The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-10-23
THURsDAY, oCTeeGR Is. ls45.
WABASH IMPROVEMENT CONvEN-
iHiON

HUN.
We publish this week the proceedings of
a Convention held at Ylncennes in Sepiem-
Der last, TO deliberate upon the best means
of attempting the improvement of the nav
igation of the Wabash River.
Although not included 10 the list O. flour
nails, within whose columns the publication
of these proceedings was solicited, we give
them a place with great pleasure, aud beg
to assure our Wabash friends that we feel a
deep interest in the success of their enter
prise aud earnestly hope that something may
be done speedily, towards the accomplish
ment oftheir wishes.
The impression has very %unjustly prevail
ed among a portion Of the Wabash People
that Evansville is inimical 10 The improve
ment Of the Wabash river, and that she would
rather retard than advance any movement in
its favor. Such, however, is by no means
the case; our citizens have too much discern
ment not TO perceive that the interest of the
Wabash Valley is identical with their own,
and that The prosperity of the one must ne
~cessarily promote the prosperity ofthe other.
We are satisfied that permanent navigation
of the Wabash river would be followed by a
permanent trade with our town, and could
not, therefore, reasonably oppose any mea-
sure which promised such result. All that
we .have ever commended for was, that the
Wabash could not, without an expenditure
far greater than we could ever expect either
from Congress orthe States interested, be
made navigable Cor more than six months 10
the year, and that during the remainder of
the year The canal was ESSENTIALLY necessary
TO supply its place. That the unbounded
fertility and productiveness Of the Wabash
Valley required a constant outlet for lis sur
plus, and that without the extension Of the
canal 10 Evansville, such a permanent outlet
as the wants Of the country required was moi
attaiaable. We entertained this opinion
from along acquaintance with the Wabash
river, from frequent personal observation Of
lis capabilities, and from the concurrent les
timony of experienced, unprejudiced boat
men, and scientific engineers, and We set
nothing in the Report OF deliberations Of thi:
Convention 10 establish the contrary. We
readily grant, however, that both channels o
communication are necessary TO a prope
development of the immense resources Of III
county through which they run, and we tru:
VIII prevent any citizen of the Wabash Val
ley from giving 10 both the encouragement
and support which their relaiive Importance
demands. I've shall cheerfully Cooperate
with the friends ofthe river in promoting ih
views of this Convention and we most sin
cerely hope that a similar feeling of amt
will be evinced by them in favor of the cana
There is no occasion for a clashing OF inle
esls, and no good can result Grom il-uniie
We may accomplish all we respectively d.
sire,-divided, and long years may i~nterven
before either measure is crowned with su,
cess.
We are glad TO perceive that a very alb,
Committee was appointed TO prepare a m,
mortal 10 congress, and we have no doub
that, il they SET forth in a strong Eight as the
can do by satisfactory statistical details, I'll
great losses which annually occur from ii
present condition of the river, ani show no
materially the growth and improvement
the country is retarded for want of more pc
feet navi gation-asking at the same time
moiety of the unappropriated lands on Il
western side Of he river TO remove the ev
of which they complain, every delegate
Congress from Indiana, nay, fom the who
West, will favor their petition and that eyei
ually it must be granted. Congress c.
we'll afford 10 give one half where the
mainder by the gift is made more valual
than the wholc,and when two great and flo
ishing States are TO derive mcalculabIe
vantages from the donation it cannot 10
be withheld.
GIVE understand that NIr. Lallrop,
Engineer employed in accordance with
resolutions of he late Convention at Vince