, 1862-01-22

called upon for expenditures so enormous
in putting down this wicked rebellion,
building canals Tonld seem to the casual |
observer as an expense not to be thought /
OF. As purely commercial project, we |
would say by no means let such expendi-
lures give way to the great necessity Of |
sustaining our Government But is not
national connection between Lakes Erie |
and Ontario such q military necessity as
should call for immediate action on
the part Of Congress? We are fresh
from diplomatic complications with
Great Britain, which, though to al
appearances adjusted, have not failed
to develop spirit Of envy and malice on
the rart Of the Palmerston ministry
toward this Government, which should not
be lost upon our Congress, as the inuedi-
ate representatives Of the people. The
great fact stands out in bold relief, that onr
Secretary of State, Immediately after the
news Of the Trent affair had reached Wash
ington from authentic sources, advised our
Minister at the Court Of St James Of the
willingness Of our Government TO adjust the
question amicahly between tn o friendly na-
Lions, utterly aisayowing the seizure Of
Mason and Sliden as Government
act. This communication, so truly mes
sage Of good will on our part, was no
doubt promptly laid before Earl Russell
and fully understood and appreciated by
the British ministry. They saw in it not
only a Willingness on the part Of our Gov
eminent to maintain friendly relations with
England, but determination that England
should have no just cause Of war against
rs. Yet what do We see? Do the minis
Try, Or their mouthpieces Of the London
press. attempt 10 al1ay the excitement Of
the British people? No, far from it, But
the occasion is seized upon with the utmost
ayidity rs an excuse for pouring an army
into Canada, and presenting opposite our
undcfended lake coast an army Of bristling
bayonets and threatening cannon. Should
1his demonstration be lost upon Us? He1
armies are there, and honey 1t over as we
may, we can never forget the spirit of ha-
tired with which our Canadian cousins as
sailcd lis. They had no oil for the troubled
waters. But they seemed to welcome 8
contest which should humiliate Us and es.
tablish The rebel government.
With such war threatening us, wha
Intelligent man failed to contemplate viii
regret end modification the fact that th
only communication between Lake Erie
The outlet Of the immense chain Of on
Northern Lakes. and Lake Ontario
lies through Canada. We hope Congress
may call up the subject which has slept 70
many years in fancied security, The rout
for canal on the American side was man
years ago surveyed BY our Government
and demonstrated to be perfectly feasible
for canal about seven miles in length
costing We think about 100000, an tier
Of no consequence compared with til
value Of the work rs 8 military necessity
The vast commerce Of our lakes is mad
10 foster the Welland Canal in tin,
of peace, and gives TO our en-,
mics that Invaluable transit for tho
gunboats in war. Let our Go7er1
ment at once enter upon and speedily con
I'1ete route most i1nperatiyely demande
by tAe necessities Of these perilous times $
pregnant with events for the no distant Fl
ture. While the emissa1ies of the Soutl
ern shareholders rebellion are drawing COZ
ISOLATION and support from English state
men no lcas than from English public sci
hment, let US not forget, in an honest, ca
nest determination to preserve the peae
90 long as it can be done with nation,
honor, to fortify the weakest points Of Of
northern fontier-than which no measul
can be more important than the connectic
Of the Lakes around the Falls Of Niagar
We would suggest the subject as en-
nently worthy Of the most earnest consi
Grafton Of our citizens in conjunction wi
our sister cities of fhe 3of-as