The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-12-05
.Ir,uphis Convention,


We give in another column the resolutions that
were passed by the Memphis convention. which
embody all its Recommendations. On ne9rIy all
the topics embraced in these resolutions, fgil re-
ports were made to the convention by committees
appointed a, the convention in July last. These
reports, embodying a vast amoun, Of important
information, i, is designed, we believe, to pub
lsh in pampnle, with the official proceedings.
committee was also appointed 10 prepare an
address to the country on the various topics en-
brsccd in the resolutions, and another to prepare
| memorial to congress on the same subject.
1t will be observed with surprise, on reading
the resolutions, tina, although the convention cor
daily recommend the construction Of ship ca
nal to connect the great northern lakes with the
Mississippi, there is nothing said Of the route by
the Illinois river. hitherto looked upon as BY
far the mos, feasible, If not the only practical one
This omission is thus accounted fur by Mr. Wal
tiers, Of The State Register, who attended the con-
ven,ion, and was chairman Of the ship canal CON-
mitiee: "Judge Ellis, delegate from lndisna
and member Of the ship canal committee, insis-
ted and urged with all bis eloquence and ability,
Iha, the WcJah should he introduced among the
suPPose1 practicable routes for the ship canal.
We bad the honor 10 be chairman Of the commit
tee, and could only defeat bis motion by our cast.
ing vote, the committee being equally divided
The committee thus decided that no route what
ever should he named in their report; bu, that
general brgumen, in favor Of the importance and
necessity Of such a work should be made, leaving
the engineers Of the government aud congress
in the practical science Of the one, and the Wis
dom Of the other, 10 determine on the bes, route
for the canal"
The resolution in reference to western armo-
~ is also general in its terms. recommending no
place for its location, although Fort Massac. in
this state, had by cOmpeien, men been decided to
be the mos, eligible location in the west On
this subject We have the following in the State
Register: "Tae western nsiionsl armory was
mos, strongly urged npon the convention by the
delegates from Illinois; but here again local jea-
lousy sprung up: and the committee. as in the
case Of the ship canal were equally divided upon
The question Of naming For, Massac as the place
Tor the armory. On, more vote 10 committee,
aud the convention would have recommended
Massac. AS it was, the convention unanimous.
ly and strongly urged on congress the immediate
construction of western national srmory."
One Of the most gratifying as well as encoura-
sing circumstances connected with the conyen.
lion, Is the active participation in and cordial op
proval Of its proceedings by the great southern
statesman, John &. Calhoun. This has united
the whole south with the great west ia the sup. !
port of western interests, and has given moral
force to the proceedings Of this convention, tina,
Congress will find i. difficult to resist. The
sthct and sound constitutional views entertained
by Mr.. Calhoun, SO ably and clearly stated by
him on taxing tho chair as president Of the con-
ventIon' and adopted by that body as their text.
book kept them within the strict bounds of tho
W. "i' tNctT RECOMMENDATIONS, anu
gives them The impor,an, merit of asking nothing
INA, no. strictly just, proper, and clearly within
the power Of congress, and incumbent ON ii as a
high duty to grant, Fears were entertained and
freely expressed before the meeting Of the con.
vention, TINT II would become infected with the
robber.spirit of,he execraled "American system"
and launch firth rccklessly into the widest and
ansurdcst unconstitutional schemes, thus Destroy
ing It's influence and relarjing instead Of expedl-
ting justice to the west; but happily, whatever
ground there may have been for these fears, the
presence and influence Of Mr.. Calhoun averted
the danger, aud the convention took ground at
once high and impregnsble, and onc that wiNse-
cure respect and attention to the so long neglcc-
ed interests Of the west.
-----r------------ $500
Buck rabbits ore suid to be furious animate
Hence the expression .sriescc as o buck rabbit"