The Nevada journal., 1860-01-06

sendlhg these resolves 10 you
ROADS, ETC.
Much has been done during the past two years to
place in closer communication with our Atlantic
brethren The construction of roads, and the estab-
lishment of mail routes by the Federal Government
across the continent have done great deal to advance
the prosperity of the State and strengthen the ties which
bind us to the Union
1t is not doubted that both of the established routes
be kept open during the whole year and that the
mails can be transported without serious difficulty.
Indeed upon of them the mails have been carried
in coaches during the past year with astonishing regu
larity and dispatch.
The establishment of military posts at certain points
these roads to protect nails passengers, and inmi-
grants from the attacks Of Indians is all that Is neces
sary to complete the system. Settlements will soon be
made along these routes and in very short time the
posts can be broken up and abandoned. But after all,
the necessities of the country demand the construction
Of Railroad is earnestly hoped that Congress VIII
at its present session devise plan for connecting
the Pacific with the Atlantic. The information neces-
sary to establish the practicaby the work has long
since been obtained Its necessity questions and
hence there is for delay The President OF the
United States has with commendabe patriotism again
and again in his annual messages invoked the attention
Of Congress to the subject In the one OF December,
1855 he saws:
1.-The first and most momentous of these Is that such
a road would be powerful bond of union between the
States and of the Rocky mountains. This Is
so self evident as to require no Illustration.
But, again. in a commercial point of view, consider
this the great question of the day With the eastern
Republic stretching along the Atlantic and
its front along the Pacific If all the ports should
be united by safe easy and rapid intercommunicaon,
we necessarily command very large proportion
of the trade both of Europe and Asia Our recent rea
ties with China and Japan will open these rich and pop
ulous empires to commerce; and the history OF the
world proves that the nation which has gained possession
of the trade with Eastern Asia has always become
wealthy and powerful. The peculiar geographical po-
son of California and our Pacific possessions invites
American capital and enterprise Into this fruitful field
To reap the rich harvest however, indispensable
prerequisite first shall have railroad to convey
and circulate its products throughout every portion OF
sat1r
perate latitude which would not be impeded by the
rosts and of Winter by the tropical heats Of
Summer would attract to itself much of the travel and
the trade of all nations passing between Europe and
Asia"
Such a work. situated as we are, would In military
point of yiew be worth more for protection against
foreign invasion than all the Notifications which are
being placed in our harbors Without railroad the
Federal Government give us the protection to
which, a member of the Confederacy, are justly
entitled few months since the eve OF diff
fculties with the British authorities northwestern
frontier, and in the event of collision the harbor OF
San Francisco would have been bockaded at once and
the city placed under contribution Shut that harbor
for sixty days and stop the shipment of gold DUST and
the paper banks generally in the Atlantic States would
break suspend specie payments. The disastrous
effect upon and credit would be felt In
every section of country; nor would the Federal Gov
ernment escape the shock. Her revenue would be SO
diminished effect seriously her finances and impair
the public credit Ii is certainly the duty of enlightened
guard against disasters of this character.
Although generation has passed away since We had
present condition of affairs, scarcely expect that
these peaceful relations continue much longer Our
commerce has increased until our merchant vessels are
found every ocean and every sea. Our Interests
often in conflict with the interests of other power
full nations and in the struggle for supremacy feeling
may be engendered which will eventually result in war
The policy of Government is to absorb the other
States upon the American continent and in the acqus
iion of prize of this immense value must expect to
meet with opposition from abroad. The jealous powers
Europe be expected TO stand aloof and see
after State drawn into the Federal Cnion and the
strength and importance of America over5hadow them
knows nothing of the progressive spirit of our people
who cannot foresee that destiny Is to cover the
continent. This will be accomplished unless In the
madness of our prosperity we break up the unlon
| and sever the cord which binds us together, and
constitutes our might and our power: As united
| family what a glorious destiny awaits us. Divided
Divided and distracted torn TO pieces by Intestine FAC
ons and civil wars the name OF American VIII cease 10
| be respected by the civilized nations of the globe.
