The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-22
Rambling Letter from Rowing Corr
respondent.

Rambling Letter from a Rowing Cor
respondent.
EVANSVILLE, WIS.,, May Is, 1871.
To the Editor Of the State Journal.
This city of 10, 900 inhabitants is ninety
miles northwest of Chicago, on the direct
line of the Northern Pacific railroad
which reaches Duluth-s standing at the
head of Lake Superior, and 1900 miles
of lake navigation. This road, which has
been SO magni6cently endowed by the
government, is now being pushed for
ward by all the energies of its projectors.
Many have doubted whether the line
chosen by this company could even be
worked successfully on account OF the
extreme cold in the range of latitude
along which it was proposed to construct
the road. Investigations already made
establish the fact that crops ripen and
the soil is both fertile and productive, and
the temperature is such as to secure along
the line of the road hardy, enterprising
and intelligent population.
1t has long been known that the iso-
thermal line of mean temperature of Bal
timore traced westward across the CONT
nent, will be found to run far to the north
ward, and will strike the Pacific in about
latitude 48. So, also, the summer is other
NAL line which passes through Pennsylva-
MIA and Ohio followed westward, bear
northward into the British possessions sew
eral hundred miles north of this proposed
road. The very learned and able reports
made from time to time to the English
Parliament, by the officers of the Crown,
In relation to the value of the country en-
bracing the valleys of the Saskatchewan
and Red river of the North, have shown
their regions to be healthy and perfectly
adapted to occupation by an enlightened
and cultivated population.
1t Is well attested that the finest wheat
in the world is grown in these valleys--the
husbandman often gathering from forty to
eighty bushels per acre. Nutritious grasses
grow in luxuriance, and the cattle, without |
being housed, fnd abundant winter sup
port by feeding thereon. The early stu
dents of geography in this country will
remember that large portion of the now
settled territories and States was represent
ed as the "Great American District" This
was absolutely unknown--a wild, worth
less waste. Since intelligence and energy
has shown and is demonstrating that this
broad expanse is to be recovered from its
primeval condition, and is to be made a
fit dwelling place for millions of earnest
and energetic inhabitants. Our ignorance
of the value and worth of these more
northern portions of our continent, is also
soon to be dissipated, and we shall learn
that these regions shall be carved into
States and territories important as any
that have yet preceded them.
The Northern Pacific have land grants
amounting to nearly 100000 of acres,
which is most munihcent donation, and
one that must secure the early completion
Of the road. 1t has decided advantage
over the Central Pacific, 10 that its highest
mountains are 5000 feet lower than the
same ranges on the Central line, and also
in the fact that the volumn of snow fall is
far less every winter than that experienced
along the line of the Central Pacific. The
mineral resources of the country through
which this line is to pass cannot he sur
passed, and already rich veins of coal have
been discovered, which, added to the inn
mense quantity of heavy timber along its
line, will furnish an abundance of cheap
fuel, 30 necessary to the successful working
of railway. Gold iron and copper
mines are found 10 great richness
Indeed. there seems nothing lacking to
furnish a remunerative business to this
line, and its early completion is now fixed
and certain. This is day of gigantic un-
dertakings and herculean accom- plishments,
and it will not be long ere three mighty
pathways will be laid across this continent
from ocean to ocean, and over these bands
OF iron shall sweep the locomotive as the
civilizer of mankind, bearing in its might
and power the commerce of the nations,
and uniting in bonds stronger than iron
the inhabitants of the old and the new
world. Filling up the measure of the last
quarter of the nineteenth century, it re-
mains for the people of this land to enjoy
the rich harvest of great accomplishments
that shall push far forward the great hand
on the dial plate of destiny. SITo