Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-04-04
Flrst Boat Launched for Canal Navigation


day last, and on Saturday, the citizens Of
that place paid our town visit. The boat
is named after Gen. Fry. the former State
Trustee of the canal, and is of fair pro-
Portions-Mr. Porter is the proprietor
We did not ascertain the number OF
persons that were on board on the arrival
OF the boat. but every part of it was liter
ally crowded. On It's arrival at the Lower
Locks in this place, it was received amid
the deaiening cheers Of large number of
our citizens. who were collected at that
point. An address was delivered by G.
u. A. Parks, ESQ.,, of Lockport, from the
boat, which was replied to by w E. Lit.
tie. Esq, who had been selected for that
purpose ny the citizens of this place The
utmost good feeling was evinced by those
who were present.
1t was the request Of the committee and
the desire of many who were present, that
copies of the addresses be furnished TO
both papers here for publication In &C.
cordance with this, the remarks of Mr..
Little were handed to us. with the expec
tatlon that they would follow those of Mr..
Parks but as we have not received a
copy of Mr.. Parks address, We conse.
quently cannot lay il before the pub
lilo. We know no reason why we have
not been furnished with copy. as we
learn, the True Democrat" received one
II is a matter, however, about which We
shall not grieve.
The following are the remarks of Mr..
Little:
SIR:-On behalf the citizens Of Joliet
and vicinity, Itender you. and through you
the citizens OF Lockport now present, a
cordial welcome ano extend thanks fr
the attention they have paid us by this
visit, and the f1auering terms in which
you, sir, have been pleased to notice our
town.
You have done US the honor TO pay Us
the first visit which has been made on the
line ofthis magnificent canal, through the
medium OF navigation. And TO the citizens
Of Lockport belongs the ere lit of having
launched aud started the first boat to be
employed tor purposes of Navigation or
the Illinois and Michigan Canal-the firs
to cause ripple on the at present clear
blue stream which is to constitute main
connecting link between the west and the
east-which is to unite the great Missis
sippi valley, with its unlading beauty anc
eXhausiless resources. TO the more advant
ed but less favored states on the Atlantic
coast. How magnificent will be the un-
ion What vast consequences may flow
from this contamination And. sir, you
will unite with me in hoping thatthe bonds
TO g ow out of intimate social and CONNER.
cisi relations, which are to unite US with
4 the scenes of Revolutionary contests
with those parts of our common country
but lately far distant, which, to us, are
honored above all other lands by their
having received the first blood poured oul
| for American Liberty, may prove indisso
|
tional misunderstanding a chain which
will long bind remote parts of our glorious
country in one harmonious whole. This
event is calculated to call into vivid recoI
lection. the scenes of the past. 1t incites
US, while considering the purpose of thi:
, great work and the ends il will accomplish
to look with an affectioBate gaze to those
shores where our fathers lived. II remind.
US of their trials and sufferings, and ex.
cites within US emotions of gratitude e
them and to the Providence that guidec
. them, for those blessings Of civil and reli
gous liberty which have enabled us Il
becoms a mighty people. No iron HAND
Expresses us-no despo;ic ruler para we.
our energies. But our young Republic
. reaping the fruits ofthOse tolls, is march
, ing on in giant strength. rapidly changin.
continent ofwiderness into pleasant ant
prosperous places.
The completion of this work is no long
: er problematical. Long did the misis q
2 doubt hang around its prospects. but thos
doubts are cleared away. Our stale, q
one time reduced to the verge of bank
ruptcy and ruin as many supposed, becam
wholly unable 10 prosecute this great un
D dertakinY. Despair seized the most san
guine. Business in this part of the stat,
became almost suspended. and gloom sa
on every face. The bright visions which
had been opened by the commencement
4 of this work. were suddenly changed 70
prospects of slow, dull, mOnOtous exist
y ence. Your town. sir, as we'll as ours
felt deeply this change. So low was hop
depressed by these reverses, that it is dill
ficult TO revive ito realize that our cana
: is to be completed. But, sir, this even
: affords practical illustration ofthe fac
n that ire hare a canal, and that that cana
A.. is navigable. This must satisfy ever