New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-25
ACROSS THE CONTINENT-AGALN.

Early next month n golden spike will be
driven in the last rail of the Northern Pacific
Railroad, which has already been practically
finished. THUS q third complete and distinct
line across the continent will be supplied.
There will be on that day public and formal
ratification of the completion of the new
highway, and there will doubtless he
10y among those who have part In the
undertaking. But the feeling with which
the public will regard the event will
contrast strongly with tho memorable rejoc-
ings when the Union and Central Pacific roads
we're formally united. At that time hun
dred guns were fired 10 the City Hall park, and
special prayers were offered in the churches
and the whole country joined in the thanks
giving. There is nothing marvellous in this
change of feeling. The first great victory
over natural obstacles was hailed as a national
triumph. For many years wise statesmen had
realized that the continued union of the Pacific
and Atlantic States would probably depend
upon the completion of means Of ready COM
munication across the continent. When the
last rail was laid the territorial unity of the
country WAS secured. The commerce and the
interests OF the two coasts became indissUlubly
united. No wonder there was rejoicing
wherever there was commercial enterprise
or patriotic feeling.
But the new Pacific roads stand on
different footing. When the Southern Pacific
was completed to II junction with the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa F6 at Dcming, in the far
South. close TO the Mexican border. March Is,
1881, there were no public rejoicings, nor
when, in December of the same year, it was
completed to junction with the Texas Pacific
at Sierra Blanca, ninety-One miles east OF FL
Paso The new line was regarded purely as
commercial enterprise, not as an achievement
essential to national unity. So tho third COM
plete route, OF which the last rail was laid
August % in the far North, close to the British
boundary, is commonly considered only in
its commercial and industrial relations.
Whether there is now or is likely soon to be
business enough for three distinct transconti
mental lines is not quite 30 clear as some per-
Sous would he glad to have 1t. The general
belief that have heen building too many
railroads and that these vast enterprises are
perhaps some years in advance of public needs
prevents anything like enthusiasm at the
completion of the work.
Men of foresight, however, see that the
nation is greatly strengthened by these new
~rteries of communication, one close to its
southern and the other close to its northern
boundary. In event Of any war it will no
longer be dependent upon single central
route, possibly blocked by snow, for the trans
portation of troops and supplies. If assailed
from the north or FROM the south it can move
its forces with rapidity to any threatened
point If one road bound the nation together,
three not only bind il more closely and firmly
but give it a vastly increased hold upon the
business and interests of populations adjoining
us on the north and on tho SOUTH Mexico is
alrea ~ feeling the influence of American en-
terplise It's richest regions can now he
from Mexico and have no commercial outlet
except through the United States. III
measure similar results have already followed
in the Dominion of Canada. The settlers
along the entire line, from the Lake of the
Woods to VAncOuver's Island, have as yet nc
better communication with the outer world
than by United States railroads, and, when
branches are completed connecting the Cana
dian Pacific with the Northern Pacific system,
will be drawn into even closer intercourse with
the people. of Minnesota, Dakota, Montana and
Washington. Thus these new arteries of trade,
whether financially beneficial to the projectors
or not, will tend powerfully to bring the whole
continent more under the influence of the re-
public. Their completion may well be recOg-
nized as an event Of national interest and inn
portance, which will be more fully appreciated
ten years hence than it can he now.