The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-01-06
me Grcas Pacific stases.

Does the son of this republic ever stop
to think that this country reaches from
ocean to ocean, from Atlantic to Pacific,
and that, except Canada, which viii be D
part Of the Union. perhaps, one day, his
country is the only one in civilization
that does thus stretch from ocean to
ocean, William 81. Seward, who becomes
greater man as his various prophecies
one after another come true, predicted
that the Pacific ocean will be the scene
Of mans greatest achievements in tho
future.
William L. Merry, writing In The
| Forum, declares that II the American
government and people act the part Of
wisdom these great achievements will
mainly be accomplished on our own Pa
ciac coast, and thus the United States
win gain the supremacy OF the world.
First Of all he mentions the climate Of
the Pacific coast, which tourist writes
IN private letter would be tolerable II
the inhabitants Of the Californian coast
did not fling It into the travellers teeth
morning. noon and night. II the tourist
could have little rest on the snbject
he would think moro 1T this glorious
climate.
Mr.. Merry points ont the factors which
are to make the Pacific states leaders in
the grand march Of civilization. The
California redwood, the white cedar Of
Oregon, the sugar pine and the Oregon
pine are some Of the varieties Of wood
already renowned that 60 to make the
Pacific coast lumber region the finest
timber district on the globe. The Pacific
coast fisheries are practically inexhaus-
tible, the soil is fertile except in tho
mountains; but these, not to be left be-
hind, make mp for absence Of fertility by
being inealculably rich in minerals. The
capacity of the ground for agricultural
production can only be measured when
irrigation Is fully developed.
California is becoming the Italy Of
America. Instead Of going to old Italy,
with its ruins, taxes and swarms of fleas
and beggars, the American tourist should
take trip to California, see the sunset
through the Golden Gate, and then real
ize for the first time that his country
spans the continent. But in the judg-
ment Of Mr.. Merry and the people
OF the Pacific coast, one grfevous
lack mars the shining. prospects Of
the Pacific coast. That is the fact
that the Nicaragua canal Is not yet
built. That canal, which would allow
wheat to be shipped in bulk directly
through to Europe, would save 5000
600 to $1,000, 900 in freight, insurance
and interest. With that canal open the
fruits of California could 20 from San
Francisco to Europe in refrigerator
steamers in twenty-five days The Pa
cifc side Of Central America would
profit almost equally with our Pacific
coast. A maritime commercial su-
premacy which dazzles the understand
ing to contemplate would result to the
United States.
For this magnificent Developments Mr..
Merry pronounces three conditions nec-
essary:
First-A rigid exclusion Of Mongolian emil
grafton
Second-The encouragement Of o desirable
| Caucasian emigration, as far as practicable Of
| our own people, from the states east Of the
| Rocky mountains
Third-The construction OF the Nicaragua
canal at as early . date as possible, to give us
| : cheap and short transportation route under
our control, which shall supplement Abe work
| Of the present and future railway systems to
| reach the Pacific.
| Al rapid development Of wealth. industry
| and population. without the canal, is an inn
possibility. Until that Is completed we must
| be content with such comparatively slow
| growth as expensive transportation necessiA
| tates. In the councils Of the nation we have
| little voice, because we have few votes Our
| interests have too frequently failed to receive
| from congress the consideration that they de-
serve. But with the opening Of the Nicaragua
| canal the Pacific will become the theater Of
our future achievements, and the American
| ilsx shall 20 afoat once more for Il has surely
been an erroneous policy that has permitted
| TIA decadenco Of our ocean carrying trade.
!. ~. ,t.u, - cha Golden Gate ra., Al