Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-07-21
HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

There is perhaps no subject so intimate
ly connected with the future pecuniary
prosperity of Wisconsin, as the construc-
ton Of harbors on the western shore OF
lake Michigan. Indeed, the improvement
Of harbors on our lake coast, is so directly
blended with our present and future inter-
ests, that it should be made the paramount
object to be obtained, especially by the peo-
pie Of the eastern portion of this territory.
And for the purpose Of bringing this sub
ject more directly before The minds of our
fellow citizens, we propose briefly to con-
slider our present condition and future pros
pecis.
A superficial observer would undoubted-
ly pronounce the present conditioner our
territory hottering IN the extreme. A shrewd
economist, we apprehenG, would arrive at
very different conclusion; and though we
make no pretensions to the discrimination
Of the latter, still our deductions from the
premises before us, lead us to results which
are any thing but lattering, relative to our
present situation in point of pecuniary pros
perity. We know full we'll that the hold
ing forth of an opinion that our territory is
not at this momen, in the full tide Of sue
cessful improvement, will perhaps be ex-
tremely unpopular with many of our rea-
ders. Our population have been so accus-
toned TO listen 10 one continued strain of
defamation, lauding the fertility of our
soH, the salubrity Of our climate, and our
unparalleled natural resources, that many
probably have been led to conclude, that
the sunshine of prosperity has arisen in full
glory upon our territory, and will continue
to shine uninterruptedly, with increasing
brightness throughout future time.
But unless the light of history teaches
false lesson, the superintendent productive
ness Of our soil, is not the legitimate pre-
cursor of wealth. Fertile lands and genial
climes are among the natural blessings Of
Providence, but they have ever been but
secondary considerations to the power and
riches Of states and nations. No people,
eithe: ancient or modern, ever rose to dis
tinguished greatness, simply from the fact
that they inhabited a country rich in its ma
tural productions. From the earliest peri
Cd Of civilization to the present time, COM
merce has been the primary and legitimate
source Of nations prosperity. Whate-
yer may be the natural resources derived
from the soil, commerce opens the avenues
Of wealth. A nation with all the spontane-
Gus produce Of the tropics, deprived of the
resources Of commerce, is like fat, I'M
wieldly, land diseased body, without strength,
elasticity, and vigor of action. By the aids
of commerce, the cities of LacadRmon
arose to that proud eminence which distin-
guished them from the more fertile portions
of the east. Ancient Tyre, though sur
rounded by sterile rocks and ferbiddlng
soils, rose to wealth and greatness, with her
merchant princess" by the commercial
enterprise of her people. Alexandra,teo,
once the mart of Egypt and of northern
Africa, dwindled into insignifcance when
shorn of her commerce; not all the exhu-
berant productions Of the regions watered
bv the Nile, maintained the affiuence OF her
people after her merchant ships were dis
persed and her caravansaries destroyed.
In the history OF modern Europe, the same
;nvoriable results have followed commercial
enterprise. England owes her present ex-
allied rank to the merchant fleets that trans
port the produce of her industry to every
cline, and bring back the wealth Of distant
nations.
The same invariable laws of trade which
have governed the world in all ages, are in
the general applicable to us. Every state
or territory, which does not produce with
in itself, all the consumable wants Of its
population, is necessarily subjected to the
losses or gains, which result from the trans
actions of trade. What then is the condi-
ton Of Wisconsin, Does our territory pro-
duce all the necessary articles of home con-
sumption? If not, have we an available
equivalent Is the balance Of trade in our
favor or is il against use Let facts SPEAK: