The union Democrat., 1869-05-15
The Railroad Qncsiion.

Mr. EDIroR.-Let US take brief retro
spect of the past aud notice the swift advance
of our State toward the important niche she
is destined to hold in future. and endeavor to
find the relative position of Tuolumne county
in the grand march. Afew years ago this
western coast was but comparatively will
derness, save that few missions were erect
ed, few settlers scattered here and there,
and an almost primevat silence reigned,
which was only disturbed ty the roar of
ocean winds, the bowling Of wolves, the
chants of friars, and the monotonous notes of
the reed pipe Of the aborigines.
The discovery of gold rolled in mighty
tide that swept away the empire of silence
and laid down the foundation OF an active and
living civilization. New adventurers spread
to all quarters in various pursuits, great
cities sprang up as by magic. and all the
train of benifcent civilization flowed in.
Science fell to work with her wonders, and
the genius of man commeEced to webb the
entire coast with useful arts. Learning
raised her temples, and eloquence mounted
her throne The crowded cities threw of
tories. and these to parts more remote-in
time to fill the fu.l area of our grand con-
tinent. Progressing to this day, we find the
great highway completed and the transit to
and fro commenced to continue for ages TO
come. To the South also. and through Mex
leo the iron horse is destined to plough his
wav, and to send forth his loud shrll and
thunder DER the desert wastes, summoning
them to Weld their tributes and hidden stores
conouering era. Wherever he drives his
flaming chariot there trade and travel walk
hand in hand With this advance our county
is destined to move in some relative capacity.
She will either march with the front or fall
to the rear, ard it would be extremely NOR
tifvinc 10 see her outstripped bv other coun-
ties with less means and resources. Bear in
mind that within few years these mountain
slopes will be clothed in all that generous
climate, and soil and a varied industry can
furnish. Geld will be torn from these hills
when our children wear grey hairs. Indeed.
our bitches for the supply of water have
scarcely begun their mission; placer mining
will merge into farming and for the purpose
of irrigation all the water in the Stanislaus
and Tuolumne rivers will be in demand !;
hence il is that railroad is needed for Tuol-
umne TO assume AMI hold her rank with hon
or. and il we neglect to build one with pres
ent advantages, wiser generation will
with less, and posterity will look back with
mingled surprise and contempt at our apa-
thv, and wonder why we cut our sinews in
strength.
We spend thousands Of dollars iu trifiing
political matters for the benefit of few-why
not devote q portion to railroad that will
benefit all :? The greatest good to the greatest
number" is solid doctrine and sound logic.
Blessings accrue to a people who adventure
their means on worthy objects, but to squan-
der them upon things that are comparatively
! insignificant evinces spirit that prostitutes
beni6cent liberty to a degenerate license.
| However it is we'll to look the subject square
| in the face with all its advantages and unfa-
vorable features, ncr should we be too highly
ela,ed at the one. nor discouraged at the
other. Its advantages all concede, and We
Justly apprehend the difficulties, but d prop
er appliance of labor and means, combined
with unity of purpose will overcome all OBJ
stacles and level all the mountains in the way.
There should be one aim, and those having
money give money. those who labor give Ia.
Dor, and with the assurance that our lumber
merchants offer to furnish all the ties free 70
the county line. we ought TO build the road
in a short time, and by so doing keep pace
with the progress of the age True. it is a
work of too great magnitude fur single
county to undertake, but If it he shown tha,
other counties will be benefited. and they
combine, the difficulty becomes correspond
ingly less. Now, Calaveras. Mariposa. Merced
with Stanislaus county contiguous. and or
| the line of the route must necessarily expert
ence the happy results Of proximity, anc
hence IL belongs to them to give a strapv ha nd
to the work propnr,ionate to the benefits the,
/ would receive. With the exception of a few
the residents of Tuolumne manifest a willirs
spirit IN respect to the railroad interest, and