The Portland daily press., 1865-09-14
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.

-.. .
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
THE New York Tribune says: ssThe one
practical achievement that we desire to see the
Administration Of President johnson accom-
piish, is the construction of railroad to the
Pacific Ocean. Mr. Lincoln gave US the Tele-
graph, now let Mr. johnson give us the steam
1t is. known to our readers that Congress mas
done its part and it now remains Tor 'ne PEG
pie to do theirs. There is no insuperabie OBJ
stacle in the way; no such uncertainties sur
round this enterprise as beset that of stretch,
10 ing the magnetic wire on the ped OF the ocean
from England to America, The way is clea-.
and all that is needed is enterprise, which oul
people surely possess in abundance. M :,
The Southern lines are being built on the
principle of the straightest and cheapest route
u between New York and San Francisco. But
it win be remembered that Congress has Gre
ated another corporation, known as the North
ern Pacific Railroad Company. This proposes
to run road from Chicago or St. Louis.
through Minnesota, the Territories Of Dakota.
Montana and idaho, and thence through Or
egon to the Pacific coast somewhere near Puget
Sound. Now the question comes up, which
the better route all things considerable
The New York Tribune thinks that CONNER
cial men will favor the northern route, and We
think SO too. The main argument of the com
mere al men, Is the prospect of drawing the
commerce of the East Indies and Of the Hud
son Bay Company to New York, that city be
= ing the central market of the American Con
E tinent. ss ,sq M id.,
- The Tribune is of the opinion that, witt
q steam running from Puget Sound to- Mex
York, and intermediate connections at differ
ent points on, the route, that city. would mon
opoize the trade Of British North America il
five years. That may be partially true. Blu
there are other aspects Of the subject whic
more Immediately interest the people of Port
q land and of Maine, and the Tribune an1des tgl
them. As a connection, between Europe an,
Asia, the Northern road offers many advanta
ges. Merchandise can be placed on ship-boarl
at Lake Superior, and thence, without break
ing bulk, be sent direct to Europe, or, as thu
~ tribune says: s.if the factors prefer anothe
port, they will find Portland nearer than an,
other Eastern port" and we may add, nearer
than any other port on the Shores Of the At
lantic. The Grand Trunk stands ready to tai
~ this Northern Pacific road wheneyerit is bull,
iaaaand bring its freight to one of the best hal
bors on the coast, both summer and winter.
We should be glad tosee this great northern
route connecting the Atlantic with the Pacif,
constructed, and the time may not be far dis
? tAnt when the great work viii be accomplish
ed. We have no doubt other lines will be es
tabiished across the continent. We may b
q quitssure Che people Of this country win moi
EOS all into lazy habits now the great war Is oyer
After 50 much excitement the American PEG
pie will notb be contelted to remain idle and in
different. Peace brings its conflicts as well a
war;. We are bound to 60 ahead on the higl'
a road Of progress. There il yet vast work t.
be done on this continent We beleve-an,.
- our belief is not founded on a spirit Of boast
- iagg-77that great future is opening up before
the American people.
Our recent war has not killed out the ener
oas gies Of the people, but en- the contrary it ha
D. given them new impulse, and awakened &
power which viii not-cannot, remain dol
mant. 1t viii rise and like true courage ~moun
.l with the OCCASION With one OF more rail
roads stretching across the continent, and tele
graph wires around the world, we may reason
ably prophecy that our Country is to become
50 the leading nation Of this globe Our terrific
rial extent. stretching from ocean to ocean.
and through SO many degrees Of latitude, thu
variety and fertility Of our soil, our mineral re
: sources, cur great rivers and majestic lakes,-
5 inland seas they may be called-our climatic
=, influences, all point to such a. consummatior
- in the course Of time. " E-ANA