Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-11-02

men is beginning. Gov. Wise has
placed himself ia the front Of the move
rnent, aud his great popularity and i'm.
mcpse powers as popular orator VIII
certainly carry the State OF Virginia
with the Southern States.
WASHINGTON. Oct 20.
Letters received here from distin-
cui,hed conservatives in different parts
ii the South, men who are no alarmists,
express intense apprehension OF disaster
to the Union in the event OF Llncon's
election. The disunion exctement,~ which
has hitherto been attributed to polite
iaus only and Shareholders, is becoming
general among non-savenolders, white
working men and mechanics, the I'M
preston prevailing that the Republicans
II successful, will aim to destroy caste
between negroes and themselves by ele-
waiting the negroes to their rauk.
RELIGION AND POLITICS.
No better guage of the seriousness
and carnestness of public sentiment on
any political question can be found, than
in the action Of religious bodies thai
keep habltually apart from partnership
and fanaticsm. 1t il not uncommon
now for prayers to be made for the pres
ervatio of the Union. Such supplca-
tons ought appropriately to be made on
Sunday, the 4th day of November, I'M
mediately preceding the even,ful con-
test.
Especial despatch to the n. 7. Times.
WASHINGTON. Friday. Oct. &c.
1t is currently reported to day, on
what is believed by many to be reliable
authority, that several Southern States,
acting through secret Commissioner,
have already obtained pledge from
Napoleon to protect Charleston as a free
port in case Of secession.
Gov. johnson, of Georgia, says he re-
CARDS LincOin's election as furnishing no
cause whatever for a dissolution of the
Union-but were he to resist the course
determined OH by the secessionists of his
State, he would be overwhelmed, since
all three parties there harmonic on this
point
Many conservative men here, who
have heretofore treated the apprehcn-
sons Of disunion with levity, now admit
their serious fears, and some have sur
rendered all hope. Great excitement
prevails here. Senator WlgfaIl called
on President Buchanan yesterday, and
notified him to make up his mind as to
what course he would pursue in the
event Of secession, as he would have to
meet the issue nolens Uolens. Tie ven
cradle President exhibited evident alarm
it is said, and will advise with his Cabi-
net at once on the subject Will Score.
tary Cobb be present in the Council!
From the London (Eug.) Herald,
The Mississippi Bridge.
All the world knows how British cap
ital and engineering skill have brldged
the St. Lawrence at Montreal All the
world does not know that the great cen.
trail river of North America has been
bridged by Railroad Company at Rock
Island, a few miles south of the paral
lei of latitude on which Chicago is stu
a,ed, and about $50 miles of river navi
CATION above ST. Louis. This structure
Joins the towns of Rock Island city, Hi
nois, and Davenport, Iowa, and forms {
direct connection between the Chicago
and Rock Island Railroad Zone Of tn,
zen great trunk lines which radiate from
Chicago) and the Mississippi and Mis-
souri, Railroad-an Iowa line which, al
its name imports, aspires 10 JOIN the Mis-
sssippi rivers at Davenport and Coun
Gil Bluffs respectively, and OF which l37
miles are now in operation.
The Rock Island Bridge, connecting
as is does, the els and trans Mississippi
system of railroads, and performing 81
important a part as feeder to the city
of Chicago, has high commercial sta
tus, and as the first bridge ever throw
across the Mississip pi it has still NOR
interesting historical aspect.
The Mississippi is divided at this poin
by Rock Island into two channels, on
of which is 400 and the other 400 fee
wide. The Bridge was commenced
early in 1853, but, owing to legal diff
cuItles, was not completed until April
1852 The main bridge between kocl
Island and Davenport is 1881 feet long
in five spans ESQ feet in the clear. 1h
draw is $50 feet wide, one of the wides
in the United States. The Northern
side of the centre piers is faced witt
boiler iron, so as to throw off the float
ing ice. The original cost Of this wood
en- structure was s25O,OOO. Tho repair
made since have amounted to nearly a
much more. 1t is owned by the Chica
60 and Rock Island, and Mississippi
and Missouri Railroad jointly. Ate
trinmphing over the legal dangers whicl
beset its birth, it was soon struck dow
by physical foe. Fifteen days afte
the cars began to run over it, the steam
or Etfie Alton struck against the draw
careened over, caught fire, and commu
ncated the blaze to the unfortunate
bridge, one span of which was consumed
1t was repaired, and trains recommence'
crossing in September, 1856. From th
sth Of hat month to June 3Oth, 1857
the end of the Company's fiscal year
} l4,sOl passengers, and lO,455 loadet
frpi0ht cara were taken nvar II r. ~