Washington telegraph., 1854-09-20
The Memphis Navy Yard.

Much excitement still prevails at Men,
phis on the subject of the Navy Yard. 1t
was determined, by public meeting of the
citizens, that the question of the acceptance
of the donation of the Yard to the city
should be deferred until the meeting of
Congress; but the last Eagle & Enquirer"
says that the majority of the City Council
are in favor of immediate acceptance, and
intimates that such will shortly be their ac
ton. That paper has always strongly con-
demned the acceptance, but says that even
this would be better than the vascillating
course heretofore pursued by the Board
The citizens have cleared their skirts of the
odium of an acceptance of the donation,
and if accepted, the blame vii! attach, ex-
clusively, to the City Council Board. 1t is
said that the Board intend accepting it for
the purpose of exhibiting a grand display
of munifcence by Offering it back to Con-
gress. Surely this is too grea; a risk, for
Congress might refuse to receive it. and the
Council would not gain much glory in Of
fering to return a gift which they had no
business to accept at first.
We believe that Navy Yard at Mem
phis is a work essential to the interests Of
the South and West, and that the reluctance
usually manifested in appropr!ating money
for this object, and the ridicule with which
it has been visited, have been caused by
selfish and envious influences in the Allan
tic States. The idea Of a Navy Yard seven
hundred miles from the ocean, is hooted at
as supremely ridiculous These superb
specimens of selfshness pretend not to
know that these seven hundred miles are
along the waters of the mighty Mississippi,
whose majestic and powerful bosom would
heave as gently beneath the burden Of
squadron, as some of the Atlantic harbors
now honored and caressed by government,
and dignifed with the name Of Naval sta
tons.
A Navy Yard at Memphis, properly
managed and fostered by the government,
would assuredly become of great national
importance; and the South and West, in
view of its ultimate advantages, should per-
sist in demanding its continuance. Timber
for shipbuilding can be had for years to
come. and the Mississippi, at high water,
can float any sized vessel to the ocean. 1t
would become, too, nursery for seamen-
for seamen born in the West and South,
and imbued with Western and Southern
feelings-for seamen devotedly attached to
the great valley of their home, who would
bear abroad over the wide waters of the
ocean, the sterling characteristics of South
ern and Western character, and bind them
imperishably up with the wreath of our Ma
val glory.
We regard Memphis as occupying a
commanding position, in relation to the So
cial and commercial interests of this region
of country Situated near US, it forms a
connecting link between Arkansas and
the Eastern States, and is more nearly
identified with the interests of our State
than any other city. It's prosperity and re-
sources, moreover, render it valuable ally
in all works of improvement. 1t has ad-
vanced ahead Of u.s. and holds out gener-
Gus hand to help US On our way. The ben
efts resulting from an intimate intercourse
with Memphis, would not be one-sided, tend
ing to build it up into magnificent city at
our expense. The benefits would be mutu-
al. As national citizens, desiring the wei
fare Of our common country, we desire to
see the Navy Yard at Memphis kept up by
the government. AS citizens of Arkansas,
consulting our private interests, we wish to
see Memphis flourish.