The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-05
THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD

The attempt to connect the Atlantic and
the Pacific by continuous railroad is one
Of the grandest enterprises Of the age, and
the more we have contemplated this gi-
gantic work, now in progress, the more
marvellous has the undertaking appeared.
When we consider the mountain ranges
that stand midway in the line Of this road
the valleys to be filled up, the immense
excavations to be made, huge rock forma-
tions TO be removed, and the almost in
surmountable difficulties to be overcome
we pause in wonder at the temerity Of
those who have embarked in this enterprise,
and we look on with perfect admiration
when we consider the skill and perfection
Of modern engineering that is brought
into requisition. How surprisingly won
derful is all this adaptation Of science to
the practical uses Of life Literally, in
the construction Of this road, "the crooked
places are made straight and the rough
places smooth" and a highway is cast up
for the nations"
The main line OF this road will run from
Omaha, Nebraska to Sacramento, Cali
fornia Great energy and skill is now
being displayed, and the work OF construc.
tion is progressing finely. On the western
side, almost the entire distance from San
Francisco, the road is in running order to
the Sierra Nevada. From the eastern side
the road is nearly completed to Denver,
which it will pass about one hundred and
fifty miles to the north, but will reach this
city by means Of branch. Within the
short period Of three or four years these
two lines of railway will form junction
on the plains of Utah and we may safely
proclaim to the world then that the Pacific
and Atlantic oceans have joined hands
What an achievement, and what people
who thus demonstrate their capacity to
conquer all seeming difficulties! Just al
this time we are meeting with little tenn.
porary check in the shape Of spring floods
in the valley Of the Platte, but this is no
more than all enterprises OF the kind are
liable to. The Indians, also, by their war
like movements, are interfering somewhat
with the progress of this work But it is
not in the power Of the savages, nor of the
elements, nor of the natural formation Of
the country to prevent the complete con-
struction of this road The work is re-
solved upon anu II will be consummated.
San Francisco, 81. Louis Washington, New
York city, Philadelphia, Boston, and all
important points throughout our broad
land will soon be connected by rail, and
then with the Atlantic coast and the Pa
cItc coast on both sides Of North America,
who shall dispute our power to govern a |
continent?
When all this shall have been accom-
pllshed, the piddling politicians Of to-day,
who oppose the Russian treaty will sing
small.
A Western exchange says, respecting |
this great enterprise, that General Robin. |
son, of Allegheny, was the first Anglo. |
Saxon male child born west of the Ohio.
Ills stately mansion in the heart Of mo
city occupies the site Of his FAITH, loo
cabin. He aourishes in a Vi. ,orons ia
age. 1t is marvellous to til nv sSSat III ths
development Of popul'' ,;on wealth. and
t CO. Tor between the Allegheny river and
life Of This n TTa'' Aus happened during the
70 he nro ~" =. This prodigy mounts almost
M COM r'' PORTIONS Of miracle There is
lido .terpart to it to be found in the
' Of time. God speed the Union Pacific
railroad!
To all this we respond most heartily,
and we are confident that all the people
will say amen.