The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-01-22
Terms $500 per annu,,a, u, od,,o,,oo

| CT. ~ ''OO hiSuei up dI DdJOn Rouge. The
hrst three OF these partial lines may seem IN
be very near and too near to be proGtahla bUt ~
they follow broad ar d fertile valleys, separa.
TED 9y high dividing ridges, and they will ali
when developed furnish sufficient local bnSi.
| ness to operate them economically
This great continental line is direct and in
its general bearing is northeast and sontb-
west. As military road, the late conleder-
acy was awake to its importance, and, IN The
heat of their struggle, resumed the work of
construction between Rome and Jacksonville.
Ala, having received one and one fourth
millions appropriation from Mr.. Davis for
that puIposa. When however, and not un-
til the blockade had demonstrated, as clear
as the rule OF three, that cotton was not king,
change came over the scene, and, with this
explosion, exploded many crystals and many
new ideas were seen to shoot. Cotton which
by the manipulations of art in the hands of
genius, becomes fabric of uni rerSdL necessi-
ty, is without these appliances Of genius, cot
ton still. Commerce is king, and the whole
world wide system OF exchange is about to be
revised and put upon reciprocating basis.
This diagonal route, from Halifax TO Ma
zatlan, is about $500 miles in length. 1t is
tangent to the Gulf of Mexico, (which in
time will be one of the great entreports of
the nation) as well as to the coast of New
England, and it embraces well nigh every va
riety OF the SOL and climate of North Ameri-
ca, and will associate many a different race
and character in its business operations.
(If this road had been built ten years ago
or could have gone on without suspension.
from its beginning in 1854, the slate un-
pleasantness" with the Confederacy would
not have happened for the two people would
have understood each other better-their in
terests being blended in the purSe)
Prior to the war the work of construction
from New Orleans to tne Rio Grande, up-
wards of five hundred miles, was in a Good
state OF forwardness, land the spirit of pro-
gross having been aroused in Mexico. she is
bound to change her politics as well as re.
ligion, which assures her advancement and
guarantees that she will ere long take her
place among the nations of the earth) and
of the whole way from Halifax to Mazatlan.
we may say over three fourths are completed
and in operation, and the time is very near
when the Atlantic and Pacific will be Joined
by an unbr6ken rail. There is nothing i'm
practicable in its early accomplishment, and
with this latter day energy of the American
people, nothing is too bold for their accom-
plishment. This road too, like the Union
Pacific and the Grand Continental will be-
come great highway of the nations and an
aAio VI lhO hOllu COulIuGICt.
The Dalton, Rome & Jacksonville (now
heightened to Selma) portion of this line, 1O1
miles in length has been a link of peculiar
interest in this national chain OF railroads.
Its first surveys were made in the fall ol 1854
and under three different charters, ground
was broken and the work in progress in 1861
when the word "hat" was given from Fort
Sumpter. The word was obeyed but as said
above, rally was made and the work re-
cr,t., ,o1 I1a sail l.nsIs
necessity, the father of many inventions.
That portion OF the line from Rome to Blue
Mountain, 61 miles, has been finished the
past year, and the forty miles, from Rome to
Dalton, is now in rapid progress. The whole
way from Dalton to Selma, 246 miles, is leas-
ed by company, having foot quarters in
New York city, Mr.. Deano, President, Capt.
E. G. Barney, General Superintendent, and
Eugene L. Hardy, Chief Engineer. John w.
Lapsley, the railway spirit OF Alabama is
leading Director, ard these names are suffi-
cient guarantee that the "Great Diaqondp
will see no rest until the last rail is laid upon
a direct line to New Orleans, about 250 miles,
surveys for which have been made already
from Selma.
The Dalton, Rome and Selma railroad has
peculiar history mot unlike many other
railroads in that it suspended, sold out, &e.)
has peculiar history of its Otgn, and it was
upon this line that some of the first bones
Of contention which ended in war, tCere
picked, and although Appomdttor has be-
come immortal from certain associations con-
nected with the war, yet nevertheless the
surrender was made in the early autumn of
1867, upon this same S. II. & ID. Il. r., be-
tween General Joseph L. Johnston and Cap
tain Barney the particulars OF which some
future historiou will disclose. .-----
Mr.. ii. ii. Day, in an excellent paper on
"Cheap Transportation" says:
"Three hundred millions OF people across
the Atlantic are waiting the completion of
our great Pacific railroads to open across this
continent their commercial intercourse-new
and increased relations with four hundred
millions OF Asia and adjacent Islands. Port
land lies directly i'll the line. 1t has the most
important harbors in many respects ON The
Atlantic coast 1t is never inaccessible from
ice. 1t is in the shortest line between Ly-
erpool and the Lake terminus OF the Union
and Northern Pacific railroads. 1t has the
shortest land route to the great lakes. 1t has
the deepest water and the shortest distance
to the open sea with absolutely no bar or
difficulties in entering ano departing"
The people OF Maine are more directly in
terested, and with proper and timely action
on their part, more to be prospered by this
new revolution in the worlds commerce than
| any other one State in the American Union.
What then is the question for her statesmen,
her merchants, manufacturers, and her la
borers?
We answer, to grapple with the work of
the hour and be prepared upon the compile
ton OF the nrst through line to the Pacific to
I'LL her place in the chain of links which forms
the most direct route fIOm Liverpool Havre
and Hamburg to China.
| How shall we now proceed to be fully pre-
| pared to use our natural advantages and geo.
| graphical position to obtain for ourselves and
retain for our children that large proportion
of this trade which is all interested in the
shortest line through our city and State?-
There is but one answer. Vessels will come
loaded from Europe, and require a return
cargo. We must be prepared, not only TO
| give them the grain of the West, but must
| afford the accommodation cheaply, as cheap
| ty as it can be done. The Niagara ship canal
scheme will pass Congress this season. The
other measure, it properly managed will
hasten the time when the real estate OF
Maine will be nearly il not quite doubled in
| value. we must bring the iood o! the West
and the South on its way to Europe, and our
| New England manufacturers into Portland
Harbor for distribution. Nothing is easier,
| if the people of Maine pull as one man.
The Niagara ship canal permits lake steam
| ers of ono thousand tons to reach that point
on Lake Ontario nearest TO the sea, only
about three hundred miles distant, one days
slow speed on the track to our very wharves.
Will the people of Maine and OF Portland
particular, accept these natural advantages
and secure these golden opportunities?
Something will be said OF the Charleston,
Memphis and Topeka Railway in ano her
letter and show how it is part OF this same
system of Pacific Railways. The extension
from Memphis will go by Jack onport, up the
valley of White River TO Springfield, and
| thence to Fort Scott, where it will connect
with lines running to the Union Pacific in
the valley Of the Platte,
GEO. WADswoRTH, G. L. r.
Portland Western Railway, II, Exchange
street, Portland.