Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-18
TyE TEXAS AND PACIF7C RAlL HA1
1ND 4 SOUTHERN EMPIRE.

AND 4 S0U7RERN EMPIRE.
This railroad is one of the great schemes
of ex-confederate ambition. 10 promote
tic construction no stone will be left un-
turned by democratic politicians OF the
Sontb But it cannot succeed without the
aid of the general government, to obtain
which there is q great deal Of pipe-laying
and wire-pulling going on at the present
time.
As an evidence of the effort being MADE
at the South. we have at hand a copy OF a
letter from r. NJ. T. Hunter OF Virginia,
addressed to Mr. Lamar of Mississippi,
printed as circular and intended Tor dis-
tribution in places where it 'would 90 the
most good" In the opening of this c'rcu-
lar Mr.. Hunter endeavors to reconcile the
theory of State Rights with such an enter
nrise as the Texas Pacific Railway as a
Federal measure. OF course he makes
ont very poor case regarding the matter
from his standpoint, as a State Rights
man and strict constructionist, but he
very ingeniously makes it appear that the
railroad would be such grand enterprise
for the South that the people of that sec
ton ought not to let their State Rights
ideas stand in the way of securing its con-
s.ruction by the general government
Towards the close Of the circular he re-
veals the true intent of the scheme. 1t Is
to make this railroad an agency for the
establishment of Southern empire, an
instrument to bring about in process OF
time the object at which the rebel govern
ment aimed and which it failed to accom-
plish. We confess ii staggers ones con-
fdence in men fearfulIy to be compelled
to believe that the Southern ex-confeder-
ates would make the national treasury pay
hundreds of millions of dollars to build
this road if they could. and then, having
obtained the road, use it 10 destroy the
national government and erect Southern
empire Yet this is no worse than they
did in the first rebellion, when they seized
the national armories, forts and vessels,
and turned their guns upon the govern
ment from which they stole them. The
following extract from Mr.. Hunters letter
will show that we do not misrepresent
him:
1.-THE right of the Government to settle
and organize its Territories so as to bring
new States into the Union is undeniabe.
Whatever is necessary, whatever is highly
useful for these purposes, if its execution
be impossible by the States, may be done
as proper, if not actually necessary for the
purpose. Can any measure be conceived
which would bring in new States along
that route so rapidly and so efficiently as
the construction of this road? Without it
there will probably be parts of that valu-
able territory unsettled and ministering
fury or more. Complete this road. and
large and efficient societies will spring
swiftly into being, like Minerva from the
head of her father, aroused and equipped
tor all human work. and ready to play a
useful part in the trade and intercourse OF
all mankind. This is work which States
could never undertake or complete, but
too vast and important to the States and
the WOTlu W SuHcE dUOll III Il sCluBIC
But there is another point OF view in which
this question eXcites what has been called
the "land-hunger Of the Anglo-Saxon," by
which do not mean the "union of the
Roman and Sabine" the rape of conquest,
but connection through the bonds OF law
full wedlock, brought about through the
easy and insensible intercourse of trade
and daily social communion. The con-
struction of this route, it is said, will es
tablish intimate relations of trade and
commerce between eight or ten of the
northern provinces OF Mexico, and the
people of the American territory through
which it will pass. A VAST SOUTH
ERN EMPIRE may thus arise, holding
new relations with the rest Of the world,
helping to maintain justice and create
large common interests amongst the men,
bers OF the present union; or, perhaps,
establishing NEW POINT OF DEPART
URE and a new balance Of interests on The
North american continent"
Here we see the design which turks be-
meath the fair appearance of the Texas
and Pacific Railroad. Yet this is one of
the measures the democracy will be
pledged to if they secure the control Of
the general government. Northern DEM
ocratic dough-faces enough will be found
to support it, so that joined with the ex-
confederates they will carry it through,
though it stands confessed even now as an
enterprise full Of black treason to the
government Luckily the people of these
northern States are beginning to get their
eyes open to the schemes Of the eX con-
foderates and their northern allies, as the
elections show, and will not trust them
with the power they are grasping at.
The town elections in New York con-
tinue to show republican gains. In forty
five counties of the State the democrats
had last year majority of Sc of the Board
of Supervisors. In the same counties the
republicans have this year a majority OF
1870. This shows net republican gain OF
1856. and points very conclusively to re-
publican majority in the State next No
yember