The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-03-21
THE THREE AMERICAS.

mittee on printingin congress resolution
authorizing the publication by the govern
ment of 10000 copies in English and $1,000
copies in Spanish ofthe book ON the "Three
Americas Railway" II would be just
like congress to print these books ana help
OH this chimerical scheme to further which
not even company has yet been formed but
| It would be ridiculous to do so aside from
its illegal or unconstitutional character. 1t
Is almost beyond belief that a
committee of congressman should
seriously or for any length
of time, consider q proposition to publish
book calling attention TO iancilul or pro-
posed railroad They might with as much
propriety publish the millions of railway
guides AID cmigrant books and flaming
posters adjoining the various bill-boards OF
the country. This tendency to call IN the
government in private enterprises, TINS
rushing TO Washington for help upon the
inauguration Of every scheme is getting
alarming. Government ought not do any
thing but preserve order, administer jus
tcc, protect itself and people, and maintain
its own dignity. 1t possibly should in
dulgc in charity where the case is such
that the combined good sense
OF the people urges it, but the further away
we get from that principle which insists
that governments, ought as nearly as prac-
ticablc, to be kept down to a police institu-
ton merely, the worse will ii be tor us. AS
for this particular case, it is nothing in
itself, but serves to illustrate the reckless
and foolish manner In which legislation is
being carried on. The idea, in the first
place, of one line of road starting from
lIudson's Bay and running to Patagonia, is
absurd, and will never be built.
We will undoubtedly, in time, have
railroad connection with South America,
but practical common sense and business
foresight will accomplish II in the ordinary
and quickest way, by connecting links and
branches. 1t is indeed to be hoped that
this contamination will be reached at the
earliest possible time, for we know less of
the countries just south of us than we do Of
Europe or half of Asia. The three Amer
icas ought to be but one in every respect
and the commercial and social intercourse
between the various people of the closest
kind. But It will take time to produce
this desired result. Great intimacy
between nations and great under
takings are the outgrowth generally
Of necessity only and not OF romance or
fancy. 1t will be great day for the Uni
ted States, indeed, when a man can take
his seat in palace car at Boston and ride
down TO Buenos Ayres or Rio Janeiro in \
few days at the furthest, A great railway
project like the one before mentioned
would be of service, but never of such util-
ity asa netway of lines coming ipto exist
encc from the business and commercial de-
mands of the hour. Something ought to bo
done by the people of this country to in
crease the present social and trade relations
with our Central and South American
neighbors, but there is no right or reason
in asking government TO contribute
to either the advertising or building fund of
n private enterprise. Great lessons are OF.
tenest taught and great principles often UNI
derlie or are involved in these seemingly
most trivial resolutions and demands in
congress, and II is to be regretted, as it too
frequently occurs that our Legislators do
not appreciate them. The originator of
this particular project is now in New York,
attempting to organize II company to obtain
charters and start the road, and il he sue
ceeds this far, II will be another illustration
only of tho growing greatness Of the
thought Of the age, and the disposition ev.
erywherc in this country to attempt
grand enterprises. Mountains are thrown
down or tunnelled, continents are spanncj,
vast engineering feats are performed, and
we are accomplishing things never dreamed
of in other days, This giant railroad
scheme is but in keeping with other trc-
mcndous feats Of recent mining and cnsi.
ncering skin but is less practicable aud less
necessary than any OF the others. When
the Mexican system is completed road
will be run down the Central American
states and carried in South America, there
TO connect with other lines which will be
built in time, We are hardly likely to see
one unbrokcn line running down the back of
the Rocky Mountains and the Andes, 1900