The New York herald., 1869-05-20
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
From Omaha 70 ChicagO-Induccments 70
Emigrants-Freisht and Passenger Traffic
Summary-C0ncludIng Remarks.

CHICAGO, May II, 1859.
Although Omaha Ia generally considered the COM
meneement, or the end-if you are coming eastward
across the Continent-of the overland route II Ii
one OF the terminal points Of the Union Pacific Rail
road prefer to end the story at this place. miles
iurther on, In order to draw comparisons and TO give
tue traveler start from the centre OF civilization,
as the ctzens or this vicinity consider their city In
tne nrst place. do not think the western portion Of
the chicago and Northwestern Railroad particle bet
ter than some portions Of the Pacific and not haH a.
good as 800 miles Of the latter west of Omaha. From
Council BUNS on the east bank OF the Missouri
river to Clinton, where you cross the Mississippi,
1t Is exceedingly rough but that portion Is new and
it will be little time yet before rendered equal
10 the last $50 miles, or from Clinton to Chicago
Until now this road has been the main highway to
the far West but the continuation OF the Rock
Island Road gives US another channel of communi-
cation to Council Blufs, so that travellers now
have choice OF two roads, both OF which are des-
tined TO be first class in every respect
You fully realize the change OF situation-the ne
turn to civilization as IL were-when you leave
Council Bluffs and get few miles into the country.
The farms and farmhOuses have an Eastern look; the
farmers look differently to those you meet about
the stations. You appear to have parted from the
rough looking characters that hang about the trains
west OF Omaha whenever stop was made; your
filthy fellow passengers have thinned OUT their dirty
blankets and 's!x shooters' gone, and you seem
to breathe an atmosphere purer than when such
gang OF rough uncouth looking subjects ostled you at
every turn. True, there was something interesting
about them after all; they were in a manner, curl
osities but you parted with them without regret,
and considered your person and pocketbook far
safer when the last one took his departure.
There is between Council Bluffs and Chicago much
prairie land that looks but little di fferent from
the plains, and 1t is no difficult matter for you to
imagine yourself still the latter. The scarcity OF
timber however, Is the only reason why so much OF
it remains not settled upon, but Yankee ingenuity
Will some day overcome this difficulty, for land so
rich must Sa sooner or a later: md @ purchasers
uvation, as 1t cannot long remain as 1t Is.
We are spreading out too fast; we need more room,
farms ere long that Will add much to the agricu-
tural wealth OF the country or course as you leave
this section and approach Chicago everything in the
way OF land appears under cultivation, and there is
every indication that we have reached at last a
wealthy and prosperous district.
The journey here from Omaha occupies about
twenty-six hours and the ride was not unpleasant,
for you find all the comforts to be found on any
good road In these days OF fast travel
good stations, fair meals and sleeping cars all
The way-and you wind up me long trip with
less fatigue than one imagines when all the annoy
ances and discOmforts are thought OF. Taking the
entire trip into consideration, think it success
even if ii had some OF the Obstructlons liable on ali
routes OF travel hardly completed and entirely with
out organization on some portions, and l have no
doubt that before SIX months 1t will become the great
and between China and Japan and Europe. 1t
should be the aim to make it SO quick possible.
and have no doubt that bOtn companies will strive
to bring II about at the earliest possiDie moment
WESTERN EMIGRATION.
1t Is the intention, understand, to put emigrant
fares so low as to induce all who proceeding TO
the far West to settle to take TINS lt viii be
great advantage TO this class, for then they Will IN
many cases be landed almost at the very section they
may Intend locating upon. Excellent emlgrant cars
are oeng provded @ ana ia little while @ tn9se VINO
themselves to the new route, and will find them
selves, IN far less time and with lar less
trouble, near the haven where they would
be. Emigrants should be informed that all
our Pacific coast desires ana invites emigration
OF the right NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. people whose inten-
Ton it Is 10 MAKE their homes there and TO till the
soil and build up wealth for themselves and the
country; men with willing hearts and STRONG arms
who will go to work and assist in developing the re-
sources OF the country To all these open arms and
an extended and hearty welcome is guaranteed.
There Is plenty OF land to be had and OF the right
kind, ali over California and Oregon Washington
Territory presents It's forests OF the finest timber
IN the world, and indeed all west OF the Sierra Ne
vada mountains Is one vast field that offers every
inducement to the new settler TO make his home
raised In a shorter space Of time; nowhere is the
land made ready easier TO receive the seed and TO
produce than on our Pacific slope. Indeed no point
OF the United States presents to-day more favor
able locality for the right kind OF emigration than
the Pacific Railroad viii furnish the means OF bring
ing such people to that country who have hereto
lore Deen debarred from gong Dy reason OF the want
and great railroad and whereby Its importance
Will be made fully manifest. A few years WILL be-
yond all doubt witness the tide emigration fow-
ing steadily over the great highway and country
being rapidly settled and placed under cultivation,
that without 1t would have remained for long time
a comparative wilderness.
FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS.
/ doubt If the through freight will ever, or
not for a long time, produce any revenue to the
company. ] cannot see how 1t can possibly COM
pete with the steamers in that respect; for
It Is very evident that freight cannot be carried
at one and half cents pound and one dollar
and half foot, both in coin is now the case
xrrf no gfaan, rfo Dann IVA, ~
carried through In half the time 1t would not COM
pensate for the additional charges, except ON such
tropics with safety The fruits Of California will be
sent In TINS way Of course, and possibly silks, &C.,
west OF the Rocky Mountains, and Utce versa, will
or can be sent by rail- think very doubtful. On the
Central road local freight east to Echo, If White
but on the Union road west or Omaha /
cannot see when what possible revenue there
Is to be derived from 1t. Time may make difrer-
ence, and l wait anxiously for the line TO be in
working order to see how 1t will "pan out;" and If
IL can be any different from what have said il is
subject that only surmlse about at present,
and which must remain in the dark until lalr trial
with passengers 1t win be dilYerent for the bulk
OF first and second class VIII take this route be-
yond all doubt especially when the speed
Is increased, fares decreased and the road
ready for safe and comfortable passage. From
this source and the carriage OF mails the principal
or two Will be necessary TO determine what the re-
turn Will be- for Will require at least that period
via the Isthmus that TO leave the Old route Will
require some persuasion. But we have the trans.
continental railroad, which is the great point gained,
and 1t Will be a singular thing If 1t Is not made a
paying Institution I'm the future. Yankee enterprise
and energy which Is almost able to draw blood
from q stone, will maze the great road
pay for ITSELF The desert will be made
TO produce something; the rivers Will be found TO
be Of some use, when they are found; the prairies
will be turned TO profit, ana 1t will be managed,
some way or another, to make the entire route OF
use. | speak thus confidently because so many simi
lar projects that appeared wild ut first have been
and made TO pay afterwards; and al
though now II may look impossible to do anything
with the greater part OF the country through which
the Pacific Railroad passes, time Will probably dis
close the fact that IL Is worth something capable
OF being made profitable to greater orlesser degree.
CONCLUSION.
1 have endeavored TO give an account OF the
great overland route In O manner 10 render lt
plain and easily understood. have refrained from
any establishment whatever, and know that i'm
plict reliance can be placed upon all the descrip-