The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-04
THE SUEZ CANAL.

From the N. Y Herald.
despatch from Alexandria informs us that
M. Lesseps has passed through the Suez Canal
in a steamer from Port Said to Suez-that is,
from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea-in
fifteen hours. 1t is impossible to refuse to
admit that M. Lesseps has accomplished one
of the greatest wonders of this or, indeed of
any age. The world laughed at him when he
commenced his undertaking. 1t was an i'm
possibility; it never could be accomplished.
1t was an old thought, but never was q fact.
The idea was as old as, nay, older than, the
Pharaohs; but the sands Of the desert had in
every instance proved stronger than man.
Such was the language common at the time
the canal was commenced. Such has been
the language held by many in spite of visible
progress and demonstrated success. Steadily
NJ. Lesseps has kept at the work. He has
found money and men in spite of all de-
tractors to carry on the work. He has ex-
hausted the resources of art to find ma
chinery suited to great emergencies. He has
made nature herself his handmade Where
no stone was to be had; he has taken lessons
from the monuments Of the past and con-
verted the deep, heavy subsoil into material
which may prove as enduring as marble or
granite. The two seas have actually met and
kissed each other, and there has been no
deluge. On the contrary, O little steamer,
with the engineer on board, has sailed from
sea to sea in fifteen hours. tits triumph to
NJ. Lesseps; it is triumph to French engi-
neering; it is triumph to modern science.
We may now take it for granted that the
opening of the canal towards the close of the
year will be q complete success. In spite of
the Sultan the dream of the Greek conQueror
of the world will be realized Alexandria
will become one of the grandest centres of
commerce. twill do more than recover all
the splendor and prosperity which it lost by
the discovery of Vasco de CANA. Trade will
revert to its ancient channels. The cape will
sink into decay. The coasts of the Mediter-
ranean will bristle with large and fourishing
cities. A voyage from New York, from Amster-
dam, from Liverpool, from Marseilles to India
and the far East will be accomplished in fewer
weeks via the Suez Canal than months via the
Cape of Good Hope. 1t will multiply largely
| the means of communication, and it will
enormously increase trade. Egypt, in fact
will recover more than her ancient import
| ance; she will again become the seat of en-
| pire. The canal will attract Europeans and
even Americans to its banks, the world s
wealth will find new outlet, and it will not
be wonderful if the ruler of Egypt, whoever
he may be, soon dictates terms to the Turk.
The truth is the Suez Canal will reclaim
Egypt from barbarism. Civilization by it
lays claim to the land of the Pharaohs, one of
| inc uist anu SrduueSG CIdNlcS VI Iue race, anu
through it rushes to develop the mighty re-
sources of ASIA 1t is a grand success, and
we must rejoice in it. But it is also great
counter stroke to our Pacific Railroad. We
have our isthmus We must cut it or lag be-
hind. We are nearer Asia than any of the
commercial nations of Europe; but we lose
our opportunity so long as the trade of the
Atlantic States must seek Asia round Cape
Horn. Let us cut the Isthmus at once Let
us have our Darien Canal. To us this is the
| lesson.