USA > Indiana > Early Indiana trials: and sketches. Reminiscences > Part 48
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" The Pacific railway is the most gigantic enterprise the world has ever known, and, onee completed, is destined to revolutionize the trade, travel, and commerce of the earth. But, magnificent as is the project, devoted as I am to its success, and grand and beneficial as will unquestionably be its results, I shall consent to no extrava- gant or reckless legislation; to the exercise of no doubtful Consti- tutional power, in order to accomplish it; and if, unfortunately, it shall so turn out that, without this system of legislation and exercise 32
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of doubtful power, the work must fail, it can never receive my sup- port. In the language of President Pierce, 'We can afford to wait, but we can not afford to overlook the ark of our safety.'
"Mr. Chairman, before this, or any other bill can receive the sane- tion of a majority of this committee, there are a number of important inquiries to be first satisfactorily answered ; the three most prominent of which are :
" 1st. Does the public interest require the construction of the road ?
"2d. Where shall it be located ?
"3d. How, by what means, and by whom shall it be built?
" And to thesc points I shall mainly direct my remarks, and res- pectfully ask the attention of the committee.
"First, then, does the public interest require its construction ? I answer, without hesitation, affirmatively.
" Sir, I can well remember, and I am comparatively a young man, when members of this House came here from the West on horseback -- a long and perilous journey-occupying several weeks. In those days Western merchants had to adopt the same tedious method of travel to and from the Atlantic cities, while they were compelled to transport to the West their stocks of merchandise by the still slower process of the wagon and the flatboat. But what a change has been wrought, by the construction of railroads, in a few years, in the facil . ity and rapidity of travel and inter-communication. In fifty hours this Capitol can be reached from the most remote parts of the country, east of the Rocky Mountains. Construct this road to the Pacific, and the journey from the Atlantic cities to the city of San Francisco can be made in less than six days, and the entire circuit of the earth can be accomplished in ninety-three days! These are facts, sir, which must commend themselves to our favorable consideration.
"Sir, the construction of the proposed road is required by every consideration of duty and interest. It will give employment to a great number of persons throughout the country, who are now engaged in pursuits less profitable.
" Settlements and cultivation will follow the work, and that vast belt of country on either side of the road from the Mississippi to the Pacific will, on its completion, become densely settled with an industrious, hardy, and enterprising population. Our agricultural and mineral resources will also become developed, and civilization, enterprise and wealth will rise up in that country which is now wilderness and waste.
" It will open an outlet for the surplus productions of the interior to the markets of our Pacific States, China, India, etc., on the one side, and Europe on the other.
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" Bnt suppose we become involved in a war with a foreign Power (and such may be the fact, at no very distant period, if there be any truth in the signs of the times); our interest, our duty, and our national honor alike require us to protect and defend our possessions on the Pacific coast, from attack and invasion. How could this best be done? By transporting your men and munitions of war by the slow and tardy way of Panama or Tehuantepec, exposed to the hostile attack of the enemy, and at the expense of millions of money, and the sacrifice of comfort and life? By the overland route, most of the way through a wilderness country, requiring four or five months to perform the journey, at a like sacrifice of money, health, eomfort, and life? No, sir, construct this road through territory belonging to and under the control of our own citizens, and your armies from the Atlantic and Western States ean reach in safety the city of San Fran- ciseo in six or seven days, healthy, fresh, and vigorous for duty, and with but comparatively trifling cost to the Government. Sir, with our present means of communication and intercourse with them, it would eost this Government more to defend and protect our Pacific States in a war of two years' duration, with any formidable power, than the entire eost of constructing this road from the Mississippi to San Franciseo.
" Again, such a road would not only facilitate our mail communica- tions with the Pacific States, but reduce the time between the Atlantie and Pacific from thirty to six days, and enable the Government to dispense with the present odious and abominable ocean mail service, so dangerous and destructive to human life, and which is costing the country millions of dollars annually.
" It will also afford easy, safe, and rapid facilities for visiting our kindred and friends in that distant country ; and bind the States of this Union, East and West, in bonds of fraternal brotherhood as enduring as the snow-capped mountains which now separate them.
" This road, when completed, is destined to become the great thor- oughfare of nations, revolutionizing the commerce of the world. It will, sir, enable the United States to command the carrying trade between Europe and China, with all its resulting advantages to our citizens. These are not declarations merely, but a careful examination of a map of the world, and our geographical position, with a knowledge of the cost, time, and risk of the present mode of intercourse between these nations, can not fail to convince the judgment of any gentleman who will take the time and pains to look into them. But, sir, I must leave these important facts and deductions as to the probable effects of the completion of this road to abler and more learned statistieians,
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who may follow me in this debate, and will pass on to the considera- tion of my second inquiry, with the simple remark, that I have omit- ted many important reasons why this road is demanded by the best interests of the country, and have searched in vain for a reason why it should not be constructed.
