The Nevada journal., 1861-03-22
PACIFIC RAILROAD FAILED.

The last Pony brings intelligence that
the Pacific Railroad bill las failed. In the
ordinary course of events we would be sor-
ry, exceedingly so, to chronicle the defeat
of this measure of so much Importance to
the springing Empire of the Pacific. But
the distractions in the country and at
time when the Exchequer of the Nation is
"plethoric with nothing, invite US to con-
slider the policy of committing the country
to the great work until internal disseu-
sions are settled. In the present aspect of
the expenditures necessary to restore peace
and order. The first business is to secure
existence. Convenience and progress must
come afterwards. 1t would be impolitic
in financial view, while the dark cloud of
civil war impends over the country, to under
take great and expensive work which we
can contrive to do without as we have done
in the past. The inconvenience Is undoubt-
edly much to our growing State, but our
people are patriotic enough in the hour of
their country's trial to suffer deprivations
even twelve years longer for the sake of
the Union and vii attribute the cause to the
same source which has deprived them Of a
railroad during the decade just finished.
While the South held the reins of govern
ment no railroad could be had, and now
x,-tap
the control of the nation, the same oppo-
sition is to be fought in another form. The
secession, anti-raiiroad states are provid-
ing ways for all the resources of the coun-
try that no railroad can be built. Under
ordinary circumstances the railroad men
in Congress would be in a fair way to glat-
ify their wishes by comm itting the govern
ment to the great National road. But in
view of the condition of the country it
would be impolitic at this time to begin
the great undertaking. We regret the pos
ture of affairs. Our hopes and wishes
have been long deferred, and our hearts
are sick by the delay.
But we cannot but indorse the action of
the powers that be. The Pacific Railroad we
are forced TO admit, has beenw isely left for
after consideration. Why should millions be
spent for the improvement of any section
of the Union till it is known where, and
where not the doctrines of Calhoun are to
prevail? We hope, and are confident that
they will be extirpated from the whole
country try no expensive experiments on an
uncertainty. Those parts of the Union that
have cost the most, like Florida, Louisiana,
and Texas, are the most unruly and un-
grateful. While the patriotic people of
California would repel the insinuation that
they would do likewise in any emergency,
they cannot but see that the incentives for
northern and eastern representatives in
Congress to vote for appropriations a great
share of which must be paid indirectly by
their own States, are small indeed while Sc
cession doctrines hold prominence in any
considerable portion of the Union.
AS citizens of California, largely and al
most vitality interested in Pacific Railroad,
we can complain of nothing but the disun-
ionists that our hopes and interests are
crushed. We will lend helping hand to
put down the common enemy, and then we
will not have to ask in vain for a share of
the common benefits of Union.