Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-07-26
Opening of the Saut Canal. Proceed
ings of a Public Meeting

At meeting held on the 23d dey Of June,
1855, on board the steamer Illinois, on her
return trip from Lake Superior-being the
fret boat through the ship Canal around the
Falls OF St. Mary-the Hon. DANIEL Coon.
WIN of Detroit was appointed Chairman, and
PHILIP HUNT Of the same place, Secretary.
Judge Goodwin on taking the char gave
succnct history of the enterprise from the
time o! its first discussion as practicable
work to its completion; spoke OF the great
commercial results which would flow from it,
and rendered just tribute to those by whom
it had been carried through.
A Committee, consisting Of H. G. Spafford
Theo. Williams Of Detroit, the Hon. S. M.
Burrough of New-York, Z. Hosmer Of Bost-
on, and E. C. Rshm of Ontonagan, was
then appointed to prepare resolutions who
reported through Mr.. Spafford, their CHAIR
man, the following:
Whereas, The Ship Canal around ST.
Marys Falls is a completed work, and is now
in successful operation as a means OF transit
between the lower waters and Lake Superior
it is by US, passengers upon the first boat
through Its locks.
I Resolved, That we hail that completion as
an era the CONNER cial and industrial history
of the United States.
| Resolved, That the success Of an enterprise
the direct result of which will be to give a
new AMI complete development to the ca.
pacities Of vast region unequaIed in its
peculiar resources of usefulness and wealth
is national blessing; and that to the wis
dem that designed it and the liberality ant
energy by which it has been brought to
consummation, is due the gratitude Of th'
whole country.
Resolved, That we deem the work one o
peculiar interes; as the perm anent nonumen
OF a time when Government appropriation:
for internal national Improvements were ye
considered consistent with patriotism an:
the Constitution; and that in its banks anG
masonry we recognize the records o: policy
correct in principle, benehcent in practice,
and now named for re-adoption by the voice
! OF. the American people.
! Resolusd, That to the owner and officers o
the Illinois for multiplied courtesies during
the trip, we return our best thanks, and tina
in the good fortune that connects their name:
with the great event we have witnessed, WI
see deserved reward upon ability, energ!
and a long continued devotion to the interes
OF the upper peninsula of Michigan.
On motion that the repor: be adopted, Mr.
Burroughs, in reply to calls, took the floor
He spoke OF the progressive tendency 0
civilization; of its strides here in the West
of the energies that were lining the wilder
ness with ship canals and airline railroads
He referred particularly to the sentiment ofths
third resolution, and ably advocated the policy
of internal improvements.
Mr.. Hosmer compared the condition Of the
country as it existed in his boyhood-wher
/, the Genesee Valley was the Oregon of emf
: grants-with the facts of the present; spoke
: in compliment of Western hospitality ant
= energy; of the canal; and expressed hi
opinion that the day would yet come whe'
| vessels trading in Lake Superior would hav
. uninterrupted water communication wit
5 Boston and New York.
j Mr.. Spaiiord commented upon the grsndeu
e of such a victory over natural barriers, an
d declared it not one in prospect, but alre ad
e attained; the vessels might to-day load q
. Ontonog an and make their first discharge c
!, cargo upon the wharYes of Liverpool G
t Havre. He spoke of the Indebtedness whic
y we of the present were under to the ski
d and hardihood of pioneers; of the high an
h peculiar sense in which facilities of intel
l course were blessings to US as bonds of unlO
n and fellowship between States.
i, Mr.. Nichols, the Engineer of the Cana
d described the difficulty that had been met an
: overcome in the progress of the worS, an
: expressed his heartfelt satisfaction at I'll
d successful result.
e Several other gentlemen followe6 in n
marks, after which the resolutions were vi
o animously adopted.
n Or motion, it was additionally.
d Resolved, That the proceedings Of the NEE
ing be published.
q The meeting then adjourned.
e --~@~-~-~~-~~--~~-~-~-
e CHASE NoMiKATED!-The Republican Coz