The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-10-04
TERMS
UPS 4 Nd 30 WIS.


the Central and Union which con-
meets the great middle States of the
republic, the Northern Pacific starts
out of the wilds of Lake Superior
and plunges into the still more mac
cessible wildernesses of the CONT
nent, neither beginning with, find
ing or reaching communities of any
present importance in point ofnum-
bers or wealth.
On the other hand the Union Pa
cifc. born in the throes of the re-
belion. was the offspring OF the
widely separated East and West,
filed with mighty desire to ce-
ment their relations by some link,
which neither domestic commotion
nor foreign war could dissever
The public heart opened without
stint. aud endowed that favOrlte
with more than princely gifts OF
land and money. 1t was the great
aud original achievement Of the
age to carry this highway, from the
levels ofeither ocean mp over heights
which arrest even the clouds in
their flight
1t was a sort Of spectacle 10 the
nations, this prodigy Of human au-
dacity, and the work went on with
all the inspirations that can animate
and sustain an enterprise Of such
naturc-the worlds admiration, and
a nations ambition and money.
The idea of the Northern Pacific
was agitated during the same stor-
my period; but feebly in comparison
with It's more splendid competitor.
An obscure man whose name is sell
dom or never mentioned now, N
this connection, was unwearled IN
his effort to make interest in Con
gress for a landed endowment, III
behalf Of the attempt to carry across
a second railway north OF the forty
fifth parallel. No personage was
too high or too humble, that he did
not seek to enlist his sympathles and
his active influence and aid, in .
cause which was near to the hearts
Of Isaac l.. Stevens aud Edwin (.
johnson - illustrious names, now
passed away.
This man was the first president
of the road-Josiah Perham o1
Maine.
Upon assuming the office he said
to the ockho!ders "that years oil
the best portion of his lite and many
thousands of dollars had been devo-
ted by him to the accomplishment
of this enterprise With the foot
steps Of time and the avldlty oi
death, in summers heats and win
Ter storms, against opposition open
and covert, jeers and sarcasms
alone or aided only by those be en-
ployed, he had struggled on until a
point had been reached that dehed
opposition and gave assurance OF
final success"
The first president fell by the way
long since, but the record bears wit
ness to his energy, zeal and perse-
verance. Then the project rested
for a few yeans, and was taken up
by a man who had tasted the fruits
of lofty enterprise, and sighed for
more conquests-nothing less than
to subiugate the bulk OF continent
10 civilized occupation and rule, by
means of the \ Northern Pacific Rail
way. Under this impulse we have
seen immense activity, great pro
gresS for the time 1t continued,
and great errors committed, which
more sober and prudent manage
ment would have avoided.
While a review Of Jay Cooke 5
administration will deal in unspar-
ing criticism Of whatever in it vas
unjust, extravagant and foolish, and
there has been much, it will accord
perhaps due credit To his energy and
general good intentions In behalf OF
the road. Il will show that man
TO be successful AS financial mana-
ger of such an enterprise, must be
governed less by Imagination than by
good sense; must be impartial, pru-
dent, experienced, and deserving of
public confidence, at home and
abroad
The prologue and first act OF the
Northern Pacific have been given to
the public. The play will not stop
until the tiual conSummatiou. Each