" The entire length of the road from the western boundary of Mis- souri to the Pacific, will be more than two thousand miles, through an uninhabited wilderness, passing through mountain gorges, and over trackless deserts ; penetrating a country where, but a few years ago, it was supposed the foot of the white man would never tread. It will require more than one hundred millions of dollars to construct it. All the aid the Government will furnish, and all the private capital which may be induced to seek it as an investment, will be required to complete this single road. IIence, sir, no bill looking to the immedi- ate construction of more than one road by the aid of the Government can receive my support.
"Several routes have been advocated by their respective friends, each claimed as possessing superior advantages over the others. The most prominent of these routes are :
" First, Whitney's route. This commences at some point on the lakes -- say at Chicago, and passing through Iowa, crosses the Rocky Mount- ains at the South Pass, in latitude 42°, thence to the head waters of the Columbia river, the course of which it follows to the Pacific ocean. This route, however, may be regarded as abandoned, and the one recently explored by Gov. Stevens, under the direction of the Secretary of War, substituted, from the head waters of the upper Mississippi, near St. Paul, to Puget's Sound on the Pacific. This is properly called ' the northern route,' because it has its eastern terminus at a point accessible to the northern and northwestern States, and not to other parts of the Union. It passes through a northern climate exclusively, and is therefore liable to all the objections, which can be urged to a railroad through such a climate on account of cold weather, deep snows, etc. But the great objection to it is, that in a great many respects, it is local in its character ; being at one extreme of the Union. It has not enough of nationality about it. But there is another insurmount- able objection to it. Puget's Sound, or even the mouth of the Colum- bia river, is too far north for a direct trade with Asia, and San Fran- cisco is upon a direct line. Again, San Francisco is the commercial emporium of the Pacific coast, and has no rival in Oregon ; therefore San Francisco is the point at which this road should strike the Pacific. Again, one great object to be accomplished by this road, is to bring the Atlantic States in direct communication with the gold regions.
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This can not be accomplished either by a road down the valley of the Columbia, or to Puget's Sound ; for it does not pass through or near them. To reach these regions, the road must be further south.
"Secondly, the San Diego or Gila route. This route has its eastern terminus at some point in the southwestern part of the United States - say at Texas, and passes across the Rio Grande, at or near Paso del Norte ; from thence to the Gila river, the course of which it follows upon the southern bank (the purchase of which is provided for in the late Gadsden treaty) to the point about 114° of west longitude ; theuce across to the valley between the Sierra Nevada and the Pacific, and up that valley to San Francisco. There is also another. eastern terminus proposed for this route ; that is at Memphis, in the State of Tennessee; from which point it is proposed to run the road to Santa Fe, in New Mexico, across the plains from the Arkansas river, and down the val- ley of the Rio Grande to Paso del Norte, from which point the route will be the same as the last named one. This is the southern route. While this route is free from the objections which lie against the northern one, on account of snows, etc .; it is liable to precisely the same on account of its want of nationality. It is too far south. Be- tween these two routes there must be one of a more national character ; more accessible to the different parts of the whole country, and com- bining all the advantages that are to be gained by a railroad to the Pacific. And this, in my judgment, is the route that has its eastern terminus near the mouth of the Kansas river, and running through some pass in the Rocky Mountains, between the two routes already mentioned, and passing westward, through the Sierra Nevada, to San Francisco. This is the central route. It is not liable to the objec- tions which are justly urged against both the other routes. It is neither at one or the other extreme of the Union, but has its eastern terminus near the center, whether we look to the geographical or com- mercial center.
"Sir, if you draw a direct line from the cities of New York or Philadelphia to San Francisco, it will pass near the mouth of the Kan- sas river, varying in its whole course less than two degrees of latitude. If you place your eye upon the map, and look at the lines of railroad already constructed and in progress throughout the United States, and uniting the Atlantic sea-board with the interior, it will be seen that they almost all point to the center of the northwestern States. This is because it is the great grain-growing region, the natural granary of the world. The laws which regulate trade and commerce produce this result. These roads are built by private enterprise and capital, because the heavy trade of this section of the Union, and the constant inerease
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of its population and wealth, give the highest reward to both enter- prise and capital.
