The semi-weekly mountain Democrat. (Placerville, El Dorado Co. [Calif.]) 1860-1860, 1860-12-01
worthy OF Confederation.

in any enterprise that may DC Of advah-
tagc to her, and we earnestly commend
his suggestions to the serious cOnsidcra-
ton Of our people. y few hundred dol
lars, judiciously expended, may make
Placcrvillc great and prosperous inland
rity. The letter is dated "San Francisco,
November 18TH" and comes from gem
tleman who is well posted and perfectly
reliable. lie writes:
II is m established fact that the cnnstruc.
tinn If the Pacific Railroad is 10 be commenced
ut an early day. am not ut liberty Ia enter III
IL details, but you may rely ON this information
being Correct
made examinations Of the Georgetown, Lake
and Irnness Passes, and will leave Wash
iny'on gu the next steamer with II view to lay
inv the information he has obtained before Con-
-grcsA- II Is If grcAl impnrtancc IL HlacCtv lie
that her r,,lte should be brought before Con.
grrss ~ curly in the session as possible. and
write to suggest that steps should be ''nme'
diaicly taken 10 examine the country bctwc zen
Slippery Ford aud Lake Valley. think ii
would also be well IL examine the western
shore Of Lake Biylrr Ia the head ut Truckcc
River. Can you not induce the people Of PA
crrville to attend tn this matter Al once:
IL will do the instrumental part of the
work without compensation, if the people 81
Placcrvilc will pay the travelling and other tri-
fling Incidental expenses.
The Indications certainly are favorable
to the speedy construction Of the Pacific
Railroad, provided the time nf Congress
be not almost exclusively occupied in dis.
cus>ing the slavery issue. We know that
this much needed, important and magniti-
cent -meakure-has not a more devoted,
able and influential friend at Washington
than DIR. Gwin and we know that he will
work earnestly, zcalouSly and efficiently,
as he has always done, for it. That he
has hitherto been unsuccessful is not his
fault. Those who doubt his sincerity or
question his motives are not acquainted
with the man, or purposcly miSrcprcSent
him. We have heard three gentlemen of
our town assert, on more than one Occa'
sion, and they had an opportunity to
judge, having spent a winter in Washing
ton City, that DR.. Gwin had more inhu'
fuence and could do more for California
than all the delegation combined. lie has
the ability, the will, the influence lie is
ambitious to identify his name with
measure Of such usefulness and magnitude
as the Pacific Railroad. For party pur-
poses he has been systematically miSrep
resented; and villainouSly detained by
political opponents and pot.housc politi-
clans, who are anxious to occupy his scat.
All his energies, all his talcntS-which
are admitted to be superior to many, in
fcrior to none in the L. S. Srnate-all his
influence will be vigorously aud unrcinit
tingly excrted for Pacific Railroad. lie
will not permit, without desperate strug-
gle, others to steal his thunder. The Pa
Cific Railroad has been a pet measure
with him, and if it be in the power Of
man to succeed he will do it. His inter-
csts are identified with California. lie is
known TO DC industrious, indcfatigablr,
earnest and laboriouS. lie labors asSidu-
ously; he labors with an eye single to the
advancement and welfare Of the State he
represents he has political influence with
Congress, as we'll MS with the Departments
at Washington and the President; this
influence he cnergetically cXcrtS, and hon
cstly, too, for the benefit Of his conStitu-
cntS. by vile combination his success
Sor may be sent to Washington, but not
before DIR. Gwin passes Railroad bill.
The construction of a Pacific Railroad
is no scheme Of demagC CUES, nor vagary
Of impracticablc spectators; but it is the
response of intelligent suggestion to the
clamor Of national necessity. That such
necessity exists, and that such clamor has
been loud and continuous, needs no dem
onStration even to the Shallowe>t observer
ofpaSsing occurrences. Countless thou
sands Of moneys are annually votc'l by
Congress for the advantage off, w inlctS,
innocent even of the anchor oil an oyster
smack, while yet this vat thorou.hfarc,
spanning half continent, is left uncarcd
for and neglected. We are not the advo-
Gates Of indiScrininate schemes, and
scopes Of "intcrnal improvements" but
where vast National demand exists, be-
yond the jurisdiction Of State, we regard
it a proper subject for Federal intcrvcn-
ton. Within the borders of our own
State it becomes alike our local interest
and duty to take this matter into our hands.
Indeed, regardless Of the great consum.
nation Of Railroad to the Missouri river
we, of the city Of Placervillc, would de-
rive immense advantage from its construc'
ton. We need scarcely add that Sacra
mento and the intermediate points would
share this benefit, and that the Territory
East of US would assume new existence
upon its completion. Nor do we urge
without reason and confidence, our prefer
cnce for this route. No other which ha,
been suggested in the journals of the State
possesses the same advantages and facili
ties as this. 1t is shorter by many miles
than any other, and frccr from olAstruc
tions, and it has been demonstrated to b,
perfectly practicable.
Taking it for granted, then, that tn,