, 1862-09-04
:Th1 Gritt1rG.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD,

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1862.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Truly one of the most extraordinary
spectac1es Of this time, and an event which
would have been regarded as prodigious
In any other time, is the assembling in our
midst Of the men who arc to inaugurate
the Pacific and Atlantic Railroad. Tie ,
7crY foundations Of the government are
moving, its firm set pillars are tottering
and rceling, and the whole vast frame Of
society is hcaying and rocking with
mighty CONFUSION; and yet in the midst
ot it all, with an unconsciousness, or disrc-
card Of the threatened catastrophe, that it
would seem could only be the fruit Of some
strange blindness or fatuity, did We
not know the sublime faith in popular in
stitutions and in the perpetuiy of the
Juion on which it is built-mcn come qui-
et1y and hopefully together to lay the foun-
dation OF stupcndous work Of internal use
aud strength, which is to open continent,
and mould together into one living and
glowing mass Of social intercourse and
commercial harmony, Asia aud America,
the East and the West. 1t would seem al
n,cst incredible that nation whose
strength and resources are being so severely
tested by the vast expenditures fthe most
tremendous civil war ever known, should
conceive at this time Of undertaking work
of such magnitude and expense; and still
more marvellous that nothing in all the
present distractions and multiplying bur
deps Of the country, should seem to suggest
8 doubt Of success, OF in any way dash the
hope or dampen the ardor Of the men who |
are to carry forward this great undertaking.
It were glorious thing to be able to
believe that in the progress Of the race that
advanced point had been at length reached,
when some, at least, Of the great interests
and most precious creations Of peaceful in
dustry, were put forever beyond the reach
Of the desolatins and destroying assaults Of
war. Commerce, one Of the most import
ant and civilizing Of human agencies has
been in all the past one Of the first victims
ofthc relentless hand Of war. The busy
actiyity and inderatiggab]e enterprise, which
in time Of peace are perpetually knitting
together distant people and hostile races,
hy myriad and endcaring cords Of mutual
interest and friendship, and under whose
benlgnant influence nations were coming
tc learn war no more, las heretofore had
all Us labor and care, its vast expenditures,
ard endless schemipg and planning to open
channels Of intercourse, and establish social
and business relations, rudely broken to
pieces and trampled in the. dust by tthe
onward march Of armies mfhe arbittfry
and ruthless mandates and DEGREES Of con
uuering generals. The struggle is still
made, ana often in vain, by the men TIL
most in advance OF the maxims and prac
ticcs Of barbarous ages, to secure trade AMI
commerce against the seizures and inter
ruptions Of belligcrents; and if possibls t;
elevate them into Il higher region. where
safe above the smoke and ruin Of war, au(
guarded By the irresistible moral opinion
of the world, they may continue through
all strife and confusion, to minister to tn
progrcss and well being Of the race. Bu
trade aud commerce are sill the first vic
tins in war, and it is surely one Of th'
cheering indications Of the tine, tha
sLrewd capitalists, and hard business men
least Of all, likely to be misled By an,
moral enthusiasm, OF wild visions Of q nea
ulillenium and universal peacc, should in til
midst OF bitter and bloody civil war, 6
calmly and deliberately about an cnte
prise, whose SUCCESS aud pcrmanence nlu
depcnd upon the establishment Of fir
and cuduripg peace: or else, must be alb
to hold charmed and consecTated life,
The midst Of all strife and civil conyu
aions.
The tribute which this convention, I
their coming together at this time, al
simply commencing their great enterpris
render to the superiority and excellence
our government ard the abiding confiden
they thus display, in its ability to ovt
come this atrocious rebellion, and upho
the Constitution and the Union, are wort
Of our deep admiration, and are Of i
n1ense value III this hour Of peril and 6
prchension. However, other men N
quake, and their hearts sink within thu
for fear, these cool and clear-hcaded NAL
gers, and friends Of the Pacific Railro:
speak loudly by their actions to the COZ
try that they believe the foundations S
stand fast, that the tempest shall blow or
nnd the sun Of the Union slime forth ag
in fuil-orbed splent!or on an undivided q
ocean-bound republic. Perhaps at no ii
since the IEion was established has an
rrt ssion Of the co:.I'!..Hcc OF the solid 8
saglcious men Of Ii. country in its peri
uity, been more needed than now. In I
crisis such an expression Of opinion
con,.sa positive element Of strength .
endurance, and it would be difficult
call together, in the whole land, body
likely to be swaycd by nything besi
common sense and practical sagacity Il
tie men who compose this convention.
Is not easy 10 think Of any more cmph
ana clcar-spoken uttcrance, Of abiding f
in the speedy triumph, and unbroken ]
petuity tf the Union, than these men m:
When right in the very turmoil and s!
ofto-day, they lay the foundations c
work to whose completion and success
Union is so essential. We doubt not
tic future will yinaicate their far reae1
sagacity and wisdom in undertaking
enterprise so bold snd stupendous;
justify their patriotic and noble conddt
in the enduring grandeur and power o1
Union.
t# hen the future historian n
about tile great pro-s1avery rebellion
will require all the energy Of the At
Saxon tongue to express the astonishu
indignation and contempt, with which
conduct towards the black man will
him. He will cite the past history oi
Own country against us, and tell in vi
ing periods how We shrank from tho i
mary disgrace Of armiug loyal neg
how ne went On for nearly two year;