The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-12
PROGRESS, THE LAW. MODERN
aAEIETY.

W. KNOW That inc AnglO-baNOn race Is
denominated by other and perhaps inferior
races, the most boastftil people on tho globe.
We shall not now set up any defence OF this
race, nor Of rs dominant qualities as they
are witnessed in the leading characteristics
of that portion of this race now inhabltlng
this continent.
We write In no boastful spirit referring to
what has been done, but shall we fail TO
mention with becoming national pride the
great advancement OF the American people
within the period OF a single decadei
Ten years ago We had no railroad across
the continent, and when 1t was proposed to
build one uniting the Atlantic and the Pa
Ci1c, many gentlemen known as wise and
practical thinkers, discarded the scheme as
utopian, and declared that II could not be done.
Capital, always proverblally cautious, looked
to all propositions for opening subscrip-
tons to stocks on this account with distrust,
and in answer 10 all solicitations OF this sort
which were pressed by the more sanguine,
their reply was, we do not sec Il. Where
can the money be ralsod, and how could we
expect any dividends as returns from such
chlmcrlcal Investments They saw more In
the Eric, in railways nearer home, In copper
stocks and cotton manufactures than In
Pacific railroad which 1t would take twenty
years to build, II Indeed 1t could ever be
built at all.
The road Is completed, and on Monday, as
all know, the last spike was driven amid tho
~ la ~ h.
and whom have we to thank for the consum-
nation of this gigantic work. Tho few men
who had tue courage, tho audacity-for We
may call It that-and the perseverance 10 20
ahead despite tho fearful odds which arrayed
Itself on every side against them. They
came to Congress, they persuaded, they lob.
bicdi In some cases 1t has been said they
bought their way along In order to secure
government subsidies they worked oyery-
where night and day determined to succeed
and they have succeeded, as men always do
who vow to win. If the end did not Justify
the means used to accomplish 1t In every In
stance, we must now pardon much, aud we
can afford to do so as we have the road. We
can well afford TO pardon much when so
much zeal and iudomitablc courage and will
achieves such ends-ends that will be OF such
signal benc1t to mankind and especially to
our own people.
1t Is said that the road Is very badly built,
and for a long distance the cars can make
only about four miles the hour. Suppose
this DC SO, and we are willing to grant that
itis-proyidod, nevertheless, that the trains
can accomplish this distance In safety-muoh
has been gained every way, and we can see
no reason why the company may not at an
carly day put this track In good running
order. AT any rate we are willing TO trust
men who have done so much, and believe
that they will do the balance, especially
when the perfect completion Of so great
work Is not only matter Of pride, but must
render the enterprise more profitable. Whom
We see SO much energy and enterprise In the
beginning and In the prosecution of mighty
undertaking up to this time, we arc willing to
believe that there are no obstacles too great to
be surmouuted, no difficulties that cannot be,
and will not be overcome.
SO much then with respect to this railway
and It's status, up TO this day. The Atlantic
and Pacific oceans join hands, so to speak,
across the.contlnent. What next ! We 20
TO the Pacific slope. Shall we stop there
VIII the universal Yankee nation DO content
10 stop there, having conquered by peaceful
means this New World, and sit down and cry
because there are not more worlds to be con-
Huered. Not at all. It will say-this ruling
race OF the world wlll-let us build shipS and