The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-06-08
CANAL MEETING.

evening, June 9th, Mayor JOHN ,. HOPKINS
was called to the Chair, and A. H. Sanders
and Rob't Robertson appointed Secretaries.
Mayor Hopkins, on taking the chair, briefly
stated the object of the meeting was to take
into consideration the recent outrages OF
band of lawIess men of Clay county, in
cutting away the Birch Greek Reservoir and
Canal adjoining, burning an acqueduct, &c.
to the great injury of the business OF the
Canal and the interests of different communl-
ties, more especially perhaps of this. There
were others present better posted than him.
self in the details of these outrages upon law
and order.
Judge BattelI offered the following reso-
lutions, which he had prepared for the con-
sderation of the meeting. and if deemed ex-
pressive of the feelings of the meeting, for
its approval:
RESOLVED, That this meeting view with
disapprobation, which they can hardly find
words to express, the late riotous proceedings
in Clay county, Indiana, in which such dam
age was done 10 the canal, that, if not re-
paired, will! render useless any communica-
ton by means of it, between this city and
Terre Haute.
1t seems a mob, short time since, masked
and armed, banded together to let out the
water in Birch Creek Reservoir--a reservoir
necessary for the supply of water at certain
periods to the canal-and that when shortly
after men employed by the Trustees in re-
pairing it, the same bandits who had let out
the water in the reservoir, armed and masked
in like manner, drove them away, and su5se-
quently destroyed Birch Creek Aqueduct
1t cannot be expected in resolution like
this, intended briefly to express our views
upon this matter, that it should point out all
the evil consequences which will grow out
of this lawess spirit, unless immediately and
promptly put down. We deem it not i'm
proper, however, on the occasion to refer to
a few. First, we notice its effect upon the
prosperity of our city. Evansville has done
much to procure the construction of this
canal. She was not sparing of labor nor
money in order to obtain donation of land
by Congress, by which the canal between
this and Terre Haute was in part construct
ed; she was first to propose the meeting at
Terre Haute between the citizens more
directly interested and the agent the Bond
holders of Indiana, at which the basis oil
the arrangement was made, and which was
finally carried out by our Legislature, by
which the Bondhoders undertook its con.
struetion.
; We need say nothing of the injury, which
] Evansville would sustain the Canal is des'
5 troyed. The warehouses built with refer
. ence oft, would be useless-lots purchased
on account of ii, sink to nominal value-the
: commerce and trade which she already be
:, gan largely to enjoy by means OF it, will
j. cease and be diverted to other channels
;, But the consequences to the honor and pros
= perity of the State. are what most painful,
= impress US. 1t is known that the bond hold
IT ers OF Indiana, by contract with her, agrees
IS to complete that part of the Canal, which a
O the time of the contract was unfinished. an
:. then to take it in payment of one-half of he
, debt. They have complied with their gree
n ment-they have completed the Canal-they
d have released to the State one-haIf of thei
: debt; but if the authorities of Indiana will
:. not protect them in the enjoyment of il
} they will have valid claim upon her for tn
q amount which they have paid for 1t, which
= probably. at this time, reaches seven million
= of dollars, and thus heavy debt is at one
-, created, which our citizens will be compele
10 pay by means of taxation. But this is no
all the evil we shall sustain by our violation
st of State faith; no one will trust US hereaf
r. ter; who will loan to citizens of our State
+, on State, county, city or railroad bonds, afte
: it is known that our government dare not en-
Is force its own laws, and that here mobs rul
Of when they please!
lie 1t is melancholy to think, that this grea
- work, the "Wabash and Erie Canal" c
which we are SO justly proud-it bein
&c greater in extent than any internal improve
er ment of the kind in United States perhap
Re in the world; work that has already great
r. increased our prosperity and added to GU
wealth, and thereby lessening the burden c
- our taxes-may be rendered comparativel
lie useless. Uniting as it does the Norher
Sc Lakes with the waters of the Mississippi,
Mt will create an internal commerce which wi
= not be equalfed by any in this continen
1t will ever be powerful means to develo
10 the resources of Indiana. Looking at tn
I'd future, we scarcely can calculate the golde
le SitclrerS it will scatter in our midst w
u trust then it will never be said of this mag
nificent work, IL 1CGS destroyed by a fen irrt
y Sponsibts desperddoes, aUhich the Gouernr1asr
pit Of Indiana dared not, or qUas undJLe to pl
in dolUn.
L. Therefore resolved, That His Excellence
: Gov. Jos. A. Wright, be requested immed
!" ately to take measures to put down thi
DIS mob-using every means that may be ex
al Pedent, force if necessary; and we hereb
re pledge ourselves, if need be, with sour live
3 and fortunes"
- RESOLVED, That the citizens of Indian,
us especially those on the line OF the Canal, b
e. requested to hold meetings, and expires
OF their opinion upon this subject.
ReSotUed, That Delegation of - cit
:" zens be appointed to wait upon His Exec
&c lency, Gov. Wright, and present him cop
ok of these proceedings, and request him /