Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-06-05
RaIlroads-Pas., Present, and Future.

Travelling by steam along highways
of iron had its birth in England; but
found its true foster mother in America.
Year after year its mileage steadily in
creased. until the entire continent was
covered with a network of steel, and
the locomotive which started Oh Mon
day from the great commercial center
of the East, rested at the close of the
week from its labors on the shores OF
the broad Pacific. The capital invested
in these great works was counted by
millions, and the commonwealths COM
posing the American Republic were,
not only i'm name, but in reality, the
UNITED STATES.
But in 1873, great financial panic
swept over the length and breadth of
the land. Merchants failed, banks sus-
pended, capital was swallowed up, and
the railway system had its full share in
the general disaster. Many roads, more
especially those of local character,
went into the hands of receivers, or into
bankruptcy. The annual advance
hitherto noticed, was at once checked,
and the inquiry arose, what of the pres
ent and the future?
1t is not in the nature of the Ameri-
IAN people, however, to succumb under
difficulties. Revolutions never go back
ward. Gathering up the fragments
that remained, they Immediately grid
ed up their loins for renewed efforts.
One great line of railway literally aided
by the Government, already spanned
the continent from the Atlantic coast
TO San Francisco. Two others are par
tally completed, the Northern Pacific
to the northward of the Union, and Ike
Central Pacific roads, traversing the
mining districts of Montana. and ter
minating on Puget Sound, in Washing
ton Territory. and the Texas Pacific,
starting from apoint on the Mississippi
river, and having for its prospective
terminus, the harbor of San Diego, in
Lower California. The former has re-
Gently been granted an extension Of
eight years for its completion. Little
or no progress, however, is at present
making on that line, but that on the
South, is being vigorously pushed. 1t
is in the interest of the whole country
that it should be speedily built, as COM
petition is the life of trade. Its pro-
jected line lies, as near as may be, along
the 32d parallel, sufficiently to the
southwark to escape the violent snow
storms by which the Central and Union
Pacific are so frequently obstructed.
But, for the recent unpleasantness be-
tween the northern and southern sec
tions of the Union, there can be but
little doubt that the first trans-conti-
mental line of ofrailway would have taken
this route. The distance between the
Southern Atlantic ports and San Diego,
is one thousand miles shorter than from
New York to San Francisco. The other
Pacific roads are to twelve millions of
our people of no practical value. But
the Texas Pacific road traversing new
country rich in mineral wealth, and
well adapted for the growing Of wool,
grain and cotton, will at once open up
to our manufacturers of cotton and
woollen goods. machinery, agricultural
implements, &c, what they stand
greatly in need ola new market now
almost entirely monopolized by Eng
lish merchants. The expenses of our
military establishments in Western
Texas will be greatly reduced, and
the running of regular trains will
prove the best missionaries for the pa
cification and civilization of the Indian
tribes. The energy thus far displayed,
in the carrying forward of this and
kindred enterprises, Is the best guaran-
tee that they will all be completed in
due time-the Texas Pacific first-and
then the great highway on our Northern
boundary.