The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-03-12

ness Nnen surrounded with all the
choice gifts and abundant blessings of
nature, shall we render ourselves misera-
BILE, and blast all our future hopes Of hap
piness and prosperity! Shall Illinois
become the withercd flower in the nation.
al wreath 1
Next in importance TO the payment of
the interest, is the progress and compile
ton of the Illinois and Michigan canal,
which may truly be considered as one of
the greatest and most important in It's
consequences of any work of any age or
nation. The climate, soil, and capability
of productions of the country which will
be benefited by the construction Of this
work, will certainly equal, ifthey do not
surpass, any other part in the United
States. This canal is the key to the fer
tile valley of the Mississippi-once COM
pleted, and it will open a communication
for the transportation of the abundant pro-
ducts of the country, and become the
great thoroughfare between the South and
East; it will iustil new life into every
department of business; the useless prairie
will be transformed into rich and beautiful
farms wealthy towns and rich manufac-
tories will spring into existance; the emf
grant and capitalist will be eagerly pou-
ring into our country, and the prairie state
will soon be as wealthy and prosperous
as any in the Union.
The canal is now half completed and it
possesses fund nearly sufficient of itself
to finish it, and all that is required at the
present time is the credit of the state to
sustain it until the canal lands can be sold
to advantage. To attempt to force them
into market at the present time, would
only be sacrificing the canal property /;
for it is the certainty of the completion of
the canal alone, that is to give them a
value. If we fail to carry on this great
work, we shall show ourselves utterly UNI
worthy of the great and important charge
conlided to us by the General Govern
ment We shall incur the ridicule and
contempt of the other states. The capt.
alist would leave Illinois, and the emf
grant would shun our state as region of
pesti!ence and famine, where he could
hope for nothing but poverty and wret-
chedness. To avert this unhappy state of
things, we appeal to the Governor, as the
guardian of the public good, as the civil
magistrate of a sovereign state, as friend
to the peoples interests, to interpose and
save us from sinking into infamy and dis
grace. We-appeal to the citizens of Hi
nois, as they are interested in sustaining
the faith and credit of the state, to unite
in imploring the Governor to again as
semble the legislature, as the last aud
only hope now left.
Let us not stop TO enquire where the
blame is to be attributed; let us not at
tempt to arouse those sectional and bitter
party feelings, which have brought about
such disastrous consequences: but rather
lei us look to the public good. Let us
show determination TO avert the impend-
ing danger, and save the state from ruin.
We call upon the people to assemble
in mass meetings to express their opn-
ions, and to transmit their proceedings to
the Governor. Let us show TO the world
that though we may for time be eInbar-
assed by unwise legislation, yet we are
resolved to use all laudable means in our
power to sustain the interests, TIE credit,
and faith of our state.
After some remarks by Mr.. Leland upon the
present unfortunate condition OF the affairs OF our
State. the committee on resolutions reported tn
following preamble and resolutions which having
been scverally read, were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, We have learned with the
deepest regret, that our legislature have
adjourned without having made any pro-
vision for the payment of the interest
which will shortly become due on por-
ton of our public debt, and without hav-
ing devised any adequate means for the
further prosecution of the Illinois and Mi
chigan canal-measures in which the in
tegrity and honor Of our state and the pro-
sperty and best interests of her citizens
are alike involved:
find ,Uhereas, Unless something is
speedily accomplished for the maintenance
of her character and credit abroad and the
protection Of her interests at home, the
name of our state is destined soon to be-
come a bye-word and reproach amongst
nations-her glory the deienceless victim
of inefficient legislation-and her inslitu-
tons an enduring monument of political
folly:
And ,chereas, The present is the only
moment in which action can be attended
with the faintest hope of success in rescu-