The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-02
The Nicaragua Canal Protest-Its Impraeti-
liability.


liability.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD
In little work, recently published, called "The
lsthmus Of Panama, find some statements concern
ing the great Nicaragua canal scheme which, if cor
rect, are calculated to present that enterprise in
somewhat different light from what it has been gene
rally held.
1t is evident that the public has been pretty tho.
roughly humbugged in this matter, and that after
all that has been said about the feasibility Of the
undertaking, the facts in the case show it to be
totally imprscticable. Yet somehow it has been
kept before the public, and the stock run up TO
high 6gure until at last it has been presented TO
European capitalists, who, on looking il over, at
once decide that it is . visionary scheme tina, can
never be carried into successful operation, and, Of
course, refuse to risk their capital in it.
Several companies have organized before this, for
the purpose Of constructing ship canal some
part Of the Isthmus and have alike found their ef
forts to obtain foreign capital rejected, although
acting in good faith, and believing their plans
practicable; the only result being that Of
confirming the opinion of cur neighbors over the
water, that we are people who plan more than We
can execute, and that we are dependent upon their
money to help out-or their judgment, to keep as
out Of peeuniary difficulties
That such ID not the fact, however, the success Of
the Panama Railroad Company, and The eagerness
OF English capitalists to take the stock most fully
proves.
This last, or the American Atlantic and Paei6c
Ship Canal Company, for cutting canal across the
State OF Nicaragua, possesses one very important
feature Of which ali Others have been deficient,
viz the ability to make money OF the monopoly
cedtd to them. IN the exclusive right OF way for
twelve years, whether the canal is constructed or
not.
:.
has been duped in believing that the company woald
build he proposed canal, and that it had simply DIS
posed Of the right to use its territory, there
fore has Jet about its reclamation, in which il will
most likely succeed, and this Nicaragua bubble
will then be 'bursted," while the San Juan will be
left TO roll for ages yet to come, unobstructed by
locks, end Lake Nicaragua win not be burthenei
with steamships or merchantmen. .ncr will the
mountains be hewed down to the level of the sea,
any other body of water capable of feeding ship
cara).
From the work above alluded to, we End
that summit level of five hundred an3
eight feet is to be allowed in crossing from
Lake Nicaragua to the Pacf, ocean; and
therefore, it is impossible to raise stuff eent body
of water TO feed ship canal AT this elevation Mr..
baly, an English engineer, who surveyed the route,
abaI doned II for the more feasible one through to
Realejo, distance Of two hundred and sixty-four
miles, embracing two rivers, two lakes and land
cut of twenty-nine miles. Mr. Baily seems to have
adopted this canal project as an especial hobby,
convertible into ship canal, and also of the album
dance and cheapness Of provisions the great numbers
Of native laborers who would be glad to work for
three rails day. &c, il a Of which, he was vastly
tanned at any price, sufficient to feed the hungry pas
sengers who cross this country and for inducing
q native to work, the thing is impossible. But
above all the idea Of converting the San Juan river
into ship canal, with its rapids and sudden eleva
lions Of from twenty to thirty feet from low water
mark. and then as rapidly subsiding, is most pre-
posterous
The truth is, there has been too little common
sense exercised in the contemplation of these schemes,
and the simple fact that it Is profitable business
to run passenger ships to San Juan, has alone sus-
tanned the project from sinking long ago.
The experiment of constructing the railroad
across the Istbmus of Panama, shows conclusiveiy
that the estimated expense of labor has invariably
been too low Every days work in that country
costs not lees than five dollars, and no estimate
could safely be made without reckoning the cost Of
1900 laborers, for ten years, to accomplish such
work. Add to this the cost Of materials and sala-
ried officers, and it would be found that 100 600 900
would not cover the expense, and at last, when
pleted, the revenue would be insufficient to keep
it in repair.
These statements are quite different from prevail.
ing opinions, but they are sustained by practical
giLeers, who have had experience in that country.
Much is said in favor Of the Nicaragua route, on
the ground that it is more healthy than thai Of Pa
mama; hut such is not the case Put fifteen hua-
bred men on the bank OF the San Juan, TO cut
canal grade track for railroad, and the ques-
ton would be soon settl.d IsTHMUs.
THE TrRSERs' FESTIVAL IN CIYcINNATr The
first national festival of the German Turner's (says
the Cincinnati Gdsate, OF September 2c,) held 10
the Mississippi VALLEY commend ano yssteydsy 9rnr
phia Baltimore Boston, Indianapolis, Columbus, Louis
vile St. Louis, Hamilton, Dayton and other cities. the
grand procession formed at nine o'clock Walnut
street the right resting Liberty and moved through
several principal streets in the order published in yesr
says Gazette The turner's all dressed in the aDe
light uniform Of the association and marched six abreast
with military precision and time, keeping regularity
The Louisville Society bore splendid white silk flag.
which We learn was presented TO them by number OF
American LADIES os Louisville. On side is German
Inscription and the other fne painting representing
the Goddess Of Liberty trampling upon the and
scepre. The PittsbuIg Tuners also bore very hand
banner At half past ten o'clock the procession
preceded TO Ross Hill at the head Of Vine street where
there is spacious CT greensward and admirable
place for exercise Their approach TO the ground
announced by the firing Of artillery and the cheers of
half hour given for rest after which portion Of the
military detailed 10 guard the enclosure From the
speakers stand addresses made in German by Mr.
Neist president Of the Cincinnati Association, and by
other gentlemen. From IL TO IL O'Clock spent in
sword musket and gymnastc exercises By the Turner
int persed with vocal music by members Of the Lied
ta,e az : sagarbund table, capable of seating
thousand persons spread out upon the ground sui
the company sat down to great feast for which their
appettes shapened by vigorous exercise and the
bIacpg atmosphere OF the hills. After feast, the
Turner'S gave grand exhibition Of their skill in gymnas-
w tue
Lieder made the woods resound with tbec glorious
melody At Fix o'clock the procession again formed and
marched TO their hall Walnut street where the prizes
some thirty-~ere distributed to the most excellent
gyTnasts congress of farmers will be held day at
their halt tho festival will close With graui bali in
the evening.
Court OF APPEALs, SET, 2S-hetinns decided -
Bliss Creighton, appelle n.s sat Houe hion aough-
ton respondents; appeal dcontiDued ssh costs by
sert; Ralph Lockwood council Tisd4s appellant OCT
Grant and otheIs respondents motion to 3miss appeal
granted with costs; ~ Eth jr., for motion Samuel
Stevens oYpoed Gilbert. appellant, agt 1onfkns and
another iespondents motion to dismiss appeal granted
with costs y. Ai jr. for motion. Samuel Bssrcsley
opposed Vest. appellant agt RoblnSon, respondent;
motion to dBniss appeal granted 10y defaults N. Sill,
r for motion Coax appellant, 3et Dickersou and ano
thor respondents; motion ass appeal; granted with
costs Of mot,n without rrtuliee; " Brewster FOR
ton sanay opposed In Fargo appellant It. Hotter
end anchor. orjHnts; No. IS the calendar: abb
r.isu upon pIuted currents enc pcin.s John Clarke
for appellant. Charles u wight Cor RESPONDENTS
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