The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-24

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In Tue absence OF The inducements which are nresen,ed
~ INC prospect Oh the speedy completion of the canal 10
0~"u'ia'u iof the action OF the corporate authorities
ana The cooperation of the citizens of Washinc,on II
some Efforts 10 develop the commercial advantages and
capacities OF position for an extensive trade there
are independently OF any prospective benefit as we be-
ieve, powerful incentives io their immediate attention
10 'he interests oil the city in the premises Take for
example, the imports and reghts from abroad required
or use and consumption in the Distric-and we adduce
this as example OF shortsghtedness and nfatuaton
without parallel In the history OF enlightened people
We without the of estimating the quantity OF
value OF the articles thus introduced The amount and
value however of less consequence than the fact
that fourffths of the whole are consumed in the city
OF Washington All of know that these freights
passing by our doors, and making circuit of miles,
are carried TO neighboring town; are there land
ed' and thence transported back again on trucks,
or other wheel carriages, to Washngton--the
ket Tor which the articles composing them were prin-
clpally shipped Were cut of from the benefit OF
rlver navigation, and obliged, from the dsadvan-
ages OF our locality to submit the Inconvenience and
increased charges nseparable from such of things
silence and submission would best become us But, il
is not so II is, indeed far otherwise In water accommo
daons, and in all the natural facilities for trade and COM
mece our advantages vastly superior to those of our
neghbors The southeastern limits of our city border
Tor upwards OF mile channel undisturbed by ice in
the winter and unaffected by floods in the spring or sum-
mer averaging as we believe three hundred feet 10
breadth, with capacity to admit ships drawing fifteen
ieet water and combining, as we are assured all the
elements of a safe, commodious, and capacious
harbor. That advantages such AS these should have
been unimproved, may well excite our wonder that
we should continue to neglect them, will be a subject OF
shame and deserved reproach. 1t is clear to our mind
however, that unless population can be made to
see that the prosperity of the city deeply in
volved in this matter than in the drjppings which fall
from fha hl,c Ill.
lies aroused from their stupor, nothing will be done
Our freights will still pursue their crooked route by
the shoa intricate and uncertain navigation to George
town, instead OF finding their way to the heart of
our city from the mouth of the Eastern Branch through
the canal, as originally projected by city fathers
Compared with the results which must follow from the
opening OF the canal to Cumberland the motive have
thus presented does not weigh feather Standing by
itself, however, maintain it is sufficient ground for
present action IT, them would enjoy any benefit from
the object for which our large public debt contracted
If we would invite capital and impar activity to indi-
vidual enterprise let repair the committed in the
diversion of portion of the city canal from its natural
course. Rejecting visionary projects and setting our
faces against further experiments let open by the
way of James's creek to the mouth of the Eastern
Branch and, as way to get IN is not less essential to
its utility than to get out, let put it in thorough
repair throughout its whole course, without delay The
of opening it by the of Jamess creek the
exceed the of $50 900; and of this may
be confidently expected Congress would appropriate
OOO in consideration of the direct advantages which
would to the government establishments the
Navy Yard and on Greenleaf's point. We mean the |
arsenal and penentary. |
If it be objected that city debt already great and
that it is nexpedient to increase it, answer that the
objection, instead of being against the underta-
king is OF much force in its favor Undoubtedly the
debt large and burdensomelage, because of our ina
biy to pay and because adequate are like
ly to be taken to reduce it burdensome because the OBJ
iects for which it incurred are unproducve The |
incubus upon us, and must remain upon for genera
TONS unless effort is made to get rid of it. What
be done! is question Of great moment to us ALL
Perhaps will be best answered by nqurng what un-
der similar circumstances, the lessons be learned
from the enterprises of individuals and of States and
other associations. Do lag or abandon their un- |
dertakngs, when a few thousands of dollars are ne
cessary to complete objects upon which they have ex
pended hundreds of thousands? Would the canal
to Cumberland be completed, Were that the principle
of action which governed its managers Never We
say. then, do others have DONE Do now what is ne
cessary to make what has been heretofore done source
Of revenue-to furnish the community equivalents for
its burdens-to increase the value of taxable property-o
attract capital enlarge population, encourage enterprise
and develop the advantages of position place of
and site for profitable manufacturing indus
Of other communities, and u.s. beside the dictate of reason
and common sense.
Let it not be forgotten that the mines of Cumberland
will pour their wealth upon US; and that, with
all diligence and activity, hardly be ready
to receiv them H.
The best copghdrops for young ladies drop the
or havu in the noh air