The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-28 00:00:00

LEVEEING THE MISSISSIPPI.

The commercial convention which met at Louisville
last October recommended to the States of the Lower
Mississippi Vally that they should adopt a uniform sys-
tem for the protection of their lowlands, and suggested
that the whole matter be remitted to private enterprise,
like any other work of internal improvement. The State
of Louisiana—more vitally interested in the question than
any other—promptly responded to this suggestion,
and by legislation last winter, chartered a com-
pany under the name 'of "The Mississippi Valley
Levee Company." We have never doubted that
this subject should engage the attention of Congress. It
is intimately connected with onr national finances. To
increase the production of sugar retains specie in the
country ; while to increase the growth of cotton puts
exchange to our credit abroad. How much the cotton
crop. of 1869 has had to do with our approximation to
specie values we are not prepared to say ; but certain it is
that our export to Europe of 1,500,000 bales during the
last six months has not been without a marked effect on
our currency. We believe Louisiana has put this matter
into a shape in which it can be successfully handled. First,
it is obvious that a uniform system was absolutely neces-
sary ; and, secondly, it is plain that private enterprise
is the agency through which alone the work can
be successfully and frugally accomplished. It is a
noble 'mission, that of rescuing from the domain of the
alligator millions of acres of land, portions of it capable
of making from one to two hogsheads of sugar to the acre,
and 'other • portions capable of making from one to two
bales of cotton. If Congress can see its way clear to
assist this enterprise, and even strain a point to do it, we
trust it will. The best way to make the South peaceful
is to make it prosperous. Let her people feel the power
of the Government otherwise than as evinced by its
bayonets. A people busy at work and making money
are not prone to rebellion. Congress should not adjourn
before doing something in the premises. For
five years these magnificent lands have been at
the mercy of midsummer floods. We apprehend
that the people of that region are not able to protect
themselves without some help from the Government.
Besides, the most important of the Southern levees were
cut during the war by our troops, for national purposes ;
thus giving an additional claim on Congress. The first
Pacific Railroad has been built, and it is worth all it cost.
Let the word go out that our next work must be to re-
claim the prolific lowlands of the Mississippi. It will do
much to give us more abundant cotton and a better
currency. This work should be done by a
company. It cannot be so cheaply nor so quickly
done by any Government, National or State. It
should be done quickly and thoroughly. So much being
assured, the Federal Government should extend to that
Company such aid as it may need, because the work is
indispensable, and of public and general importance. Let
private enterprise do its utmost, and let the Government,
taking ample security, aid that Company so far as is in-
dispensable, by guaranteeing its bonds rather than by
subscription or subsidy. The Government need not help
it nearly so much as it will help the Government by en-
larging the area of profitable industry.—New York Tribune.

THREE THOUSAND HOGS ROASTED
ALIVE.

The stock-pens of Gaff's distillery, in Cincinnati, con-
taining 4,200 hogs, were burned on May 11. Three thou-
sand hogs were roasted to death. The scene is said to
have been as grand as it was horrible. Great columns if
flame, fed by the living fuel, shot upward thousands of
feet, and rolled off in dense masses of black smoke. The
outcry of the frightened animals, as they crowded one
above the other into the corners of the pens remotest
from the fire, until its rapid approach first scorched and
then consumed them, awed the spectators, who stood
looking helplessly on. Every effort was made to save at
least a portion of the hogs, the greater proportion being
hopelessly cut off. But a little over a thousand of the
animals were broiled
out in all, and the rest of the 4,200
were literally broiled alive. The odour of burned or roast
pork pervaded the city for many blocks in all directions
after the fire died out for want of fuel. The loss on live
stock alone is estimated at 60,000 dols. The loss on the
buildings is estimated at from 25,000 to 35,000 dols.