Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-02-26

pie would reap great benefit from a sta
billy in their affairs, as a judicious sys-
tenn of internal commerce would create
a certain proportion, or level, in all the
departments of industry, that could not
be readily disturbed by the wars and VI
cissitudes ofothcr powers. From changes
OF this description, over which we,had no
control, this country, in several instances,
has experienced shocks, and sustained
losses, which would far exceed (as it is
reasonable to conjccture) the aid or ex-
pense necessary, on the part of the ge-
neral government, for the completion oil
such artificial roads and canals, and i'm
provements in rivers, as would satisfy, in
this respect, all the exigencies OF the
country.
Among the many objects of improve
ments in inland navigation, some are IL
mited, aud within the means OF individual
and state enterprise; others are OF a
character too extensive, their productive
ness depending on Improvements to be
made in different states, at great dis
tances from each other. The great and
important line Of inland communication
contemplated along the Atlantic coast,
would be beneficial, in various degrees,
to more than one half the states in the
Union; yet, no one or two states would
have sufficient inducements to furnish
the necessary means for the completion
~of any of its parts; nor could union OF
sentiment be scarcely expected, among
the states through which it would pass,
as to the particular routes, or modes OF
execution. Such objects are great and
national, requiring one general head, and
consequently, the aid of the general CO.
vernment is rendered Indispensable, as
well US regards the funds to be furnished
as the facility Of execution. Objects OF
such transeendant importance to the vel
fare and defence oil the nation must be
perfected by the general government, or
their perfection can scarcely ever be ex-
pected Had we waited for the Joint
agency Of states, more than an age would
have passed before we should have seen
road constructed by the union of states,
equal, in national design and costiiness,
to the road from Cumberland to Wheel
ing. Objects on the large scale of na-
tional benefit are creatures oithe Union,
the scope and views Of the state aathorily
being local in their nature.
The committee will further observe,
that, antecedent TO the existence of the
general government, several states could
not have perfected an object of this kind,
without entering into some understanding
or compact in the nature of treaty, IN
the character OF independent states; but
serious doubts may now exist on the SUBJ
iect; as states are not allowed, by the
to enter into any agreement
or compact with each other, it will at
least be difficult to say how such power
can be exercised by The state, which could |
be enforced, unless by corporations, III |
perpetuity, or by the consent OF Congress.
The committee will not undertake TO
make researches into the history of the |
rise and progress of canals and internal |
in ancient or modern |
times in foreign countries; but tie task |
is an agreeable one, to pursue, without
partially, the public spirit that has pre-
vailed on this subject in many OF the |
states. The works that have already |
been constructed are SO many evidences
Of the opinion Of the people in favor OF
their utility beyond their expense, and
from them much experience has been
derived, as to skill and economy, that
will be very useful hereafter. Their IN
Auence should operate as persuasive
inducement to the general government
to begin her own great work tor her own
benefit.
As to most Of the Improvements that
were perfected prior to 1908, the COM
mittee will refer the house to a Report
Of the Secretary of the Treasury, dated
the 4th of April of that year. This plain
and valuable document contains more
on the subject in general than
is to be found any where else. Since
that period, great efforts have been made
towards internal Improvements, but the
do not possess an accurate
knowledge as to their extent, and even
if they were to embrace all the public
that are within their re-
it would too much enlarge
this report; a few objects will therefore
be selected.
In Massachusetts, magnificent work
or dam, mile and three quarters in
length, has been constructed, to connect
the town of Boston with the main land,
at an expense of about six hundred thou
sand dollars. An allusion need only he
made to the patriotic and laudable efforts
of the state of New York, as to grandeur