" Again, sir, St. Joseph, on the western line of Missouri, is not far distant from the mouth of the Kansas river. The great chain of rail- road from Philadelphia, running due west through Harrisburgh, Pitts- burg, Columbus, Indianapolis, Springfield and Hannibal to St. Joseph, a distance of 1200 miles, connecting the capitals of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and thence through the richest portion of Missouri, is now in a state of rapid progress, and bids fair to be com- pleted in the next two years. Hence this central route will be directly connected with other roads running through nearly all the States of the Union, so that it will be perfectly accessible from any and every part of it. In reference to its accessibility from other points of eom- mercial importance in the country, it is greatly superior to either of the other routes. It has already been shown, that the main lines of railroad communication from Boston, New York and Philadelphia to the West, are tapped at various points by other roads from the most important commercial portions of the Union. Now, sir, if the Pacific road is commenced near the mouth of the Kansas river, in order to reach any pass through the Rocky Mountains south of the South Pass, it must pass through the great plain between Missouri and New Mex- ico, and aeross the head waters of the Arkansas river. At this point, or some other point in the neighborhood, a glance at the map will show it is easily accessible to branch roads from Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans.
" In the month of October, 1849, a convention of the friends of the Pacific Railroad was held in the city of St. Louis, in which the follow- ing States were represented by 835 delegates, to-wit: Missouri, Illin- ois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, New Jersey and Louisiana. Among the delegates to this convention, I find the names of some of our most distinguished statesmen. The question of route was discus- sed for several days, and angry and sectional feelings were manifested. At one period of its deliberations it was supposed the convention would be compelled to adjourn without having come to any definite understanding. At this critical period of its progress, my predeces- sor, Hon. Richard W. Thompson, proposed the following resolutions :
"' Resolved, That, in the opinion of this convention, it is the duty of the General Government to provide, at an early period, for the con- struction of a central national railroad from the valley of the Missis- sippi to the Pacific ocean.'
"' Resolved, That, in the opinion of this convention, a grand trunk
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railroad, with branches to St. Louis, Memphis, and Chicago, would be such a central and national one.'
" These resolutions were unanimously adopted. Here, then, sir, is the unanimous expression of able and practical representatives from fourteen States of this Union in favor of but one grand trunk central railroad. I trust that this House will be quite as unanimous in the settlement of this question.
" And lastly, sir, how, and in what manner, and by whom, shall this road be built? This is the most difficult question to solve of all. The Constitutional power of the Government to construct this road was admitted by the last Congress in making the appropriation of money at the last session to defray the expenses of surveying the various routes, etc. President Pierce, in his message, in speaking of this road, says :
"' That the Government has not been unmindful of this heretofore, is apparent from the aid it has afforded, through appropriations for mail facilities and other purposes. But the general subject will now present itself under aspects more imposing and more purely national, by reason of the surveys ordered by Congress, and now in process of completion, for communication by railway across the continent, and wholly within the limits of the United States.'
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"' The power to declare war, to raise and support armies, to provide and maintain a Navy, and to call forth the militia to execute the laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions, was conferred upon Con- gress as a means to provide for the common defense, and to protect a territory and population now wide-spread and vastly multiplied. As incidental to, and indispensable for the exercise of this power, it must sometimes be necessary to construct military roads and protect har- bors of refuge. To appropriations by Congress for such objects no sound objection cau be made.'
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"' The magnitude of the enterprise contemplated has aroused, and doubtless will continue to excite, a very general interest throughout the country. In its political, its commercial, and its military bear- ings, it has varied, great, and increasing claims to consideration. The heavy expense, the great delay, and, at times, fatality attending travel by either of the Isthmus routes, have demonstrated the advantage which would result from inter-territorial communication by such safe and rapid means as a railroad would supply.
"' These difficulties, which have been encountered in a period of peace, would be magnified and still further increased in time of war.
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But while the embarrassments already encountered, and others under new contingencies to be anticipated, may serve strikingly to exhibit the importance of such a work, neither these, nor all considerations combined, can have an appreciable value, when weighed against the obligation strictly to adhere to the Constitution, and faithfully to exc- cute the powers it confers. Within this limit, and to the extent of the interest of the Government involved, it would seem both expe- dient and proper, if an economical and practicable route shall be found, to aid, by all Constitutional means, in the construction of a road which will unite, by speedy transit, the populations of the Pacific and Atlantic States.'
" The President thus fully recognizes the necessity and importance of the work ; and, within the limits therein expressed, and to the extent of the interest of the Government involved, considers it expe- dient and proper for the Government to aid, by all Constitutional means, in its construction.
" The Secretary of War, in his late report to Congress, in speaking of this road, says :
"'No work for artificial communication has ever exceeded it in extent and physical difficulty. Its execution, however, is within the means and power of the American people.'
" Again :
"' If I seem to have pressed the magnitude of the obstacles to a successful execution of the contemplated work, it has not been to suggest the abandonment of the undertaking, but only to enforce the propriety of much caution in the preliminary steps, and the necessity of concentrating all the means which can be made available to the completion of so gigantic a project.'
