WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
223
its accomplishment on the safest terms? I think it is; and I am disposed to regard this as the only practicable and feasible measure that has been proposed in relation to the construction of this road; and hence I am prepared to vote for it cheerfully. If the Senator from Ca)ifornia, or any other gentleman in this Chamber, can suggest a more feasible and practical plan than this, I will with great cheerfulness support that plan; but until · such a one is brought forward and explained to my plain com- prehension, I will not abandon this proposition, as I think it the most fair, the most wise, the most reasonable, and imbued with more intelligence than all the propositions that have been made on this floor in relation to the construction of a Pacific railroad. If seems to me that the impatience of the honorable gentleman from California is so excessive that he absolutely wishes to construct a road before a route has been selected. He is de- termined to have a road right off, without giving time to make surveys, to grade it, or do anything else. He is intensely anxious for it, and is resolved to form a connection for fear California will be alienated from the Union. Sir, California has no encouragement to leave the older States. She is an adopted child. She is dependent on them for her crea- tion, and no State has received more liberally the munificence of the parent Government than California has. She has realized millions of benefits. And what, sir, of her gold that we are told about? She brings us gold, to be sure; but does she give it to us? I reckon not. Her citizens take the liberty of going on the public lands of the United States and digging gold, and they are paid for their industry. They have the material, and they would be very worthless if they did not work it, when it costs nothing except a little labor. I do not think that places the older States under any obligations to California. As for the idea that she is going off, I do not think there is much in it; or if it should be attempted, it will be merely a little frisky fit, and we shall all meet at the city of Mexico about the time Texas will get there. I think it very probable that our extreme southern border will extend to the city of Mexico by the time California reaches it along the Pacific coast, according to the suggestion of the Senator from that State; and we shall be harmoniously reunited, and remain so without any further dissensions. It will be such a reconcilia- tion that we shall not stand in dread of any future separation. I have no disposition to reflect upon California. I have always
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