Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-01-18

THE nrG;1aT SPIRIT.
/ The spirit Of Improvement is abroad in
otr STATE With more than usual activi y
We Ind it operating in al quarters. and
With degree Of energy which leads Us to
believe that it speaks Of good things to
eeme.
The project Of On Iowa Central Railroad.
backed up BY St. Louis, which is to ass
through our State from south to north has
awakened an immense amount OF energy,
and activity al along its proposed line. The
idea Of having . railroad running through
our State. in that direction. connecting us
directly with the st. Louis and thence by
river with the more southerly markets,
whether in summer or winter. is
consumation that has long been wished for,
and one that seems certain. 1t is in the
hands Of merchants and capitalists who
know just what they are figuring at, and
who will be most cordially assisted by the
agricultural and commercial interests Of the
State.
Another movement in which this same
spirit is being timely developed,is the earn
est manner in which the people all along
the Mississippi Valley, from st. Paul to
ST. Louis are advocating and insisting upon
the improvement Of the two Rapids 1.-The
Upper Rapids, terminating at Davenport,
and the Lower Rapids terminating at keo
kuk. There is strong determination
on the part Of q population Of several millions
in the Northwest, who are vitality interested,
to have this work accomplshcd-c,ther by
canals extending around these Rapids, Of
sufficient capacity to pass boats drawing STA
feet Of water or by eating away the rcks
and Strengthening the channels in the 1--WE
The demand for this improvement is in
mense. We in the Northwest, on, ht, at
times, when the river is n closed by ice, to
have free and unobstructcd navigation from
ST. Paul to the Gulf, and should have, but
for these Rapids distractions. The country
might well afford to be taxed in order 70 sc
cure such an immense blessing. II would
pay in reduced frcights, reduced risks to
steam boats, and increased facilities ofevery
kind in river navigation. May the effort
now being made prove successiul-and the
day Of its completion date not too far
ahead.
Another great project is on foot, which
10 fraught with untold importance to the in
terests Of Iowa and Western illinois, and,
for securing which a tremendous effort Is
being made We alluie to the extension Of
the Illinois and Michigan Canal from La
Sale to the Mississippi River somewhere
near this point The object Of this improve
ment is to secure cheap freights. The pro
ducts ofIowa and Western Illinois are enor
nous. A large share Of these products must
60 east. The cost Of shipment by rail has
become burdcnsome-eating up the profits
Of the producer Water transportation is
the cheapest and water transportation is de
manded. Millions Of tons Of freight nnnu-
ally pass from West to East and East L
West, and the saving per hundred tina
would b. made by canal connecting tn
Mississippi River with tie great Lakes
would in very few years pa
back the mammoth expenditure thi
work calls for. There is no mi
taking the point. The interests of five mi
lions Of people engaged in active agrculiu
raj and commercial pursuits, demand tn
cheapest transportation TO the caster
market. The people arc earnest IN thc'
appeals on this subject, and it is to be hope
that success will crown their efforts again
Through all these northwestern states th
spirit Of home manufactures is abroad
This people are paying out millions of mon
ey each year for fabrics and imple
ments. A large portion Of who
might just as we'll DO manuac
tured right in our own borlers. W
can raise our own WOOL Is there any sens
in relying upon Eastern manufacturers t.
make it into CLOTH The people say no
and in all sections Of the Northwest, wooleI
manufactures are springlng up. They car
make their own farming implements as well
They will do it. The spirit of home manu-
MISUNDERSTANDING money at home is upor
them. May it lcavcn the entire loaf. 1t j.
the right spirit; let US nourish 1t.