Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-02

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We are surprised thst the Cleveland
Board Of Trade, or the citizens at large,
have not yet taken hold Of the matter OF
appointing a delegation to the Canal Con-
v%entiOn, which meets in Chicago in June
next. After the defeat Of the Ship Canal
bill in Congress last winter, members oil
the Senate and House issued a call for
this Convention, for the discussion Of the
best plan to be pursued for securing the
enlargement Of the canals between the
Valleys of the Mississippi and the Allan
tic coast. This measure they justly regard
ed as of great national, commercial and
military Importance, and as tending to
promote the development prosperity n
unity of u whole country. The cities
upon the lake shore are particularly in
terested in the discussion of this great
question. Aside from the commercial re-
suits, let readers reflect upon the fact
that the Welland Canal is wholly in Brit
ish territory, and that in case Of a war
With England that country could send
gunbOats by way of the st. Lawrence and
Ottowa rivers, and the Rideau and Wellsnd
Canals, into Lake Erie, to lay our cities
waste and to capture u carrying vessels
and steamers, while we we're building a
navy, having no means Of bringing our
own gunboais into the lake. This is but
one view Of the subject; there are many
more that will suggest themselves to the
thinking mind.
Other cities have appointed delegations Of
their strongest men to this Convention.
The delegates appointed from Wash
ingtOn include Attorney General Bates,
Postmaster General Blair, Secretary STAN
ton, Francis Blair, ST., J.. W. FOrney, SC,
Sc. Let not Cleveland be behind in the
work. Every western city has a directin in
terest in the results of the Convention.
The Chicago Tribune says Of the Cen
vention:
I'VE have before us two letters inquir-
ing whether members Of the great Canal
Convention to be held here on the second
day of June next, will be confined to
those who are specially invited by the
Committee on Invitations in this city,
| Certainly not. As shown by the resolu.
lions of the Committee, published in oul
last issue, all who are friendly to the
| measure, in all parts of the country, OF
/ who wish to examine the subject in order
| that they may become so, are cordially in
vited to attend. Representatives, from
| towns and cities, agricultural and other
| societies, scientific bodies, corporations
| &c. &c, are all welcome. The duty, q
we understand it of the CsmEee Cn1A
| vitations, is to see TO it that prominent in
d~ividuals, civilians, jurists, &c, &C., a
well as the representatives Of cities, soci-
cites and public bodies Of various kinds
are solicited to be present and add thu
weight of their influence, to this great ma
tional enterprise.
Some plan will have to be adopted
as TO how votes upon important question;
shall be taken. In the river and harbol
convention in 1847, the people and dele
gates from each State determined hov
they would vote, each State casting a
many as they had delegates in Congress
Probably this or some other similar ar
rangement will be made.
at is understood that the railways vii
charge only one fare; that is, full far
coming, passing members free on their re
turn. The different Committees are al
hard at work, and letters from abroad an
every other indication give certain prom
Use that the Convention will he a great an
q triumphant success"