Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1844-05-02
Wabash and Erie Canal.

Our columns have been lately so much occupied with Other
matters tina, we have not had time TO notice the Reports OF
Senator Woodbridge Of Michigan, from the Committee on
Public Land, and the minority Report Of the Hon John W
Davis, Of the House of Representatives, from the same
Committee in the House, in reference 10 the grant Of Publ,
Lands by the Government for the extension Of the Wabash
and Erit Canal from TeITe Hauie TO Evansville. We hone
we shall find room shortly for the publication Of both these
valuable and Interesting Reports in fulL. We shall cheer
fully DO 80 If possible. They pl1ce The necessity Of N,
g'antty Congress Of the Public Lands Tor the continual in
Of The Canal in he siTor gest light. and show most conclu.
sively that while the work is National in its cha ac,er ir
The highes; dcgiee, the Government Of the United ,ta,cs in
a Pecuniary Of view, will be greatly benefited by The > amt
IN the increased value and sales of the Public Lands. the
alternate sections being reserved by the bill TO the United
States.
We do not hesitate to say, that The very moment the gran,
Is made, the sales Of the Public Lands the whole length Of
the line-lands which have been in market upwards Of
thliy years, unsold, and which for yeas will remain unsold
unless the grant is made-will Immediately be brought into
market and readily disposed OF.
That the government, by the grant, viii he as much or
more a gamer, than the State of Indiana. we do no,
doubt. Our limits do not allow US TO enter into a review
oi all The advantages of Tins great work when completed
from the Lakes 10 the river. That it will be one of the
cheapest, safest and most expeditions routes fer goods
from the East TO the valley Of the Mississippi. n sinnlr
glance at the map will demonstrate. Not only New Eng
land, New York, Ohio, Indiana, bat the whole Southern
aud Southwestern States are interested in tie completion
OF tiis great national rork. The s;oppase of it at Terre
llauie, without completing it To the Ohio. we consider
a national loss. That the members from Illinois should
oppose IT, is not unnatural. This work abandoned. or
not opened to tie Ohio, they hope for the transportation
of all goods destined below the mouth Of the OHIO
through the Illinois canal, via Chicago. The policy. as
II appears 10 US, Is narrow and contracted; and while we
feel disposed to aid our n~eighbcrs in all their laudable I'M
deriakInss, we cannot but regret their opposition to "A
WORK so important TO our own interests. The navigation
"f the Wabash no doubt may be improvcd,-we trust it
wi be,-and will lend all necessary aid in our power to
elect t;-but II seems To us, knowing the river rs we
do, that the idea Of perm0nont improromenf, so as 10 make
1t na,isable IN the months of June, July, August, Sep
and October, when as an outlet 10 tie Ohio for the
Canal IT is most needed, is chimcrical.
The continuation of The Canal TO the Ohio. is tie only
outlet which is certain. and safe. and practicable. in our
opinion; and such we believe is The opinion Of seven.
of oil who know anything of the matter. So far
as the State is concerned, we believe if a vote was taken.
"ineieen-twentie'hs Of all our population would vote for
grant to the canal instead Of The river.
Connected with his subject, we cannot pass without
notice. The attacks which have been made Ivy some of the
papers connected with the River interest, on Gen. How
ARD. We deem them unmanly and totally unwarranted
~ ;he statement of facts connected with his mission 10
" a~shington. Looking alone to the interest Of the State.
len. Howa I'd could perform no more acceptable service to
lis fellow citizens, than to get the grant Of land for the
canal; and such we know is the view Of all disinteres,cd
'ers"ns, OF all who have not permitted their feelings to
get the better Of their judgments.
In conclusion. we have to say, that the thar k Of our
'eop'e are due to Senator Woodbridge and Mir Davis for
h'ir valuable Reports and we trust. hope and telieve
nat The grant will be procured. Certainly, no member
rom Indiana, at all regarding the Interests Of his constt-
tents or tho interest of his State, con fail to yield il
lis hearty support.