The Portland daily press., 1867-06-22
The Contemplated western Kai,ro,s.

The Contemplated Western RniIroad.
In all great enterprises it is necessary to
have substantial base. And now what kind
of base has this contemplated railway? Is i,
one corresponding with tho gigantic proper
tions of the enterprise? Let us tako a calm
| and dspassionate view of these questions
| What is this base and where is it? We an
swer, that part of the Atlantic ocean that
forms Casco Bay and Portland harbor This is
the natural base of the contemplated route Now
| i; it such base as will justify the building u
| this railroad and the opening of this great ave
| nue. to the teeming West? We think this
question may justly receive an affirmative an
| swer. Our firm conviction is, that Portland
has the best harbOr on the Atlantic coast A
very large fleet of vessels can ride at anchor
with perfect safety in these waters, and this at
all seasons of the year. Vessels of the largest
kind can find the best of accommodations in
this harbor. We believe all sea captains con-
cur in their testimony to establish this fact
The water is deep enough to float any vessel
and sufficiently land-locked to insure safety in
the most violent storms. So much has nature
done in forming this base of operations. And
now what has art done? A survey of the
wharves about. the Grand Trunk depot will
answer that question to the satisfaction of ev-
cry ones mind who examines them. We ven
ture the opinion that nowhere on the Atlantic
coast are there such accommodations for the easy
trans-shipment of goods of every description as
these wharves afford. We believe every one
who views these premises will confirm our
statement All sea7going men who have an
ehored their vessels in our harbor and done
business at our wharves unite in giving the
same testimony. These important facts are so
firmly established that they need no further
proof -.I. 1larH .a.. E..,. & a...
Now and here all things are ready, and O
good base is formed whose dimensions cores
pond with the magnitude Of the projected en-
terprise; so that we need not trouble ourselves
about these matters. Nature has nobly done
her part, and art has added to it and made it
available for commercial purposes. Here is a
a most admirable beginning and it beckons us
on to nobler enterprises. These privileges
must be taken advantage of, and we see no
other way to do it than TO build rail
way which shall pour. upon our spacious
wharves the immense products of the teeming
West which are increasing every year snd seek
ing for the more extended markets Of the
world Portland has very deep interest il.
these matters-vastly deeper than many dream
of in their philosophy.
If this contena plated raii,~"y . eNiis up 1he
valley of the Saco river, through the "Notch"
and across New Hampshire and northern Ver
mont to connect with the Vermont Central,
the Ogdensburg road and lake navigation to
Chicago, and thence to the West and Pacific
coast, no man can now calculate the advan-
tages it would be to the city OF Portland. We
might so further and uot overleap the bounds
OF probable conjecture, nor OF truth itself, and
say that it depends ON The building of this
railway whether Portland shall become great
city OF not. True, if it is never built, Portland
may become flourishirg city, but its growth
and prosperity must come, in great degree,
from manufacturing industry. We confess
suehis a healthy and substantial growth, but
it will then need commerce and trade to give
it impulse and force and to extend its branch
eS. Us .,i fs...l r.... ,,.t l..t ..--..,. .f
The first impulse trade and traffic would
feel in this city from the opening of this ave-
nue. would be given by the people CT New
lldhpSiuGc anu CTluOut, WHO NOuiu COilt
here with the products of their farms and,
their lumber and exchange them for fish, salt,
| molasses, &C. The former trade before rail-
loads were built would be resumed; but on a
much larger scale, and Portland merchants
would again greet their friends from the Gran
ito and Green Mountain States. This would
soon be followed by trade coming from more
distant quarters, and our spacious docks
would be covered with the products OF the
West, either seeking an exchange here, or a
European market. Our readers may depend
upon it we do not exaggerate nor over-rare
this traffic. The more the subject is consider
ed the more important it grows. Public opin-
ion has not yet risen to the magnitude of this
enterprise, nor to q full comprehension of its
Importance. But the day is close at hand
when the question will be viewed in all its va
riOus aspects, and its importance clearly seen,
When that hour comes strong impulse will
be given to the movement, and the work will
ere long be accomplished. Gta. tiat ..
[ What we have said above relates to he com
| mercial interests of this city and the country
| through which the railway will pass. But
there is another aspect of the case which is moi
without its value and use. We allude to plea
\ sure travel, which increases evely year and is
seeking new routes Such travel is an impor
tant item in railroad accounts, and we hesitate
not to say that this road through the Notch
would afford some of the grandest scenes, tho
sublimest views and the most beautiful land
scapes to be fonnd on any railway on this con
tinent Pleasure travel from all sections o
our country and from foreign elimes would
seek this route, and drop into its Golfers large
amounts of money This is consideration
which is very encouraging to those who may
furnish the means to build it. Business ant
| travellers for pleasure would make this pay
ing road. The variety of scenery on this rout'
surpasses that on any other, and the lovers o
nature and of her works would not be long il
finding it out. ttif u'sH 5H Ir.i H.G.
In any view we take of this subject we Sc
nothing but encouragement to goOn with tb
work We are quite sure that the more our cit
izens and the people on the route think Of thi
matter, the more its importance will loon
up before them. We do not over-estmat
its advantages. The half has not yet beeu tol,
The subject must not rest, and rest it will moi
for our city and n large tract of country al
| deeply interested in it. The ball will be KEEP
in motion until the great work is accomplish
| cd, and when it is done, those who started j
and those who gave it material aid, will 10
soon be forgotten. The people always remem
ber their benefactors. ..-
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