Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1859-10-25

TAs nlAsstsltppe Presses.
As the accumulated treasures OF the
harvest field fill our warehouses, we
begin TO look eagerly for the great
merchant fleet that annually furls ITS
sails in our harbor. The blessings of
health enjoyed the present seas n
have caused our fail business with the
county to open briskIy earlier than
usual. The great river that rolls
along the front Of the Crescent City
brings almost hourly from the far III
terror to the Northeast, the west, the
Northwest and the North, full freights
that seek the worlds market, and but
for the scarcity Of shipping IN port,
doubtless larger sales would now he
made than have been recorded tor
many years in the early part of the
month OF October.
Why have not the idle ships Of the
Middle aud Eastern States arrived IN
larger numbers? Neither masters
nor owners can be dilstory through
fear OF the health Of this city, or the
uncertainty Of an abundance offreight
in New Orleans. The figures that
are demanded and gwen cannot be
sry secret in Massachusetts, Maine or
New York.
1t is not improbable that our means
of moving the harvest early the pres
ent fall III be affected by the losses
experienced a year since by detention
on the bars Of our river. Few yes
sells which we're compelled t. lay at
the Balize from ten to twenty days,
subject to loss Of time, the expense OF
towsge, ard to actual injuries OF Sc
rous character, could have made a
profitable trip from this port, or will
be likely to reappear in this quarter
again until it is certain that their pas
sage to our wharves is unobstructed.
The Importance to the entire South
West Of constant labor to keep the
Mississippi passes open cannot be
Overrated. Indeed, the whole coun-
try is more deeply interested than in
any other improvement which falls
particularly under the province ofthe
General Government. For the sim
ews of the manufacturing industry OF
the land, and the exports that fur
nish large portion of the means Of
paying for imports Of foreign goods,
have no other outlet to the sea.
1t may not be necessary to make
any considerable expenditure the
present fall, to secure the egrcss and
ingress of the large merchant
ships. The passes at present are
open, and no serious difficulty expert.
enced by merchantmen OF large ton
mage.
But we do not apprehcnd that they
will long remain in their present con
dltion, # they are for mouths entirely
neglected. Nature is constantly at
work adding slowly the deposits gath
cred from the great valley and again
she will reproduce the barrier that
proved SO formidable.
1t is the true policy Of those inter
ested in commerce in this city to take
action before any new obstacles arc
created. 1t such q danger existed in
the ncghborhood of New York, we
should see that great metropolis moved
and the Government would be clam
orously besiegcd for relief. Such a
cOnd ltlon Of the entrances to that port
would not have been permitted to ex-
list single week; and long before a
possible return of danger, measures
would have been taken to prevent its
possibility.
The same demonstration to advance
our interests and to bring the atten-
ton of the Government, especially oil
Congress, to our necessities, are i'm.
portant. The Mississippi, at whatev-
er cost, must be kept open. The
West will demand efficient measures
for that purpose as strenuonsly as the
merchants themselves. The shipping
interest Of the country will also not be
behind other industrial classes in aid
for such al object.
We have also to prepare for the en-.
trance ofyesse's Of larger tonnage than
those which some years ago formed
the body Of merchantmen OF New Or
leans. 1t j. eeasing TO be profitable
n transport cotton IN small ships
The great buik Of that staple viii exc
long be moved b. those drawing mort
that bine,ecn feet. The labor upon
ne pa So must pc directed t. the ere
s,Iou u a sufficient depth to accom-
Mosaic them.
We 10 not Anticipate that anything
vi. De dore By the Government or
TIA ~, ject MT after the meeting o
TIE ne1t Congress; bat il Is not IN
tnmeiy now 10 suggest to our Cham
! Der II Commerce, and TIE mercantile
community generally, TO keep a watch
iul eys upon the changing phases 0
the rver, and make full preparation
70 bfing all possible Influences to bea
upon the two Houses, to secure per
manent appropriation, TO be cxpende.
in continuous labor upon the eve
growing bar Of our Iivcr.-N, u
/fcayune.