The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-23
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
RDIToBIAL OPINIONS OF THR LEADING JoURNAIs
UPoN CURRENT ToPICs-CoNPILED EVERY
DAT RoR FHR EVENING TELEGRAPH.
m. Nor,b.rn Paelnc railway.

: VVbiIe the Central Pacific and Union racine
nailroad Companies are pushing on their
noads both from the eastern and western
Sooints of departure, with amazing energy and
Suocess the Northern Company has as yet
Hone little more than enlighten the country on
The comparative advantages of its route over
any other The reason is plain. The former
has a large Government subsidy, loan Of
United States credit, while the latter has only
q simple land grant. These roads lie at all
points nearly six hundred miles apart, and,
for local trade, could never be rivals. If there
be any jealousy between them, it is because
he Northern road, on account of its shorter
distance and easier grades, must eventually
be the great highway Of international COM
merce between Europe and Asia, and between
Asia and our Atlantic seaboard. But we do
not propose to discuss the relative prospects
of the roads from any point of view.
The vast Importance of either to the solid
and permanent growth of the Union, to its
commercial prosperity and its defensive
strength, is beyond any possible estimate. In
the midst Of the general satisfaction which
halls the rapid construction Of the one, we
simply desire to call attention to the grand re-
sources which the other is likely to command
Ito the stupendous empire in extent and in
natural wealth which it is destined to develop.
IN the success of the latter enterprise, New
York and New England have deep interest,
worthy of their most practical consideration.
The commercial supremacy of the city OF New
York can never, of course be disturbed, but
1t may be enhanced; and it seems perfectly
evident that, should the trade of Asia and the
great Northwest be poured into the lakes which
wash the northern boundary of the State,
whatever is broken in bulk, or distributed to
the Atlantic States, will be drawn of to the
advantage of this metropolis.
The Company is authorized to build road
from the head of Lake Superior on a line
north Of the fOrty-fifth degree of north latitude
10 Puget's Sound, throwing off branch down
the Columbia Valley to Portland, Oregon,
from point on the main line less than 300
miles from its western terminus. This is not
only the shortest route across the continent,
connecting lines of water communication, but
ats termini are nearer, the one to Europe, and
the other to Asia, than those of any other.
Seattle, at the head of Puget's Sound, is one
of the finest and safest harbors on the globe,
with broad and deep channel to the ocean.
IN the distances to Amoor, Shanghai, Canton,
and Calcutta, Seattle has an average advan-
9age of 260 miles. Besides, the prevailing
winds of the Pacific compel all sailing vessels
TO enter the Straits of Fuca; and thus, for
them, Seattle has practically an advantage of
700 miles. Seattle is three hundred miles
nearer to Chicago by the Northern route than
San Francisco by the Central; Or if we COM
pare distances to the commencement of lake
navigation, at the heads of Lakes Michigan
and Superior respectively, the difference is
more than 700 miles in favor of the Northern
route.
But is this route between termini so much
nearer to each other, and so much better stu
ated with regard to the great commercial
points of both hemispheres than those of any
other, entirely practicable We no longer
PROFOUND the question in doubt, nor attemptto
solve it upon imperfect data. United States
surveyors, explorers, travellers, and scientific
men unite, so far as we are able to learn, in
declaring it not only practicable, but compa-
lively easy and desirable. Leaving the shores
81 of Lake Superior, it will pass for 1910 miles,
to the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains,
through fertile and beautiful country, every
Square mile of which will sustain dense popu
1ation, producing wheat, rye, corn, barley,
potatoes, and grass, of superior quality, and
in great abundance. Here the mountains are
crossed at an elevation of $500 feet less than OF
the Central. Even on this mountainous
section, there is much fine timber ant
excellent wheat lands, while the grade:
are not more difficult than some o
those on the Baltimore and Ohio. Here tn,
mountains are so low that the miner
have actually conducted the waters OF the Mis-
souri, across the divide in little bitches, throug
the Cascade Range, just east of the Sound
which it was feared might prove seriou
obstacle. The recent accurate surveys hav
developed three passes, either OF which IS en-
1irely feasible, and the summit OF the middle
or Snoqualmie Pass, is but 5000 feet above tn
sea. The snow on these uplands, unlike thos
on the same range few hundred miles furthe
south, are never more than two and ha
feet deep. They do not fall soft, and pac
hard, but dry and light, presenting no diff
Guilty to the snow-plough. Grand lines
railroad are now in operation in various part
of the world where the SHOWS are heavie
and the climate far more severe than upo
this. From point on a line with Fort l.;
xamie to the Pacific, nature has provided tn
tepid winds of the ocean, and number
less boiling springs, which make the atmC
sphere milder and warmer than it is eigl
or ten degrees further south. This roa
passes through no vast sage-plains or sand
deserts, but through a country everywheI
propitious, everywhere inviting to either til
grain producer or the stock raiser, whose mos
nngenial portions sustain animals by winte
npon grass alone. II is intersected in fou
great navigable rivers. 1t abOunds in beaut
ful lakes, and streams of pure water, teemin
with tsh and wild fowl. When we add to tn
Landscape grandeur OF these boundless an
iuxurant plains, agreeably diversified wit
water WOOD, and hill, the prOdigal yield
iood 1or man and beast which is there prt
missed TO the settler, 1t would seem that in 4
more charming home.
When this road strikes the Red river of III
North in the neighborhood of Fort Aharcron
bic, it will receive the trade of that straon
which flows north into Lake Winnipeg
1ndx of xyafar Iar0a Talxa .ol