Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-05-14
FROM THE ATLANTIC TO TIE
PACIFIC.


Monday, May 10Th ] lS63 marks the most
important epoch in modern civilization.
The completion Of the Pacific Railroad is
the event Of the age. Il makes the crown
ing triumph of modern civilization and
science and begins areyoIution 10 the com
merce Of the world. Beside it the building
Of the Appian way, the Pyramids, the Chi
nese wall or any other similar event in past
ages sinks into iusiguifcance. No useless
labor. no vain ambition, no selfish exclusion
here. The promotion Of human welfare and
the advancement of human civilization are
its chief aims. Its iron bands now bind
the East and the West aud link ocean to
ocean. The future highway Of the nations
here all the nationalities Of earth shall meet
and mingle. Built and managed in the
interest of all mankind. across continent
dedicated to civil and religious liberty, in
which the downtrodden aad oppressed of
every cline may find a free ana happy
home, its influence on the welfare Of the
human race Is beyond calculation By il
the course of the worlds commerce viii be
changed and the wealth that for centurics
has been poured into the commercial centres
Of the old world VIII find its way to the new,
and New York, Philadelphia and San Fran
cisco viii become the great marts of the
world. In these latter days the widest
marvels of past ages have been so frequent
ly surpassed by the actual achievements Of
the present that we have almost ceased to
attempt forecas;ing the great results that
must Of necessity follow such marvellous
achievements as this. America seems. con-
tinually to astound the world with her pro,
digious performances. The laying Of the
Atlantic Cable though a most wonderful
feat, accomplished by the intelligence anL
energy Of one Of our own citizens was soon
forgotten in the fearful din Of the most ter
rife war ever recorded in history. In the
midst ofa struggle io which all the world
declared the nation hopelessly lost vas in
augurated the most stupenlous industrial
and commercial enterprise ever dreamed Of
IN the worlds history. to be carried to com
pletlon IN much less time Than The most san
guine had hoped and that at the very mo-
ment when all the world but ourselves be
Ecyed our whole nation irrcvoelbIy bank
rupted. What shall come next to siartle,
and surprise2 OF certainty great things
are in store for Us as nation. Between
the crowded and oyerfo wing nations of both
the eastern and western portions Of the old
world, not only their wealth of gold and
commerce, but their oye5aowing population
Will pour in upon rs beyond all previous
experience or expectation. Taeiahabitan-s
Of every land and cline will east their lot
with us ana take up their abode in our
midst What WI be the result ofthis ming
ling Of all nations, all religious, all classes
and conditions of men, none can foreiell
forthree hundred years Europe has poured
upon our shores, men of every race. class
and condition. To this continually iuerea.,
ing stream the distant orient hailiug as
through the golden gate at the west has al
ready begun to pour 10 upon US an ever IN
cFeasing tide of her strange children. Yer
ny the spectacle is such a one as the world
has never seen. Human wisdom may not
divine its results, but that they viii be mar
vellous none pretend to doubt or deny.
Two thingo however seem certain. First
the English language viii become universal,
aud second, the English speaking race Of our
own country viii become the controliro
power Of the world. Are we prepared for
It, IFaiy great destiny is before u-. Are
we prepared for, OF equal to its responsible
itics?