" These extracts are sufficient to show that Secretary Davis is in favor of the prosecution of the work, and that he does not regard it as unconstitutional. He is known to the country as a strict construc- tionist, and his opinions are, therefore, entitled to the highest consid- eration.
" The Constitutional power of Congress to construct works of this kind (national in their character) has long since been conceded by our ablest statesmen.
" But this question is relieved from all Constitutional doubt because the road will pass exclusively through the Territories of the United States until it strikes the California line-a distance of more than six- teen hundred miles. No one doubts the power of the Government to construct roads for military purposes through the Territories. The Constitutional power to do this has been exercised each session of Con-
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gress since I have had the honor of a scat here, and perhaps since the formation of the Government. 1
" Ilow far the Government, as a matter of expediency, ought to make appropriations of money to construct such roads through its Territories I am not prepared to say. The bill before us appropriates $600 per mile per annum to the persons who may contract to build the road for the use of the same by the United States for postal, military, naval, and all other Government purposes, as well in time of war as of peace, for a term of years. This is clearly Constitutional, and I am not prepared to say that it is not both right and expedient.
" The bill further provides for a grant of lands in alternate sections on each side of the road to aid in its construction. This grant is iu accordance with numerous precedents, and the established practice of the Government, and is entirely free from Constitutional objections. Sir, I look to this grant of land, and the private enterprise of the country, as the real and substantial sources from whence the means are to come to accomplish this work. I am willing to grant all the lands asked for by this bill ; and, if that shall be found insufficient, to make a still more liberal grant. By this means the Government instead of making a contribution, would actually be the gainer. Who can doubt that the alternate sections reserved to the Government would find a ready sale at double their minimum value ? No one, sir, who has any knowledge of the practical working of this system. Grants of this kind have been made by Congress to aid in the construction of roads of doubtful utility and insignificant when compared with this vast enterprise.
" The Government is the owner of fourteen hundred millions of acres of land, unsettled, uncultivated, in a state of nature. It is her elear and manifest interest to hold out every reasonable inducement for their settlement and cultivation. My doctrine uow is, and ever has been, that, after the payment of the debts for which they were pledged, they should cease to be a source of revenue to the Govern- ment. Sir, the Government ought not to be a speculator in the lands which God intended for cultivation by man. Let no one suppose that the public domain is to be exhausted soon, and that none of it be left for the hardy pioneer who goes West to seek a home for himself and his family. Such an idea would be preposterous; the next cen- tury will not dawn upon the realization of such an event. Make the calculation, and you will find that, according to the ratio of the sales for the last ten years, it will take several centuries to dispose of all these lands. Then, sir, make this grant of lands, make it liberally, and the great point has been achieved. The basis upon which this
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structure is to be erected has been permanently fixed. It will give character to the work, and invite private capital at home, and from abroad, to seek investments in its stocks, promising, in the future, a profitable return to the holders.
" 1 have thus, Mr. Chairman, briefly alluded to the kind and extent of aid Congress ought to extend to the work. Shall the Government construct this road as a Government work? I answer, no! All experience shows that public works can be constructed by private enterprise at a cost of fifty per cent. less than they can be constructed by the Government. This is upon the principle that a prudent man always manages his own affairs more safely and economically for him- self than he can by an agent. Government agents, in the expendi- ture of public money, too often overlook the principles of economy, and the Government becomes the victim of their faithless extrava- gance. The evils of this system may be seen in the history of the times from 1836 to 1841, when the State governments engaged in their vast system of improvements, which broke down, crushing under its ruins, for the time being, the hopes and energies of the people. The scenes of those years are yet fresh in our recollections, and should warn us of the dangers to be apprehended in venturing upon this perilous track.
" Sir, grant the lands, and give such incidental aid as may seem expedient and proper, without violating the Constitution. Let the work to such private companies as will undertake it on the most favorable terms, and in this way you will secure its completion in the shortest period, and on the most economical plan.
" It is, however, a matter for grave consideration whether the road, when completed, should be controlled or operated by the Government, or by the companies by whom it shall have been constructed. My present impression is, that this matter should be reserved, or, at least, not placed entirely beyond the future control of Congress. We should, at least, not surrender the right of regulating the rate of charges for the transportation of freight and passengers over it, so as to have within our control the power of protecting the people from unreasonable and oppressive taxation.
" Sir, this is a stupendous scheme. Its consummation is urged by every consideration of social, political, and commercial interest; and if it can be accomplished by Constitutional legislation, and within the general rules thus briefly expressed, it shall receive my support.
" I will say in conclusion, sir, that there is one other view of the subject which should not be entirely overlooked. It is this : What- ever we may do toward aiding in the completion of this great work,
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