The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1851-02-11

The prospects Of a rise in the Wabash. and
one Of some permanence, are at least good
The value of this trade 10 Evansville has
been made more evident by its absence, than
probably il ever was by its presence. Du.
ring the whole fall and winter, at a season
when we ore generally realizing the full adj
vantages Of the Wabash trade, that river has
been closed. In consequence, although the
Green river trade has been more extensive
than it was ever known before, and our mer
chants better prepared to meet the calls Of
the country trade, business in all departments,
if il has not seriously langushed, has at least
been much depressed II we have been thus
affected by the continued closure of this riv-
or, not less evil have been the effects TO those
towns on the Wabash, from the same cause
cut of from the Ohio river. There are i'm
mense Quantities Of produce in every town,
and at almost every landing on the Wabash
river, awaiting rise. The effects Of this
long delay will prove most serious 10 indlvid-
uals-while almost every business man on
that river must more or less suffer from this
long continued lownsss OF the Wabash.
These remarks are not made idly or with
out object. This winters experience has
proven one thing, Of which many have been
long convinced that in view Of the growing
wealth, population and business, Of the rich
Wabash valIey-of its increasing importance
to Evansville-and Of the annually augmen-
ting demand by the people Of this valley OF
connection with the Ohio river dependent
upon no adventurous circumstances for its
permanency at all seasons-there must be a
railroad to connect the upper Wabash with
the Ohio river. A few years back, and prob
ably almost to the present time, the opening
ofthe Wabash river for few months in the
year was sufficient TO answer the actual de-
mands oil business. And even this may be
doubted, while merchants are wagoning their
merchandise at certain seasons, and all com.
munication must be by the same method al
those times, which form the greater part o
the year. Yet before the actual necessity
Tor such an improvement as that TO which WI
have alluded, had impressed itself upon tn,
minds Of the business men Of the Wabasl
valley, and before it had probably FULLY be
come realized by the mass Of our citizen
here, some men of Evansville, and those
might seem looking more to the indirect oh
iec; Of improving and augmen,ing the growt
-four city, than of especially accommodating
its business. except AZ the one could only b
accomplished by bringing about the other
united their energies and influence, and stal
ted a railroad which is now aiming at til
Wabash river, and will ere long tap lite rio
valley. They seemed to feel the CROWN
Importance Of this trade to our city, and too
along-eighted view Of things ia tho fu,ur,
which has proven correct.
The Importance Of this great improvement
to Evansville is now seriously fel,-it hs
long been known to many-but never belol
this winter has the subject been felt in u
full importance to the Wabash valley by III
business men Of that region. The continue
closure Of the Wabash, has at least been
one benefi,-tliat it has opened the eyes
those interested to the fact-that there nu
be a railroad connection between the upp,
Wabash and the Ohio river. 1t has prove
that we cannot depend upon river whic
may be an unnavigabIe creek at that scasc
when alone any great benefits may be deri
ed from it.
Let this, then, urge those who have en-
barkcd in the Evansville and Illinois RaiIroa
to push on the work with renewed zeal. or
least punciual!y pay up their stock, and ca
nestiy seek by all the means in their power
increase the usefulness Of the improveme
and its value 10 stockholders and this regi,
OF country, by extending it's length. al
speedily completing at least that portion !
ing between this aud the Wabash river.