The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-11

intelligent and unwavering support.
Gratifying Progress OF the Pacific Rail-
road.
IT is gratifying to observe the rapidity with
which the two eastern branches OF the Pacific
Railroad are being cons ructed. since the passage
of the act OF Congress alo wing the Kansas branch
to run directly west from Fort r ley, by way of
the Smoky Hill valley, generous rivalry has
sprung up between that and the Nebraska
branch, which bids fair to ma prially hasten the
building of both. The Nebraska branch runs
directly west from Omaha, and is already in
working order for one hundred and sxty-three
miles from that point, reaching now to within
twenty.eight miles OF Fort Kearney. This line
is prosecuted by the New York, Boston, and
Chicago railroad interests, and has some Of the
shreNdest and most energetic railroad men IN
the country connected with It. Its construction
has been very rapid, and the line win be COM
pleted TO Fort Kearney by the 1st of September.
The Kansas line, running west from Kansas
City, at the mouth OF the Kansas river, where 1t
connects with the Pacific Railroad Of Miss >uri,
is all eady completed TO within short distance
OF Font Riley. This ne Is controlled by the st.
LOUIS, Cincinnati P,ttsburg, and Philadelphia
RAILROAD interests. 1t h the advantage of the
Nebraska line in having a more central and
direct route enabling it to control the Colorado
and New Mexican trade, and in having through
connection with the railroad routes east of the
Missouri and Mississippi. The Nebraska route
is as vet, without eastern railroad connection,
goods and passengers for that route having TO
60 ~ the Missouri river by steamboat from st.
Joseph, or having to cross the western part of
hv ot, A roilrooI 10 hn ham
rapidly constructed from Des Moines through
western Iowa, 10 connect at Omaha with the
Pacific line, and when that shall have been COM
pleted, the NeDrdoka branch will have full
Eastern connection.
The rapid progress Of these lines is bringing
Colorado, New Mexico, U ah, etc, daily nearer
and nearer to Eastern civilization. BAYARD
TAYLOR saws in q recent letter from Denver,
that the trip between that place and Fort Riley
will soon be male ID three days, and between
Denver and st. Louis in tour The saving, too,
in time and expense IN the transportation Of
machinery Tor the mines, goods for the mer-
chants, and the whole vast trade of the plains
will constantly oecome greaGer aud greater.
These railroads are also extending the settle.
ments OF the frontier further west. The "great
American desert" which u'ed 10 fig ire so
largely on our school maps, has for years beeh
growing less and less extensive. Over its "ard
wastes" millions or buffalo, antelope, and Other
wild game are constantly roaming, and finding
abundant pasturage. Now an OK or a COW can
live wherever a buffalo can; and we look TO see
at no distant day, the whole vast interior, from
the Missouri river 10 the Rocky Mountain
occupied by civilized men. 1t will constitute
the great pastoral region of the United St&tes
over which will roam locks and herds rivaling
in number those OF tine ancient East.
Railroads are the eleat crvllizeIs of our day.
Common schools, Churches, settled and orderly
communities, all follow in their tram. The
Pacific Railroad VIII not only connect the
Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, and subs 3rve
the interests of a continental commerce, b 1t it
will also found villages and cities aud st ties
throughout the hitherto silent and unpeOplei
wastes OF the interior Of our national domain.
Long before 1t is finished, Nebraska and Colo
RADIO and Utah will have been admitted, as
States into the Union, and will thus bind in
more enduring bonds the West to the East.
Hasten on the GOOD work, then, and may the
shllll screeCh OF the locomotive soon startle the
soitudes OF the great mounta MS!