The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-03-11
Monument TO Rob,t Fulton.

Monument TO ROb't Fulton.
Some time back we urged he erection of a
monument to the memory of Robt Fulton,at
Cairo, Provided the Company owning that
place would permit the public to take hold of
it, and there build a city, that point would be
admirably adapted for the ste ola monument
TO the memory Of man, who may be con-
sidered the father of steamboats,, 1t could
be seen from any point seven miles up the
Ohio, six miles down the Mississippi, and al
most like distance from above. There the
steamboat interests of the West CENTRE All
the trades OF Western rivers, comprising
nearly twenty thousand miles of navigation,
seem to concentrate at that point, and seek
their way to the South. The boatmen from
all quarters could there see the monument,
while if it were at any point on the Ohio
river alone, Mississippi steamboatmen could
never behold it when engaged i'll their reg
ular vocation. Whether Cairo goes on or
not, there should be founded the Fulton Mon
ument, if it is to be erected at all. But we
have positive assurances from gentleman
who is proba bly, more interested in Cairo than
any other man. and yet who from his pecu-
liar position towards the Company would be
less interested than almost any other person,
in making misstatement relative to that
Company's contemplated operations--that
operations lciH commence there this spring.
AS some of the finest and greatest speci-
mems of steamboat perfection at this day:
afoat in Western waters are to he found on
the Mississippi river, we think the monument
erected to the memory of the progenitor of
steamboats,, should be at point where trav
elers and crews on those steamers might
have recalled to their remembrance him who
laid the foundation OF that which in its pres
ent greatness and beauty of perfection they
are so directly realizing.
The Louisville Journal in speaking Of this
monument says:
We are pleased to learn that an associa-
ton is about to be formed for the purpose of
erecting splendid monument to the memo
ry of the ilIustrious Fulton on the margin of
the lower Ohio. Nearly forty years ago, Full
ton purchased large tract of land on the
Ohio river, just below the present manufi,c-
turing town of Cannelton, foreseeing no doubt,
at that time, that the immense coal beds
which underlay it would at some future day
be used for steam and other purposes. Re-
cent movements in that quarter have abund-
antly indicated the wisdom of his views.
The hills at that point are exceedingly
lofty and picturesque, commanding an extend
cd view OF the river, and they are filled with
the very finest sandstone with which to con-
struct the proposed work. In other respects
the location is eminently appropriate, as it is
on the banks OF the great river on whose DO
som a thousand steamers are continually
floating, each one of which illustrates the
splendor of his discoveries. We entertain no
doubt that the necessary funds can be raised
by voluntary subscriptions to accomplish the
work; for what steamer is there which now
masters the currents of the Mississippi and
its tributaries-which traverses the lakes the
rivers or the seas-that will not contribute to
this noble scheme? What man who desires
10 perpeiuate the memory of great deeds and
great services will fail to participate in this
appropriate plan of paying honor to one of
our greatest benefactors
The time is suspicious too when a few bad
men are seeking to break up the foundations
of the Government bv arraying one section
against another, for the people to testify their
gratitude to one who has done so much for
oar comlnon SloIyi anu ny TIC dpPllcd'lon 10
navigation of that great agent which now
moves the world created ties OF interest
which must forever defeat all the views OF
those who seek to divide the Union When
the eye of the voyager rests on the pro-
nosed column, If he ever had treasona Die
thought, he will stand rebuked by the me-
mortal which at the same time honors the
dead and stamps his discoveries with public
appreciation. This noble project. we under
stand originated with some gentleman in the
East, and has already secured the co-opera-
ton of some Of our most distinguished states
men. 1t cannot fail to meet with hearty
favor in the West, where the greatest fruits
of Fulton's Iabors have been realized"