The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-12-19
ADDRESS.
TO TIE CITIZENS CT THE STATE OF
INDIANA.

ETIC ~ 0@No "a NtHAN nACA - ~
termlne whether the hopes, INDUCED in by the
numerous friends of the Wabash aud Erie Ca
nal, as to tue completion OF this grea; work are
to be realized or not. is now at hand. The OBJ
Ieet Tor W hich we have long toIled-which unites
IN itself our various Interests as individuals, as
Il stflte, as a nation-is now within OUT reach.
Let US make one further effori-let US clearly
aud emphatically express our feelings on this
suhject-let us call on our Senators and Repre-
seltatives in Congress, to second our efforts-to
carry out our leeiings-to stand by and protect
our interesis-and that object is accomplished.
| Are Arguments needed to rouse US to action!
The mere statement of the work proposed, en-
bodies IN Iiself, such. as no force of rea soniug
can successfully oppose. The simple exhibition
of the object of the Bill for which we pray V. is
sufficient 10 satisfy every rejecting mind, that a
measure OF greater importance has rarely, il
ever been laid before the people. Let facts
be submitted TO prove the truth of this posi-
ion.
BY the act of Congress, Of March 2nd, 1927,
granting TO the State of Indiana each alternate
section Of land along the line OF the Wabash and
Ere Canal, for the purpose of completing that
work to some navigable point on the Wabash
river, Il was provided; "ThaI said Canal. when
completed, shall be, and forever remain a pub
nc highway for the use of the Government OF
The United States, free from any toll or other
charge whatever tor any property of the United
States, or persons in their service passing through
the sanle,' Thisa anal, then was completed
10 the town Of Lafayette on the Wabash aud
is now in successful operation. After a full ex-
ANIMATION of the matter in all its bearings il was
decided that Terre Elaute was the uaviGable
point within the meaning OF said act, and when
completed TO this point, the Canal will furnish a
line otInteuial nayigation. from lake Erierto
Ter!e Haute-a distance Of about 300 miles
presenting the nobidst work Of the kind, in the
! United States.
Here, then, We see the design OF the Genera
Governments, TO opens direct line OF copmuni-
cation, between the-North and the South tie place
the resources and the products OF each, at the
service OF the other; and to extend to both-as
well as to the East and West-the blessings OF
a complete aud perfect inland navigation. That
design was worthy OF its source. 1t had nothing
local about it. Il was national in every re-
spect.
Why, then, is it asked, do we see an extern
sion OF The work: Why, being national in is
character, do we ask is. completion to-a point
not designated in the original gram?
We reply 1t is because Ills a national W ork,
that we thus seek its extension. 1t is to car
Fry out the design of Congress, in its Commence
nent, that we ask its completion to- the Ohio.
1t. II we're local in Its character, we could not
do this. But@ because-as far as the United
States are conference.-the ternina ton al. Ter
re Haute, endersit perfectly useless Sas 4 pub
lie highway Tor the use of the goyernment;'' we
ask lis completion TO Evansville, on the Ohio
rivera point, which is, at all times, ga navig-
avn ne - Z ptiu ma thN
is not aavigdble ,on an average, more than 5our
months inthe year. The distractions at the
Rapids of that river, render it useless as a pas
sage for boats, longer than this perod.-And
the scarcity of water in that stream,-as well as
the character of its banks-places its improve
ment forthat purpose, entirely out otthe question.
1t must be conceded, that the the Wabash has no
navlga6le point, within the meaning OF the Act
of Congress, above referred TO.
The question then recurs; shall this great
work remain-as far asthe design OF the General
Government IN its creation. Is conc erned-a
useless one! Shall thatnoble design be ADAM
dOned and the country denied the blessings IT
can confer? Reason, and a patriotic regard
for the common welfare of that country, loud
ly answer, No.
But by what means shall this design be car
ried out? The a nswer is an easy aud satisfac-
} tory one. BY completing the Canal commenced
under the system of Internal Improvements in
| Indiana; and thus connecting the Wabash and
Erie Canal with the Ohio river, at Evansville.
The southern portion OF the Central Canal ter
inmates at this point. Let the connection be-
tween it, and the Wabash and Erie Canal, be
made,by means oil the Cross Cut Canal; and the
work is complete. In her efforts to second the
plain of the General Government, the State OF
Indiana has expended the sum of .092 90.
But she can proceed no further. Burdened
down by an enormous State Debt, she turns 10
the General Government-mere neeply interest
: ed than herself-praying it TO carry out the de-
sign OF its original grant, by cedlng toner each
alternate section of the unsold lands through
which this Canal is to pass; or so much thereof,
t as may enable her to complete the line OF COM
munication between the Lakes on the one side.
and the Ohio on the other
THIS IS her prayer. And tits TO urge you,
F~ellow-Ciizens, to call on our Senator'S and
l Representatives in Congress, to present and Rress
I this petitlon, to watch over, defend, and secure,
the great interests involved in this measure, that
we now address you.
What are those interests! Muitiform in their
character, they extend to, and affect, every
: portion OF The community. There is no interes
among US, which it does not reach. The far
mer feels it because it increases the value OF his