Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-11-09

He W tsconS!n Enquirer Oh The oUth
ult., contains a labored article which ap.
pears designed for our especial benefit,
and the edifcation of the intellectual pub
lie. Some two weeks ago we took occa-
sion TO comment upon an article which
appeared in the Enquirer on the subject Of
harbor appropriations. Our remarks it
seems have called forth long rcoinder.
in which the editor strives hard 10 make
out clear case before the public in sup-
port Of his position. This is all well enough.
provided the editor Of the Enquirer had
not based great portion Of his arguments
upon false premises he attributes re-
marks to US which have no existence in
the paper 10 which he aludes, and thus
having assumed ideal premises, draws
what he probably regards as very CO.
gent conclusions. This method OF dispo-
sing of matters may answer for some lati-
tudes, but will scarcely find favor in this
section.
The great burden Of the Enquirer's To-
gIc is TO prove TO the people of Wisconsin,
that Milwaukee is far the most important
point on the western shore Of the lake for
the construction Of harbor, and that the
citizens ofthe Territory should direct their
energies 10 the attainment Of this object,
regardless Of other claims. Indeed. the
editor would have the people Of Southport
distinctly understand, that if they do not
yield their claims for the present, and wait
until Milwaukee obtains an appropriation.
they will be regarded as mere "dogs IN the
manger." This would truly be astounding
intelligence to our good citizens, provided
they could be made to believe that the
Enquirer, is the organ of public sentiment
on this subject.
The Enquirer seems to have fallen into
an error in common with many others on
the subject of harbor appropriations. The
ground is assumed, that Congress in ma
king appropriations for the construction Of
harbors on the western shore Of Lake Mich
lgan, will have exclusive reference TO the
wants Of the people of this Territory
This reasoning may satisfy those who do
not know that government never constructs
a harbor for the benefit of any particular
Iocality-the protection Of vessels and the
accommodation Of the wants Of the greatest
number, has ever been the expressed policy
of the government. Harbors are national
property, consequently their location is
made irrespective Of State or Territorial
boundaries. No one can be stupid enough
20 suppose that Congress will grant appro-
priations for the construction of Territori-
al Hdrbors, regardless of the wants of
other sections Of country. Now simply
because Southport is situated near the
southern line Of the Territory, there are
those who labor hard, to make the people
believe that the country south Of our Ter
ritorial line, is mere chaos so far as the
consideration Of har6ors is concerned. But
we apprehend that Congress will not stop
10 take our territorial line into the account,
but will act with reference to the greatest
good to the greatest number.
The people Of northern Illinois have as
strongclalms upon the general government
as have the people of this territory--they
have paid as much money into the nation
al treasury, as the people Of Wisconsin.
The northern counties in the state are as
much interested in harbor at Southport,
as are the southern counties in the terrific
~. We have assurances Of the influence
Of our Illinois friends, to aid in obtaining
an appropriation for this place. Can there