New-York tribune., 1869-01-20

question lies In eA'ehuihg roads, WIN wy"
broad belts of self-protecting settlements 10 the
Pacific. They will reduce our standing army Doth
bv leaving MS far fewer posts to guard, and by
enabling us TO throw troops from one point to another
far more oxpeditiously and cheaply than now. The
saving in this respect every year after the compile
on of three roads will be far more than the interest
upon all bonds issued in their aid if Northern and
Southern line shall receive the same aid as that now
being extended to the Central.
G. Tho foreign commerce Of China is already
sj00OOo,OoO The growing intimacy OF that ancient
empre with the modern nations. and the system OF
RAILWAYS which must soon thread it, viii swell tho
amount enormously year by year. There is no other
erch nrize in the commercial world. All the leading
nations are reaching for il. The Emperor OF Russia
is buidng railway TO the frontier Of China Great
Britain is agtating the question of extending her
India railway system to the Chinese border a
French company, after working ten years and e1-
nepding slOOOC00O0, has nearly completed a canal
across the Isbmus of Suez shortening bymany thou-
sands OF miles the old sailing routes from Europe 10
Asia.
Until very lately our commerce with China has
been altogether One-sided We have bought teas
and silks and paid for them in gold and silver WIN
the exception of sending q few cotton ana wooieh
goods and Connecticut clocks. But the Establish
ment of the Pacific Mail line Of steamers from san
Francisco to Hong Kong has developed the unex-
ncc+ed fact that re are 10 supply the Chinese Emppf
MIN brea9s.u6s and thus check our drain of bullion
in that direction. The Chinese Empire contains
400 1000 of people--almost one-hat OF the whOie
human race We must open the MISSISSIPPI 'alley
and our great Northern aud Southern belts, adapted
10 wheat through 10 the Pacific. We must supply
China, toe, withmachinery, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Al. NtnF
and with Yankee notions. We have the position
and resources to do this We possess also the
great advantage that the Chinese Ike Amer
lean merchants far better than Lnghsh
and though moro Of the English are now settled III
Hong X NJ and Shanghai, the numbers and business
of tie Americans are gaining year by year Inc Duld
ing up of great Chinese commercial houses in San
Francisco, too is opening and preparing the way ior
a vast Chinese trade in America.
On the other hand we want to do the carrying
trade for the world-to transport across our conti
ncnt the silks. and other light costly articles on
their way from China and Japan to Europe. In
word we want to command the trade Of the East for
which the different European nations have been
striving ever since the Middle Ages, and which has
enriched successivcy every people obtaining 1t for
the time. IL is within our grasp if we improve the
facilities nature has given us But il Is idle to eN-
pect that one snglc-tack railway and that perhaps
liable TO interruptions in Winter. will give us the
commanding position we ought TO have. Three trans
continental lines are needed and the sooner the bet
ter.
or course Northern and Southern road should not
be endowed recl;lessly or extrayaganty. Congress
should act cautiously and prudently, ayailing itself
OF an that experience has taught the Central line
anl adopting that plan Of extending the public aid
whatever il may be- which European and Amerl-
can railway history shows to be the safest
spcedicst. and most economical. IL should exact
snch guarantees rs will protect the public in
terest, giving aid only 10 companies OF sound
character ard only TO such an extent as may be
needful 10 insure the construction Of the roads and
taking adequate security for he Tropr building Of he
lines and tie Ultimate repayment Of ne loans. But the
real question is not whether can afford TO give
such aid; it is Cen ne afford 70 iciihholdh ~ Can
father afford 10 refrain f0m educating his children
because his house "a mort gagcdi Can farmer
afford 20 leave his fields Idle through The Summer on
the ground that running in debt for seed wheat will
swell hIs labiItiesT II.