The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-20
LeyeeinR the Mississippi.

We are pleased that Congress has taken ZIP
! this measure, so important TO the prosperity OF
the South. The bill proposing an appropria-
ton of swamp lands in Arkansas to construct a
| evee along the boundary line of that Sta &c has
been discussed in most sensible and s;ilisfac-
tory manner This is a measure in VIII; ch the
aid of the Federal Government is inv oked for
the protection of a most important interest. Ii
is emphatically one of those cases where the
common means should be applied to protect a
particular interest; vel we do not see how the
principles of those who deny the constitution
ality of the River and Harbor bill, or of the
| Cumberland road, can allow them to vote for
an appropriation Of public means, TO preserve
the whole delta from submerslon, ny more than
they can allow its valuable l,roddct to be pro-
tected by duty on foreign sugars. But we
approve of the construction of public dyke
upon the banks of the Mississi ppi as measure
of substantial protection to the South, because
| it is necessary. Its construction will prove
that the benefcent influences of the Union are
not partial, but are bestowedupo every member
Of the Coniederacy that will apply for or ac-
cept them.
The extreme uncertainty of agriculture upon
the banks Of the Mississippi has caused many
planters of sugar and cotton to abandon the cul-
ture of these articles. The wayward current
of the mighty river has threa tened New Or
leans with destruction, and has subjected
its citizens to immense losses and expense
This has led to a commission of inquiry, which
has reported plan for the preservation of the
city and the protection Of the lands. A con-
tinuous levee is considered necessary, and i'm
mense waste gates proposed to drain off the
excess of the annual freshets into the bayous
which lie parallel with the course of the river,
and afford it an outlet to the gulf. This sys-
TEN will, we do not doubt, as effectually pro-
tect the arabic lands and the city of New Or
leans from the future entertainments of the
Mississippi, as the embankments of Holland
protect its populous provinces from the German
ocean and the Zuyder Zee.
| To construct, however, this levee will re-
quire the cooperation Of all the fuvial proprie-
tors, probably the assistance of the States. 1t
is plain that, if, through want of means or of
interest, any portion of this extended line shall
be left open, the general interest must suffer
| Upon this state of things the swamp drainage
bill is founded. The theory of this bill is that,
inasmuch as the Federal Government is the
proprietor of much unsaleable swamp land, she
would aid the State ofArkansls and other States
to protect and reclaim these lands, by the con
struction Of the proposed levee. This princi-
pie Of the bill is identical with that of the bill
recently passed, granting alternate sections of
| the public lands 10 construct railroads through
the public domain. We suppose that it was
thus framed to meet the scrupes of that sec
ton of the Locofoco party which denies the
constitutional power Of Congress TO construct
or contribute to internal improvements; whilst
they believe that the Government. as a pro-
prietor, may contribute to improve the value Of
its own property. Now, VIC quoted, yester-
day, the manly and sensible argument OF Mr.
BowLIN, who does not ask the appropriation Of
land to the Pacific railroad upon any ground
of cop oprietorship. We still rely upon that
argument to prove that the Federal Govern
mcnt may make ga pure naked donation of her
public lands--not even assuming the disguise
Of any other pretence."
|
whether the increased value of the public do
main would Justify the cost Of constructing and
maintaining the Federal proportion Of the pro-
posed levee. we doubt whether the Govern
mcnt would be justified in giving one dollar.
We presume that all the land upon the Mssis-
I sippi which is arabic, as well as much that is
not has been already entered, and is the pro-
perry Of private citizens. A large proportion Of
this aluvial land must be private property
| The remaining lands, subject 10 nundation
are scarcely fit for habitation OF culture We
presume that an inquiry directed upon the
principle Of profit and loss would make it the
interest Of the Government to abandon the
swamp lands to the mosquitoes and reptiles, or
10 employ the money in opening some other
more attractive region Of country. With four
teen hundred millions acres Of public lands
with a war debt unpaid, and a very expensive
and growing territorial family around her, we
think tho Government can. at the present time,
better do without swamp land than money.
! Upon the narrow calculation Of direct interest,
we are satisfied that the Federal Government
should not engage just now in a question Of dis
puted boundary with the Father Of Waters.
But when it is remembered that tho agricultu-
raj interests of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Ar
kansas arc annually subject to the ravagcs Of
inundation-that lives and property are swept
ef-that these very swamps are, according to
! Colonel BENroN. the home of the wild beast
and the source Of disease, when, in a word
the construction Of this levee will protect the
property Of our citizens and promote their hap
Pincss-then every consideration Of interest
| falls into insignifcance. II becomes the duty
Of the Government TO give its aid. Her paltry
interest as andhoider is unworthy considera-
ton. IL is the cutivator Of the soil, the mer
chant, the mechanic, every vessel that enters
the Mississippi, every fatboat that floats
upon IFS waters, that she is protecting Tho
success Of the cotton and sugar crops promotes
alike commerce and production.
The completion of this important breakwater