The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-01-27
THE PACIFIC ROAD.

Prof. Waterhouse had prepared an
able article for the use of the st. Louis
Convention, but was unable to present
it. The following extracts taken from
the Shreveport Times will be found
interesting: -t .I.
In accordance with the traditional
action of our government in matters Of
great public Improvement, in con-
formity with numerous railroad prece-
dents, and in obedience to the dictates
of sound sense and statesmanly wis
dom, our government ought, in any
event, and irrespective of minor Pc
cuniary considerations, to foster an en-
terprise so sectionally necessary and 80
nationally useful.
This road should be built so that the
South as well as the North might have
cheap and convenient line of COM
munication, and that the profits of in
terchange might not be consumed in
unnecessary detours of transportation.
That the Union, strong in the patri-
otto devotion of its citizens, would be
bound in still closer alliance by the
material ties of community of inter
ests and equal facilities of communities
ton. OF the two great iron cinctures,
the Southern will in my Judgment, be
the more useful. The main reason for
this beliefhave already been given, but
the point of superiority yet remains to
be mentioned.
A recent trip to Japan and China
strongly confirms these views. | am
thoroughly convinced that our COM
merce with these countries will, if fos-
tered by wise legislation and a just pol
icy, soon become immense. There
seems to be no good reason why the
United States should not, by fair deal
ing, supplant England in the control
of these profitable Oriental exchanges.
The distance from New York to Ja-
pan is probably 600 miles less via San
Diego than it is by way of San Fran
cisco. The Pacific mail steamers sail
from the Golden Gate due south almost
TO the latitude. of San Diego before
they turn their bows eastward. The
Texas and Pacific railroad, saving 600
miles of water carriage, and probably
as much more of overland transporta-
ton, would by its economy OF time
and freight secure monopoly of that
oriental trade which was destined to
traverse the continent. San Diego
will yet be the Western terminus Of
an Eastern line of steamships.
An enterprise so obviously national
In its character and benefits should en-
counter no opposition but If, unhap-
PLY, mistaken conceptions of local in
terest should array sectional hostility
against thisrailroad, still q concert Of
action on the part of the adjacent
States would achieve success. The
harmonious cooperation of the West
and South Is the essential condition
and guarantee of victory. Itwould in
sure the Congressional legislation
which alone is needed for the success
full prosecution of the enterprise. But
any diversion of forces, any undue
pressure of minor issues, any overload
ing of the main line with branch roads
will be sure to defeat the whole under
taking. Once secure the trunk, and
the branches will grow of themselves.
But iflocal jealousies, selfish interests
aud conflicting claims are allowed to
thwart this enterprise, the States gull.
tyof such grave misconduct are I'M
worthy OF the great benefits which the
construction of the Texas Pacific would
confer. ~ tlt