National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-30
The Texas Pacific.


To the Editor Of The National Republican:
A received axiom Of social science is that little
can be done in the cause of progress unless we'll
directed effort shall succeed in arousing in a peo-
pie that interest, inseparaole from Improved
higher living Utilitsrian America long since con-
stituted the iron horse a lever of argument
thereto and an open sesame to decisive results
While such Is our faith in the universal law of pro-
gTession that we unhestatingly atlrm, each busy
generation leaves behind, besides the accumula-
tion of material or intellectual wealth, marked
developments Of character which, by potency Of
Will, affect the subsequent being OF mankind.
Great moral GalileOs, tenacious under every OBJ
stacle, Affirming in the darkest hour of their cher
ished undertakings "still It moves" These are
among the most clearly defined features Of ad-
vance. Neither the growth Of commerce nor the
increase Of knowledge could, apart from this de-
velOpment Of character, have produced the Amer
lea Of to-day from the indiherently united, yet
faithful Colonies scattering!y grouped on eur At
lantic border one hundred and fifty years ago. Born
OF their piteOus need was q band, cOnsecrated in
the economy Of Americas revolution to guide the
helm Of our superexcellent Republican State
policy to haven Of union, peace and prosperity.
Bridging an era Of innumerable speefalties,
which American life has furnished Of these great
moral creations; benefactOrs Of their own and
coming time, we pause to survey the wonderfully
unprecedented, and once most improbable, sue
then disreputable antislaverY effort.
These have fought and conquered In the cause
Of consistent freedom. Some live to enjoy the
fruits Of their farseeiug and much ridlculed phil
anthropy. Others have passed beyond, filling
honored and martyrs graves. Now Is the age Of
heroic endeayors; brave, catholic and generous
purpose number with the past. TOiling cheer
fully in our midst philanthroptS In the truest
sense Of that much-a6use word; men who, on the
proud place, and whose names our people will
not willingly let die.
HonOred among these, by the strong, patient,
advanced the Texas Paciao rliIroad bill than
which Congress has not latterly entertained a
more important one, nor more fraught with last
ing results TO the Union, irrespective OF section
ts Col, Thomas A. Scott, Having traYersed this
Il Dorado Of undeveloped Southern wealth; hav-
ing by reason Of observation anG conviction con-
elusive and entire become master Of the position,
needs, and necessarily accTuing wealth to those
who open up her boundless resources, and give the
broad expanse Of the Lone Star State and ada
cent sections the most direct railroad commuuica-
ton with older communities, and all the multi
piled facilities such communication implies.
Col Scott, and those his ardor has enlisted, have
shown Themselves most active in securing the
greatest good TO the greatest number, to the capt.
talist and man Of commerce, not less than to
thousands OF Southrons Of stagnant ability and un-
developed resource.
This discernment as to the South's demand for
railway communications, needs shame the futile
dream Of harmonious reconstruction by other
methods. Many statesmen, less sagaeiOus, en-
terrain Col. Scott has given himself to this work
with zeal and selEsaerhcing spirit few men in
this nervous, impatient age, can show. Self-for-
getful devotion to great mission Is not so com.
mon that We can afford to ignore its prominent
exemplars. There is great deal Of sentimental
and not unfrequently conspicuous, selEdenyinS
enthusiasm in pursuit Of some speciality; aud an
eXhaGsilets yield OF power and prosperity such as
this'sball, when completed, be a perennial source
OF gladness and blessing upon him who had
acumen to perceive, will TO undertake, and energy
to accomplish SO magniicsnta work.
In unfolding the powers and energies OF this
great system will be recognized benefit such as
philosophy, art, or legislation has never con-
IerTed on the South, and so much Just now de-
ponds upon giving her disafected people none
tary business pursuits that failure to perceive in
II a pacifcator savOrs OF culpabIe stupidity.
The Union Pacific and Central having had
their apnropriatIons together with liberal land
grants, from which the South has received only
remote advantage, while uncomplainingly sus-
tanning her ratio OF cost, the Texas Pacific now
claims its share OF the Governments support
under the most insured restrictions and Indemnify
from loss; for not as subsidy is aid sought, but
q guarantee Of interest simply on the seventy
million dollars OF the eompany's bonds, with
liberal security in first mortgage on the road,
with all the franchises and property OF the same,
gold. So sanguine are the projectors OF complete
success that they aver Congress would never
have TO pay cent Of the interest-iaat the road
but q revenue to stockholders; not only upon the
principle Ct equity and equality, but that OF eco.
nOmical expediency in facilitating protection Of
frontier should Congress faithfully consider this
Besides furnishing homes to a numerous
class Of emigrants, by nativity and habit better
adapted to this genial cline than the chilling
blasts of the Northwest, 1t makes available TO the
markets of the world the vast fertile region OF
this latitude deposits OF precious ore, in which
Arizona, New Mexico and Southern California
abound.
That railroads have come to be recognized as
the most powerful adjunets t0ciyiliZation is not
more palpably true than that the South is to-day
chatirg under the great want Of more equaliZed
advantage in this respect. The North, East, and
West have their millions engaged in nanufac-
lures and agriculture, with WelLorRaniEed faeili-
ties OF directest interchange Of communication,
while the South is absolutely unlettered 10 the
great art Of enterprise, Assuredly her power
and hopes for the future lies In Commanding the
empire of steam.
The interests and benefits OF the American
Union are one, individual, and the same. To es-
tablish fully these views, and TO prove that tue
grievances of which the Southern people diher-
ingly complain spring from other causes, only
halt perceived, is the great mission OF Col Scott
and his mammoth Texas Pacific road. Once
fairly opened the field for Individual capitalists
will rapidly NIL. The people will call no longer
on Heaven and earth to pity them. Prayer will
be a thanksgiving, than duplication; labor no
longer in chains, and the public mind released
from political strife, eemented to the other sec
lions by common interest, will follow their for
tunes to the end.
When a road is projected tho public not unrea-
sOnabIy desire TO know, and more especially where
Government patronage or sustenanee is OF al soil
cited, whether IL is crudely formed speculation
or an essentially good lucrative project, begotten
OF careful thought and attention.
Under patient analysis Of all Its features this
scheme bears q critical test. Taken collectively
or singly the arguments in Its favor are absolute
ly lrTeiuta bic.