More than a generation ago Thomas H. Benton. statesman and prophet. standing in the city of Saint Louis and advocating the building of Pacific railroads. stretching his arm westward said: "There lies the road to Asia." He portrayed the prosperity and the wealth that woul conie to this country when over the iron track of those railroads the oldest empires should pour their riches into the lap of the youngest. Now. when we have built our railroads girdling the entire contineat. when we have reached the Pacific coast. we are told that we must stop. we are told that we must not reach our hands further and gather in the wealth of Pacific and Asiatic commerce. I have read in the papers that already merchants in California have lost large sunis from the withdrawal of Chinese commerce. That but forebodes what will happen universally in California.