Speech #490032485

It is a sufficient answer to the argument to say neither the Government nor the people of the United States are under obligations to protect investors in the Panama Canal. and that the aid granted by Congress to the transcontinental railroads was not granted for the sake of the investment but to open up new lines of transportation and develop the country. not for the benefit of the Government so much as for the benefit of the people at large. and that neither the Government nor investors in those roads have any just claim to protection at the expense of the interests of the general public. * Compared with the rapid growth of some other Northwestern States and Territories. Washington Territory and Oregon until quite recently have made rather slow progress. In the early days of the settlement of that region the long. toilsome journey across the continent required to reach it from the Mississippi Valley was a great obstacle to immigration. although thousands braved the hardships and perils of the journey. became thepioneers of American civilization there. settled the question of the title to the country by actual occupation. and laid the foundations of its present prosperity. California. when gold was discovered within her borders and fortunes were being made in a day. drew largely from the population of the Territory of Oregon. which embraced what afterward became Washington Territory. and a constant drain has been going on for the last twentyfive years from the population of Oregon and Washington Territory to Idaho and Montana Territories. After the completion of the Union and Central Pacific Railroads California. with her mild climate. rich mines. fertile soil. and diversified industries. separated from Oregon and Washington by a disagreeable sea voyage. proved an obstruction upon the principal line of travel between the outside world and Oregon and Washington. and largely absorbed the immigration to the Pacific coast. The growth of the Territory in wealth and population has. however. been continuous and permanent. At present the North Pacific coast is feeling the impetus given to it by connection with the railroad system of the East and increased immigration. During the last three years. stimulated by the opening of new lines of transportation. including the completion of the Northern Pacific Railroad to the Columbia River. the development of her great natural resources has been greatly accelerated. But the increase of population has been in a healthy way. and the stimulus of her industries has not been unnatural.