strong naval power without painful oli
citude. The first sixty days of with such powe
would, in all probability her cut off from all inter
course with the Atlantic States and would with
out the means OF sending army to her relief through
possessions She would be left 10 struggle ant
perhaps TO fall alone At present IL would require fou