The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-08-31
SU orceHter =
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 81, 1925.
INTERM4L IMPROVEMENT.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
1t is astonishing to observe the extensive
preparations making in the different parts of
the United States to facilitate the communi- |
cation between different and distant sections
of the country. II is but few years since,
when canal was matter OF wonder amongst
rable extent looked upon as too great an I'M
dertaking for our infant republic. Our capt.
talists were contented to employ their funds
in successful traffic with foreign nations, igno-
rant of, and Indifferent TO, the internal re-
sources of their own. The success of the
great Western Canal has opened their eyes,
and operated like an electric shock on every
part of the country. There is scarcely portion
of it but what is now turning its attention with
animated diligence to this newly discovered
source Of wealth and national prosperity. The
different States seem to be stimulated with
spirit of emulation to excel each other in mag
nifcent projects of this municipalities which,
few years ago, would have been deemed not
only chimerical, but as indicating in the mind
that proposed them little less than madness
Who, ten years ago, would have thought of the
practicabiliiy, to say nothing of the profit, of
Canal connecting Boston harbor with Com
necticut river, surmounting all the obstacles
opposed by billy and even mountainous
country' Yet in this day of light, the sober
slak aof nhr ~ ,to
lied for rash undertakings where revenue was
concerned, has confessed itself no indifferent
spectator to the rapid advances of sister States,
and has proceeded, though with cautious steps,
to make the preliminary preparations for the
accomplishment of such project. The con-
nexion of the Ohio with the Chesapeake, and
Lake Erie with the Ohio, ia no longer talked
of as mere matter of speculation, but of actual
experiment. The reports Of our engineers con-
corning the construction of tunnels through
mountains, and Of lockage over the ir SUBMITS,
are read with no more surprise than if they
concerned the erection of common mill-dam,
so accustomed have we become to contem-
plate undertakings of such vast magnitude.
When we look back few years, and re-
fleet upon our incredibly concerning the fea-
stability of such enterprizes-when we think
OF the host Of objections which ignorance and
cautious prudence raised against Gov. Clin-
toms splendid conceptions OF internal commu.
nications, and now look around and behold
them either realized, or in rapid progress to-
wards successful experiment, not only in the
State of New-York, but in almost every por-
ton OF the United States-we are struck with
surprize al the vast leap which mind has taken
from doubt TO certainty. from hesitating eau
ton to bold achievement. Even the plan OF
humboldt, for opening water conmunica-
ton between the Atlantic and Pacific, over
the lsthnus of Darien, and by the way of the
Colombia and Missouri rivers, is no longer re-
garded as the revcrie of an imagination heated
into extravaganza by an enthusiastic philoso-
ply, but is contemplated as legitimate con-
clusion of sober science, not only capable, but
almost certain, at some future day, of pEacti.
cal illustration.
When we contemplate what has already
been done, and what is projected with rea-
sonable expectation of accomplishment, in
view of the vastness Of the designs and the
extent OF the means necessary to put them in
execution, we may say, with MIR. Burke, I" fic-
ton lags after truth, invention is unfruitful,
and imagination cold and barren"