The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-28
Isthmus of Darien Canal Prciect-Meetina
Cspitali.ts and Company U. ganized.

At meeting of the Isthmus Canal Company,
held on the evening Of the 10th, at the residence
of Peter Cooper, the company was organized Dy
the election of Mr.. Cooper as president, and T. A;
Conklipg. as secretary. Hon. W. H. Seward and
Attorney General Evarts were present, and took
an active part in the proceedings.
The feasibility of the proposed canal was
thoroughly discussed. The highest estimated cost
was sl0O. 600, 600. The following committee was
appointed to obtain subscription to the stock OF
the company: W. T. Coleman, Marshall D.
Roberts, Cornelius X. Garrison, W. @. Duncan
and Richard Schell. Charts prepared by +. N.
Perry were exhibited during discussion.
hon. W. II. Seward made few rewarks in sub
stance az follows: Mr.. Seward alluded to the
canal Of Pharaoh across the lsthmus OF Suez and
the desire for the restoration OF that channel as
the most feasible channel OF trade between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The exploration OF
the American continent at the beginning OF the
18th century discloses the necessity for better
channel across the continent, and that peter
channel could be constructed across the lsthmus
of Darien and nowhere else.
Fvery advance of modern civilization in Europe
and the establishment of new nation IN Aneri-
ca, has increased the zeal and energy OF the
friends of progress in favor OF canal across tne
Jstbmus of DarIen. The chief Of all advantages
to statesmen of the present day, in all countries,
is that they can take part in the construction OF
| this canal As Americans, We are charged with
the responsibility of constructing on the Amerf
can continent higher order OF civilization.
He proceeded to argue that this navigation
must be made as cheap and expeditions as pos
sible. The navigation OF sailing vessels Is coming
to an end. and commerce is conhding the trust Oh
navigation exclusively TO steam vessels. Com.
merce can no longer afford to use crcutous and
periIous navigation around capes; 1t must and viii
| have the shortest channels of communication
| and of them there can be two, one across the
Istbmus of Suez and the other across the lsthmu'
| Darien.
The canal across the Isthmus of Suez approaches
| completion. II that channel is enlarged and com
| pletely adapted to the interests OF modern com
| merce, the commerce even OF the Atlantic coas
ALL be turned eastward across the Atlantic. and
| through the Mediterranean and Red seas to India
| and China.
| 1t would be reproach to American enterprise
/ and craftsmanship that we are thus become tribu
tsries TO ancient and effete Egypt, when by pierc
| ing the Isthmus of Darien we can bring the trad'
| even of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coast
| through channel of our own. 1t is go palpa6ll
indicated by nature that all the world has accepted
it as feasible and necessary. The barren snll
canal is the only great work In CIVILIZATION wnici
| remains to be undertaken. .
Suppose we have been hitherto either inactiv
or idle in this important matter, we nave pun,
| railroad across the Isthmus Of Panama, and with
twelve months more we shall have stretched
| railroad across the continent from New York Z
| San Francisco. These are prohtaole ana useiu
| only as types and shadows OF the Daren shi
| canal which we all know and feel must be tram
| cendentaly profitable and useful.
| In conclusion, he demonstrated that the exec
utive government had adopted the enterprise b
detailing ships which had been and were oein
taken for that purpose. and assured them tnat u
president will go forward with renewed zeal an
yigor on receiving the assurances which they hs
given him that the city of New York has name
men who will undertake that achievement an
stand ready to furnish sl00. 900, which II ms
be expected to cost.
He closed with an acknowledgment for court
sizes received, and said fine should be able to ide
tify his name with theirs in the prosecution OF u
great enterprise, he should think more hereaft
than ever heretofore that he had not altogeth
| lived in vain.