The difficulties to which ausion has been made, upon
our northern frontier, have not been settled and as
each Government asserts in the most positive terms Its
right the island of San JUAN may be Involved In
n at a very early period. However much we would
deplore with Great Britain, or any other Power,
still with all its horrors, II would be FAR preerabe 10
disgraeefu submission 1t is true the full force of the
first blow would be felt here but galantly and brayey
/ would patriotic sons meet the emergency.
But the Importance of railroad connection with the
Atlantic has been often demonstrated that 1t is not
deemed necessary discuss the subject any further
The last Legislature by joint resolution invited
Convention of citizens residing upon this coast TO meet
San Francisco devise some plan to secure the con-
| struetion of the road
Delegates were elected from all classes in the various
parts of the State and also in Oregon and Washington
4 Convention assembled the - day of September,
and proceeded discuss the subject an eetenso. Much
| valuable information elected, and Il deep and
lively interest manifested in the speedy commencement
| of the work In the meanwhile memorials have been
forwarded to Congress, and an agent dispatched TO at
specially to this matter 1t is not doubted that
Senator'S and Representatives will also do all in their
power TO secure this work, which has been properly
designated the necessity the age" The Convention
1 Srl1iagt al In m
circulars etc, which ought to be borne by the State
We should remember that have rival owning large
possessions upon this coast who has the activity, the
energy, and the necessary means TO construct this
work. 1 allude, of course to Great Britain. In the
great struggle which is going on to obtain the
troll of the commerce of Asia, it may prove much more
formidable if We foolshy delay the construction Of
this railroad and British America, instead of the United
| States, may reap the advantages.
There Is another subject Intimately connected with
this upon which desire to submit few observations.
refer 10 the establishment of line of mail steamers from
San Francsc China ria Sandwich Islands and Japan
Congress has already established number of mail
routes connecting several of Atlantic ports with
Western Europe thus giving TO our sister States many
advantages which have been denied to US. We have
nearly as much Territory the Pacific had
the Atlantic coast forty years ago Their citizens,
however. have, through postal arrangements direct
communication with Europe, while with Asia fronting
us from the west, dependent upon the irregu-
larty and uncertainty of merchant vessels for the
transmission of correspondence, and this mode of
communication is frequently closed to our merchants by
rival interests Or if We desire avail ourselves of the
mails established by the Federal Government We must
send our correspondence to New York, thence TO En-
gland subjected TO the surveillance of British officials
| and thence Asia, reaching the latter point in eighty
days steamer running direct from San Francisco
could reach China in eighteen or twenty days, and this
after n railroad is completed, would place China
New York in point of time, as San Francisco now Is
| The opening of several ports recer<y in China and
Japan which countries embrace oneA \ the population
of The globe must vastly increase commerce, and
the establishment of line of steamers such pro-
posed would facilitate this very much. The commerce
of the Pacific has become so important that squadron
of armed vessels constantly required for Its protec-
ton Steamers running regularly ria Sandwich Islands
and japan to China would to considerable extent,
persede necessity of this naval force and the Fed
eral Government would then be compelled to send
vessels of war vast EXPENSE To hunt up distressed
or shpwrecked upon that coast to give pro-
lection to American citizens resident in those countries
Besides these vessels could be constructed that In
case of necessity they could readily be converted into
war steamers The policy of the British Government
for many years. has been to establish mail routes to all
foreign nations with whom she holds commercial
course Her statesmen do not stop to inquire whether
the postages received will defray the expenses but,
looking to the increase of commerce and the general ad
vantages resulting from the frequent intercourse multi
py mails in every direction. Indeed looking at 1t
mere postal arrangement it probable that the
of expenditures in that country over and above
cepts amounts to more than three millions OF dollars
per annum
| In the recent European war, England and France
were enabled, by employing the mail steamers, which
their policy had encouraged, to transport their troops
and munitions of to the field Of operation in
markaby short time Much of their success is aributa-
BILE TO the rapidiiy Of their movements in placing a
large and well supplied force in the field at an early day
Millions have been expended in sending fleets to China
and Japan to make commercial treaties and open new
ports and we likely to derive very little advantage
from this for want of small appropriation to aid In the
establishment of line of mail steamers. That immense
commerce. eagerly sought after In all ages by all ma.
tons and which has always enriched those who enjoyed
it, is likely fall into other hands, because of the failure
of the Federal Government to act The organization Of
two States and one Territory Pacific gives America
position where she could readily command this trade,