The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-07-06
The Southern Pacific Raiaway--Its
Political Importance.

The Southern Pacific Railway--Its
Political Importance.
The Southern Pacific railway, viewed IN
nil its relations, Is the greatest railway enter
prise fin the world. ITS route Is the most
eligible of all that have been and that proba-
big ever will be projected. A great part OF
1t is through a piedmont country, and it
crosses che line Of the mountain ranges
parallel with and near the Pacific without
q tunnel and at grades as easy as can DC
desired. Where 1t trayerses the line the
mountains have disappeared save here and
there an elevation, which may represent the
tall reak OF a sunken mountain. These Gle.
yations resemble monsters asleep in the plain.
and their sleep Is SO sound that the ruoe
echoes Of the steanl.w histie Of the train WING
ing amongst them cannot disturb their s'a'n-
bcrs. The track lies along easy grades, where
once mountains lowered above the frost line
and their white peaks glistencd IN 'he rays
of the summer sun. 1t traverscs the pam
u,on the line of longitude on which the
Central Pacific railway has its elevation,
eight thousand feet above the sea, and ats
one hundred and fifty miles of snow-sheds to
protect the track and enable the trims to
pass. where, without that protection, would
be impossible snow-drifts In midsummer.
TO these remarkable advantages we may
add that perpetual spring or sumner tenn
pcraturc prevails along the line to the Pa
cific. thus freeing il at all times from obstruc-
tions and dangers by frost. When we re-
collect that such road, so blcst by nature,
has its termini where commerce furnishes It's
heaviest accumulations, we may begin 10
see the business that will be thrown upon 1t.
But it is not upon its tcrlnini alone that II
depends for occupation and thrift. The Ell
tire country it traverses is fruitful to high
degree and is destined to TEEN with popu-
laiion and with productions.
When to all these things we add the fact
that this great road lies in the line along
which commerce flows by reason of its direct
ness of communication with the great markets
of the world, as well as its freedom from The
distractions of temperature, We may elevate
our conceptions of its grandeur and power
higher and higher until we award 1t posi-
ton of eminence above that of any road that
is already built or that is likely to be built
on this continent. 1t will become the tittcst
representative in the magnitude of its power
and achievements of the republic itself 1t
will be Mc route between the Pacific and
I,,si no mn rnncinfr and
its movements will never know interruption
from any of the many causes which in north
ern attitudes not only often paralyzc rail-
ways but place human life in great peril.
A highway having such advantages, cX-
tending in line of moderate temperature
across the entire territory of this great ma
ton, must exert Il. powerful influence upon
the social and political economy Of the coun-
try. lis importance in this respect exceeds
that Of its relations to commerce. From the
sectional strife that has 50 long prevailed in
the land, and the effects of the war, the
moncyed wealth of the country became con-
centrated in the North. The South became
poor. and fell victim to partiality and
wrong, backed by the money power and di-
rected by the cunning of sordid politicians.
The political Scc-saw became weighed down
by the preponderance of northern power,
and this ii is which has disturbed the cqui-
lbrium of the national economy, and spread
discomfort and retarded peace and pros
perity in all sections. For the national
well-bcing it is essential that the equi-
librium should be restored, and we
look upon this Southern Pacific railway
rs destined to be principal agent in this
restoration. In this its political agency will
be immensely beneficial. 1t will ditluse the
beneiicence of the public blessings-it will
dfltlse and help to equalize population and
prosperity-and assist immensely in prcsery-
ing that equal circulation Of tue life-siving
fluids of the body-politic which preserve its
health and prolong its existence. We cannot
over-estimate the Importance of this high
way in this grand feature of its usefulness.
We cannot more strongly illustrate the
contrast of the power of the North and its
favor with the Government on the one hand.
and the poverty of the South and its neglect
by the Government on the other, than by
referring to the fact that with all the supc-
rior claims of this southern continental line
the Central Pacific road is completed mainly
by Government assistance before this south
ern road has, as it were, started. Congress
gave It ever the cold shoulder, while it gave
money and lands layishly to the northern
pets which had not q 1.-THE of the promised
good from their construction which all must
have seen in the southern route.
But merits such as the southern line pos
sessed could not be ignored could not be &c.
pressed. Ii southern people had not the ear
and the favor of Congress, smart northern
men who had both saw what was to be
made Of the scheme. They came forward
and obtained grants Of land and combined
previous charters, and now, under THOMAS
ScoTT, FORNEY, and others, the great enter
prise is to be accomplished in a few years.
We have no objection to the agents. 1t is
all the better that they are just the men they
are. They know the way to capital, and
they know how to get it; and when they get
the capital and invest it, the great interest 1t
creates win be indestructible. Money
planted in railways cannot be removed,
and where 4 MANS money is there
will be his heart. The great railway
becomes a hostage for the South and
4 guarantee for liberal measures as we have
already said diStr;hutiye orout boIn;pr