Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-02-15
NETWORK LEGISLATURE.
FROM THE RATIONAL rSrrLL1ekNcEH.

New-York, which is of sufficient i'm
portance to claim insertion entire, did
room permit. We must, however, con-
tent ourselves with an extract of part OF
it, and brief notice of the remainder.
The speech thus begins, with the sub
ject which seems hrstto have presented
itself to the executive Of every one of
the governments of the republics
"Since the last session ofthe legislature, the
dstresses of the community have continued to
increases and in consequence of the general
uneasiness excited by this unpropitious state
Of things, meetings have been held
in various places to solicit your interposition.
Immediately on the termination of the late
war, fatal blow was given to the manufacture
ing interest by the importation of vast guam
titles of foreign fabrics, neither required by
our wants or our comforts. In all sections of
the country, and i'll all descriptions of society,
Che progress of extravaganza and luxury has
been alarming. In individuals, expenditure
has exceeded income; and in our collective
capacity, as nation, the aggregate value OF
our exported productions has been greatly In
ferior to the cost of fore gn commodities. The
demands of foreign markets for the products
ofagriculture have been diminished by state
of general peace; and the perncious multi
plication of banking institutions, and the inor-
'dinate diffusion OF paper currency, have pro-
duced the most serious calamities. In cases OF
this description, government may alleviate,
but can never remove the evils. The conser-
vative power over the general good is at all
times vested in the great body of the people
and, in the present Crisis, it consists most en-
,phatlcally in the retrenchment OF our expenses
and in the augmentation of our industry.
"The sources OF the prosperity of nations,
as well as of the happiness of individuals, must
be formed and cherished at home. The sea-
son of suffering cannot, however, be of long
duration. vast capital, now unproductive
and unemployed, will soon be applied to ami
mate the efforts of useful industry and the
renovating power and enterprising spirit Of
our country must predominant over the obsta-
cles which have -conspired to check its pros
perty. Whatever measures you may adopt
will; | am confident, be marked by a sacred
regard for private rights and public utility.
And would suggest to you whether portion
OF our funds might not be usefuly employed
DO loans tor the purpose of alternating the
pressure on the community.
"The favorable condition of the treasury
end the high credit of the state, are equally a
subject of congratulaton. With the contnu-
Ance of our present system of finance, we will,
am persuaded, be enabled to defray the ex.
pense of government, to evince the usual mu-
nificence of the state, and to prosecute our in.
ternal improvements without any resort to new
burdens, and with reduced rate of interest"
Ofthe operations under the act for the
the encouragement of agriculture, the
Governor next gives favorable account
The connection Of the great interior in
terests of the state with system of in
ternal Improvement, naturally leads him
to view OF the progress of the magnif-
cent undertaking of the state of New
York, the Grand Canal, of the state of
which the following acceptable account
is given:
"The completion of the middle section has
Already opened markets for fertile and ex-
tensive region. The expense of conveying a
barrel of -four by land to Albany from the
country about the Cayuga lake, was more than
twice as much as the expectation of one from
Eew-York to Liverpool; and the difference
between the former and the present cost Of
conveyance will not only remunerate the ma
nufacturer, but afford an increased compensa-
ton to the agriculturallst, independently of the
rise of the commodity in value, from it's being
furnished with good market. 1t is believed
that our Atlantic country will soon be supplied
with salt from the west, cheaper than from
abroad, and the revenue from the salt works,
appropriated to the construction of the canal,
slready exceeds the most favorable estimates,
and shews conclusively the importance of this
communication to the accommodation of vast
country. In the progress of the canal, gypsum
Of the best quality has been discovered; and
it is ascertaned that this region contains suf-
&cient quantity Of this invaluable mineral, for
the supply of the whole United States. Here
fotore, the principal ingredients of hydraulic
mortar were procured at great expense from
abroad, for the construction of locks but a
species of rhinestone has been found, dispersed
over the whole country, admirably adapted for
water cement, and entirely superseding the
necessity of a foreign supply. Stone for the
construction of locks, culverts, bridges, and
aqueducts, is also found in abundance and it
is confidently believed, as well from the geo.
logical character of this region as from various
other indications, that coal will be discovered
amply sufficient for domestic uses and manufac-
turing establishments. The animation which
this work, in its present unfinished state, has
given to our internal trade, cannot be duly ap.
preciated without the advantages of personal
observation, nor can all its blessings be realized
or displayed, until years of experience have
passed away"
The length of the western section OF
the Canal is stated at l63 miles, and OF
the eastern at 81. The whole expense
eff each section it is estimated, will be
nearly the same, and the aggregate cost
of both four millions of dollars. 1t may
be finished, the speech suggests, in FIVE
years.