The Portland daily press., 1865-10-26
Thursday Morning, Oct. 26, 1865.
Ship Canals.

s.
At the recent International Convention Of
merchants, held in Detroit, this subject was
brought up by the Committee on Commerce
in their report. maI sfsa .s55
For the reason that this appears to us q
matter which should receive the attention
OF the Government, capitalists and statesmen,
we propose saying something with regard to
1t. And we set out with the idea that the de-
mands Of the country require ship canal
from Albany to some point on Lake Ontario.
Possibly this may be accomplished blythe en-
largement of the New York canals TO a ship
ping capacity from Albany to Oswsgo, or peri
haps it would be better to enlarge the Fri Ca
nal the entire distance, as a matter of econo-
my. This is matter of minor importance, 50
that we connect the Hudson River with the
lakes Secondly, we want the Niagara ship
canal; and, lastly, we want a similar conmu-
nication from Lake Michigan to the Mississip-
pi RiYer-making three canals which, ia con-
nectlon with the lakes, wouls form a direct
line of water communication between the At
lantic Ocean and the Mississippi River. In
the lrst place, due regard. TO our natioal
safety and security demand it. With this line
OF communication, in case Of a war with Eng
land, it would take but a short timegto run
gunboats from the Atlantic seaboard and from
the Mississippi to the lakes, and to organize a.
fotilla that would be formidable for either Of
fensive or defensive operations. Our recent
experience with the operations Of rebel pri-
vateers upon the lakes should be enough to
convince any one Of The expediency and the
imperative necessity of such a measure, as a
guarantee Of our security upon the frontier +
In case of hostilities with England it Is fair to-
suppose that she would attempt to blockade
the st. Lawrence River, and she would prnba-
bly, succeed. We are then shut out of the
lakes, and must depend upon previous prepa-
ration or must build up a navy on the lakes-
so far as previous preparation is concerned,
under present circumstances, with but z single
war vessel on the lakes, we should find or
selves in sorry plight.
Happily, this is to be superseded by differ
ent policy. Building up navy after hostih-
ties had actually commenced would be but the
subjecting Of every one OF our towns situas-
ed upon the lakes to the meecy Of an English
navy, and every one of them would be laid
in ashes before we were ready This would
never do. If we ever get into a war with
England, instead of receiving shot and shell
in our defeneeless cities, we should be in a po-
sitioIi to put every Conadian town in range of
our guns, and oVerr1n Canada Immediately af
ter the commencement of hostiities. With
the exception of one town, this would not be
impracticable, provided we could command
the lakes. ~
Secondly, the commercial interests OF tile
country, also demand the adoption Of this
measure. Six years ago, the New York Cen
tral, the Erie, the Pennsylvania, and the BAL
= tim0re and Ohio roads were Waging a suicidal
war fer through freight. How is il to-day 2?
Not one Of these roads is anxious about tough
freight. The war, to some extent, is the rea-
son of this, but not the sole one, The largely
increased railway traHc for the last three or
four years is mainly due to the increased devel-
opment of resources and increased production.
Tue New FORK roads are able 10 live and de-
clare a dividend upon the local trade that has
sprung up, and have sbut little rolling stock
dsengaged for the shipment Of Western pro
duce. q ~ sfy-t-sistA aaIllH
,i We must have some increased facilities for
the transmission of produce from the West,
whose resources are as yet but impeffsc5y
developed, and which will receive an impetus
from the disbanding of-our armies, as a large
number of the discharged soldiers viii 60
West to settle. e .9s asa tefesaf z
We are expanding in every DIRECTION. The
time is not far distant when a railroad to the
Pacific . i'll be in running order. The enlbar-
rasInents which our roads are new labofihg
under viii then be doubled, and the capacity
for carrying freight on all roads between New
York and the Mississippi River will be inn
mensely curtailed Give US these ship canals,
and the difficulty is obyiateda New York must
ever continue the metropolis of the country.
Goods for Western merchants can be ship
ped 70 bAe lakes, Uhence DX a. Ine OF proper
lers to any point ON the lakes, and thence to
( St. Louis, st. Paul, st, Joseph In return
these boats and propellers win bring back
wheat and Western products, and put them
in the New York or any other market at a
lower price than can be done now During
the Summer months the railroads would be
largely relieved of this business, and be ableIto
keep their rolling stock in repair for winter
demands. 5t anas es.- q a1Esg zsal +
TT-.rnt1,;,,o sJ,a,,td ho d,,,os ~ l1f.1s4 4 4
freights, call out competition, stimulate capital,
and develop the resources of the country.
The railroads are already Inadequate to the
demands upon them, and must every day be-
come more SOL The Nation. ~
lfIl3f515I6GOC I'd n0x1uEO62IU