North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-12-01
Che Gimes.
River improvement.


--------- ------=-
River Improvement.
We arc in receipt. Of 30 page pamph'
let, entitled Mississippi VALLEY Memorial.
New Orleans, Keokuk and Louisville Con-
ventions. The Reports and Resolutions
are compiled by Gen. vandever, of Du'
buque, gathercr Of statistics not cxcelled
by any one known to us. The printing is
handsomely executed. by the. Dubuque
Daily Herald.
Gen. Vandever has our thanks, but
what can we say in column that is strung
out in fourteen columns of our TINES 2
We commence:
The N. o. Oh. of Com. invited delegates
for May 5th. Several distinguished gen.
tlemcn, whose names are often forced into
unpaid journals, said something. A call
for the Keokuk Convention, Of Sept. 7th,
1869, was issued, signed by Add. II. Sand
ers ct al. Gen. ", our personal friend,
was President. Any number Of Honor
ables, Generals, Colonies and Professors
were appointed to memorabilia Congress
on tho Improvement Of the Mississippi.
The substance of the Memorial, an able
and interesting one, is that Government
should appropriate six millions for the inn
provement of the Mississippi and its
branches. The many words about cur
products, wheat, other grains, pork, beef,
wool, lumber and the southern staples we
cannot copy, because zoe can't, and besides,
all who know anything know all about it
now. Our recent connection with the Pa
cifc by rail and the immense interior IN
tcrvenirg are eloquently alluded to.
Railroads are complimented highly and
semi-condemned as monopolies. There
are too many subjects embodied in this
pamphlet for condensation just now. We
close, at present, with the "Ccnclusion'' Of
the Memorial, which is really summing
up of the whole business Of the three
conventions. There ore valuable statistics,
amount of production, estimated expen>
ses OF making our western rivers what
they were intended for by Providence, if
he had amy int. ntions on the subject, a
point which we humbly beg to moot. as
the New Testrment expressly forbids oil
ideas of commercial affairs in connection
with the teachings of the Saviour. We
believe in the essence of the lines follow
ing:
The kind of reconstruction the country
now needs, is the thorough improvement
Of the navigation of the Mississippi River
and-its branches. This will open pub.
lie high way in the best sense, for our i'm
lnense inland commerce, free to all upon
which, neither state nor company can ever
impose tax or toll; it will unite the coun-
try in closer bonds of union, by promot-
ing reciprocal and mutually dependent in
terests it will develope cheap lines of
transportation along our nav:gable rivers
directly across the track Of more expen-
sive artificial lines, bringing the freedom
and economy of one into competition with
the special privileges and speed Of the
other; it will tend to check the influence Of
consolidation, that is now fast growing in
to a monopoly Of an alarming character in
the management of railroad affairs, threat
cning to overshadow every other interest,
by the terrorism of its control; it will rem
der markets less liable to the vicissitudes
of speculative action, by providing addi-
tional avenues for trade and opening new
outlets it will deliver the country from
the power of a comparatively few to con.
troll the chief lines Of traffic, or to derange
our finances, of whom it may be said, that
the disposition to exercise their specula-
tive passion or caprice, is NOT often re-
strained by due regard for the welfare
of others; it will stimulate and encourage
production, manufacturers, and commerce
in every part of the land it will establish
exchanges between remote sections upon
the most economic basis and impart new
impetus to national growth. The pro.
tecting and fostering care of the general
government, thus reaching and enccur-
aging the interests of every part Of our
common country, we will be bound by
indissoluble union, in the enjoyment of
the blessings of liberty, and will speedily
attain unparalleled greatness and prosper.
ity as o people.
NorE.-The foregoing memorial, after
receiving the endorsement of the New
Orleans and the Keokuk Commercial Con.
ventions, was reported to the Convention
that assembled in October ct Louisville,
and there also adopted.