Year: 1873

[prom the Philadelphia Press, Sept aT,l


Now let us look at the North Pacific Railroad
itself q subject intensely interesting to hundreds
of thousands. The great objective point has
been attained in the completion OF the road
from the head of Lake Superior to the Missouri
river, about six hundred miles. now in operation
This furnishes communication by steamboat
with the Upper Missouri and its tributaries, en-
bracng a navigation OF over thousand miles
1t also affords the shortest line, cheapening
transportation to the settlements and military
posts of that vast region. The saving to the
Government in the transportation of military
supplies amount to several millions OF dollars
annually, and. as will be seen at q glance, the
road adds enormously to the facilities for reach :
ing distant points in time OF war-a vast cOnsld-
Grafton of itself alone. Apart from this is the
greater question, the adjustment OF Indian diff
Notwithstanding many millions annually-and
now in the sure process OF settlement by the
rapid advance Of emigration and the develop
ment of the outlying territories. Already Eas-
tern Oregon Dakota, Warrington, Montana, and
Idaho may be pointed to as the trophies of the
success Of the Northern Pacific and prove the
argument in favor of its continuance. The
IDork lDH 90 on. No order has been issued TO ar
rest its progress. But from this statement of it's
progress and necessities, present and future.
it is evident that it is too vast machine
to be managed by any one company un-
aided by The GOUernment The interests invol-
ved-national and individuRl-the credit of the
country at home and abroad. the sure apprecia-
ton of all our public lands, the hundred OF
thousands of people of all classes who hold
these bonds, will create a pnblic opinion that
will be irresistible upon Congress, and we hold
that no statesman Of any party will stand up to
oppose remedy which will only require the en-
dorsement OF the Government to make il effec
tive. And as there can be no loss to tho Gov
eminent in extending its aid, inasmuch as the
proceeds of the sales OF the lands of the COM
pany will not only pay to the Government any
amount it may advance on account Of interest,
but the pushing forward of the road itself will
immensely enhance the millions OF acres OF
lAnnds still held by Government and now
almost inaccessible.


We are led to these remarks because certain
newspapers have predisted that this great work
will now be closed That is impossible. Our
immediate welfare and honor demand that it
shall go on and especially our empire on the
Pacific. History from it's earliest date proves
that every nation-from Carthage and Venice,
from Spain with her galeohs, from the Dutch
Republics down to modern England with her
East India possesslons-which has commanded
the commerce OF the East. the trade of the ORR
ent and the mighty traffic of the Pacific Ocean,
must control the world. And our career, just
begun in this illimitable field, will need more
than ever great continental artery to circulate
the rich blood of the nations. England and
France are already to tue fore with the Suez
Canal and the India railroads, and We must meet
and master them at every hazard.