The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-04-16

enormous dividend and surplus has accrued 70
this Credit Mcbilier by taking contracts TO build
sections Of the Union Paci6c Railruad. -
The Memphis and II Paso Pacific Railroad
obtained charter previous to the brcaldng up
OF the rebellion to build road across the conti-
nent, without subsidies Of any kind and oonsid-
cred themselves fortunate in securing such q
charter. Therefore by this Pacific road 1.-THE
Central and UniOn) the government stands a
good chance to lose eighty or hundred million
Of dollars and unless some action Is taken IN
the premise, It probably win. The Memphis q
Fl Paso company had constructed some portion
Of their road, purchased iron, and had made ar
rangements to prosecute the work vigorously
when the civil war broke out and they were
therefore. without any fault Of their own, OBJ
liged TO suspend work and forfeited their char
ter. This company asked the last Congress to
repew their charter, but II was not done. VI
course II Is not for the interest Of the Union and
the Central TO have other roads TO compete with,
but IL certainly Is for the interest Of the public
and such road is needed and We hope that at
the next session Of Congress, its charters will
be renewed.
The route proposed by the Memphis and El
Paso road is most desirable one, and IL Is said
that during the whole year, flowers would be in
bloom along its entire route. This, when taken
into consideration that the Central was Obliged
to cover the track for twenty-seyen miles to pro-
tect II from the great accumulation OF snow,
would make 1t a very desirable route. We do
not wish to say anything in regard to the large
subsidies granted 10 these two branches, Gen.
tral and Union, as far as the mistaken views
were concerned as to the cost Of said road. but
one thing II does show and that Is, most won
derful ignorance upon the part Of the engineer
who surveyed these roads, or else some compile
ity. But aside from all this we think the gov
eminent has, in aiding these two roads, made q
good investment. The road will be constructed
infive years, otherwise Il would have taken ten.
But there Is higher view still to be taken OF
the great national enterprise, that Is, its rela-
ton TO the future Of our country. IL sa TACT
that what brought civil war in ourcountry was,
that the two sections, North and South, had
separate interests; the South slave labor, the
North free labor, and the result was collision
Of these two antagonastic elements. There Is
natural tendency for the east and west to d.
vide, and 10 make two separate and independ-
ent governments. The rain that falls upon the
summit Of the Rocky mountains passes either
into the Atlantic or the Pacific, according TO the
laws Of grayitation. Just so there is natural
gravitatiOn toward separate government, and II
by proper legislation the interests OF these two
sections can be made mutual, or more identified
with each other, the equilibrium will be main
tained. This Pacific Railroad therefore not only
opens highway whereby japan and China can
transport their rich productions by much
shorter route than formerly, but more than all,
il tends to bind together in stronger ties, the
two sections. And upon this ground, charters
should be granted to construct railroads across
the continent, for every road adds another link
TO the chain that binds us together. But If,
upon the other hand, Congress shall allow Sec
tional interest and private considerations to in
fluenec its legislation, and charters are to be
withheld from companies who wish to construct
roads across the great west, we should not be
surprised to see even in our day, this republic
divided into two separate governments. Let
however live and liberal policy be pursued.
and our nation will soon become the grandcst
the sun ever shOne upon. PRENrIss.