Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-02-18


were
Flour bbls. Grain. bush.
Montreal. ......... 197. G5T 4,lle,lG5
Portland .... 547 ,953 2,43l, 733
&c a..........2,l93 $40 s,5ll.75o
New York. .......3,6s7.775 1889, 9oS
Phi'adelphia. $500. 724 ,49s 4,e35,7sj
baltimore. ....... ge6,276 6,l4e,66
Tide>water by canal OLA 900 $3.50, 100
After the deduction Of our foreign ex
ports of gram, the amount left Tor eastern
consumption 10 enormous. Diminish the
cost Of carriage and you increase the prohts
and tighten the toll Of every workingman
in the land Every mechanic. artisan ana
operative in the Atlantic States would ieei,
| in the ameloraton OF his condition, the
beniliccnt effect of the contemplated im>
provements. The coLsutnstion Of this work
would enlarge the sales OF every manufac
ture in New England. Tho prime necssei-
ties Of our national life are far more vitality
Affected by the unobstructea navigation Of
the Mississippi than by the security Of the
| Atlantic harbors. Yet the Government has
expended millions upon the improvement Of
the seaboard. Numerous and liberal appro.
priations have been made by Congress to
insure the navigation of the Lakes. As
suredly the Government caanot deny to our
appeal the favor which it has granted TO
claims Of no higher obligation. One years
interest ON the additional expense to which
these Instructions subject transportation
would pay for their removal. The annual
tax which the Rapids levy Oh Western pro-
ducts equals the estimated cost OF tho pro-
posed canals. An adhcrencc to its settled
policy, fidelity to it's responsible trusts, and
its high obligation to recognize popular
rights and foster national interests, urge the
Government to grant the solicited appro>
priation.
But the, Nv est has higher title TO the "a
vor Of the Government than the considers
ton Of mere material interests. Faithful to
it's patriotic instincts, the West fought for
the Union throughout the late contest with
a stubbornness Of vsler that was at once .
defiance Of defeat and guarantees OF victo-
nv. Without disparagement to the noble
gallantry of Eastern soldiers, it Was chiefly
due to the heroic Efforts Of our Western
aru;es, that the Mississippi now flows free
10 the Gulf Their dauntless courage pre-
vented the rupture Of our national integrity
and rescued the mouth Of the Mississippi
from the control Of foreign power. Their
fidelity has saved the Mississippi from tie
vexations Of hostile imposts, and permitted
its waters to dow untaxed to the ocean.
10 their services is 70 be ascribsd the resto-
} ration Of that unity and brotherhood for
which the plastic hand Of nature channclled
this majestic stream. Assuredy the nation
cannot forget its defenders. A Governs
ment, Justly sensible Of its obligations, will
show . practical gratitude for the prcserva-
! ton Of its life.
The usefulness Of the projected improve
! ment will increase with the growth Of the
Mississippi Valley. The following table
: shows the populations and grain crop Of
4 the eight Northwestern States during tho
last three decades
!, Years. Population. Bushels
t 1870. .3,3io, 800 65,69S, S0t
1850. =, 403 600 3lO,950,3 SOC
! 1860 $500 800 556, s0l 900
The Agricultural Bureau, basing its cal
: CITATIONS On past results, makes the follow
ing approximate estimate of the cereal pro.
duct of the Northwest for the next four de-
cadcs:
J Years Bushels
1870. .G2, GOO
1880. ..... ..... 1,2lo,5oo,00C
. 1890. l,95l %, oot
1900. ....... ....... 3, l21 ,9TO,Oot
a In the coming time, tens of millions vii
c throng this valley under the benign sway o.
. one Government. All the properties of q
free people and a Christian civilization vii
4 gladden. this land Our waste tcrritorie.
r will become popuous States. The re-
y sources Of the soil and mine will BE- devel-
: oped. Our wealth in agriculture and min
$ cral productions will enrich the world In
I. that day the Mississippi will bear upon its
bosom a commerce richer than the golden
freghts of classic story, and vastcr thar
: the maritime trade of any people on thu
: globe.
Our Government ought at once to prepar,
: tho Missasippi for its glorious destiny