The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-02-09
A Great Enterprise The Northern
Pacific Railroad.
From the Index.

In his late address at Cooper Institute,
Thomas ?, Hughes, the large hearted Eng.
glish friend of America, said: The
nobiest work that men can do just now is
the subduing and developing of this mag
nifcient continent Of yours. In this
work of development, the railroad sys-
tenn of the United States is:the pioneer
/ and the principal agency. Among the
| grandest and soundest Of the commercial
| enterprises which make memorable the
present time is the construction of the
Northern Pacific Railroad, extending
from Duluth, at the western extremity
of Lake Superior, and Saint Paul.o the
Mississippi River. through the great Fer
tile Belt Of our New Northwest, to the
Pacific OCEAN at Puget Sound. The
States and Territories traversed by this
second national highway are Minnesota,
Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and
Washington. The three first will soon
be the wheat grarary of the nation. while
the two last, with their wealth ef min
erals timber, agricultural and maritime
resources. are simply unsurpassed In their
natural advantages.
The building Of the Northern Pacific
Road is now under full Roadway; the
first $50 miles-from Lake Superior to
the Red River-being well advanced to
ward completion. The enterprise is in
the hands Of the right sort of men-men
of national reputation, of unqnestioned
integrity, of capital, of sagaclty, and of
large experience in railroad affairs-nen
who are prosecuting this great work on
the strictest business principles, wit an
eye to solid and permanent success
through the development Of the business
OF their road and their vast land endow-
ment Instead Of seeking for premature
profits In the actual work of construc-
ton.
The Northern Pacific Railroad system
is assuming business like form and
comprehensive proportions. It's projec-
tors are at the outset securing each con-
nections and alliances with the chief lines
OF water communications, and with the
railroad systems of the Atlantic and
Pacific States, as cannot fail TO bring to
it, in addition to its local business, a
large and increasing share of the carry
ing trade between ocean and ocean. At
Duluth, one arm meets the commerce Of
the Lake and the ST. Lawrence at St.
Paul, the other eastern arm connects with
the commerce of the Mississippi River
and lis tributaries, and with the railroads
of the Central and Eastern States, con-
centrating at Chicago. These two arms
will unite in Western Minnesota. From
the point Of junction third Branch will
! extend to Pembina on the British border,
and the trunk line will traverse Central
| Dakota, and follow the now famous Vel
the boundary Of Idaho the road will again
| ley of the COluM hia to tide water at Port
| land Grounn bn nt bar StrIl- 1irootl1,
across the Cascade Range to the main
terminus of Puget Sound. A North and
South Branch will also connect the Puget
! Sound terminus with that at Portland.
Both at Portland and Puget Sound the
road will tap the coastwise and foreign
trade Of the Pacific Ocean.
The CHIEF advantages peculiar to the
| Northern Pacific route are believed to be
these l. 1t reduces the distance be-
tween the Lakes and the Pacific Ocean
some 900 miles. =. It lessons the dis
lance between New York and the Pacific
| by water and rail to the same extent. 3.
1t lessons the distance between London
and Chinese ports, by the transconti-
mental route, at least 400 miles. +.
| 1t traverses belt of States and Territor-
les admirably adapted for fertility Of
soil. mIdness Of temperature, and equal
agricultural. 5. Its elevation in the
mountain region is 5000 feet less than
that fother lines; resulting in di
minished snowfall, mild climate. and
far easter gradients. e. At convenient
Intervals it intersects numerous naviga-
| bic streams, -such as the Columbia, the
| Cowlitz, the Yellowstone, the Missouri,
the Red, and the Mississippi, which
drain vast region, and will serve as
feeders 70 the road. 7. 1t will partake
Of the character of an international route,
permanently controlling the carrying
trade of British America. and rendering
| the important colonies north of the boun-
dairy, and west of Lake Superior CONNER
| cially tributary to our Northwestern
| States.
Already settlers are rapidly crowding
to the line of the Northe' Pacific Road
in the new Northwest and Judging from
what is known of the plans adopted for
| promoting the settlement and develop
ment, through emigration and colniza-
| ton, of the b cit Of States and Territnr-
les tributary to the line, there would
seem to be no doubt that the corporation
upon whicss the Government has confer
red this great trust is determined to make
the enterprise not only financially sound,
but greatly and permanently beneficial to
the whole country. With the muniicent
endowment Of fertile lands, with the far
sighted policy already inaugurated,
great commercial project could hardly
start under better auspices or with great
err assurance Of success.
TJE NEWT EDg>ESynENsrv