Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-08-10
The Sueg Canal.

Ihe opening OF the ship canal that is
to connect the Mediterranean with the
Red Sea, will be celebrated in September
next, There is to be gathering of crown
ed heads on the occasion, and display Of
regal splendor such as the present ceutu-
ry has not seen. The potcntates of Europe
Asia and Africa will assist at the august
ceremonies, and representatives of every
civilized government in the world will be
present.
Ii fitting that this should be So The
new Eastern passage to the Indies promi-
scs to revive something of the ancient trade
Of orthern Africa and Southern Europe,
as well as to quicken the commerce Of
Asia.
The idea of a ship canal across the
Isthmus OF Suez is said to be as old as
the days of Pharaohs. But sixty or sew.
enty miles of sandy desert lies between
the two seas now to be united, and 1t was
natural that any active mind looking out
for method of increasing the wealth and
power Of Egypt should hit upon this plan
But the engineering powers that were I'll
to build the pyramids were not sufficient
for the canal. 1t was reserved for the
men of the nineteenth to take up the
dreams Of forty centuries ago and make
them practical. Certain French engineers,
a few years since, suggested to the pro-
grassive Viceroy of Egypt, Isnail Pacha,
the feasibility of the Suez Canal
The monarch was shrewd enough tc
comprehend its advantages at once, and
he engaged his European friends to take
the job and carry it through. The Arabs
make good workmen under proper difee.
ton, and the work went on apace, The
Sultan looked upon the action of his Vice
roy with approval as well he might. The
help that France gave him in the Crimes
was little compared with the benefit he viii
reap, in the added stability of his empire
by the completion of the Suez Canal.
1t is remarkable that Egypt, enc o.
the oldest Of the historical kingdoms o.
the earth, should be the scene Of the con
summation Of one Of the greatest enter
prises Of modern times. Her civilization
was old when Europe was wilderness
inhab ted by the rudest Of barbarian. The
canal was cherished dream of her chill
dren at time when the ancestors of thu
French aud English has forged no tools o
domestic industry. Now, after sleep o
twenty centuries, Egypt hears and repond
to the call Of younger nations to step int
the arena of active life and contend for
name and position.
AS the comrerce of Europe passes b.
her shores, and her people arc forced int
close contact with the busy modes Of though
and habits Of life Of its inhabitants, chang
, may pass over them. The old land of tn
; Pharaohs may renew the vigor ofits youth
and rise up to take leading place in tn
earth's history once more.
As it is probable that much of the Al
lantic coast trade with China and lndi
may pass through this canal, we have a
, interest in its opening. But that interes
should ilnpul us to consider more closel
the subject of the proposed canal throug
the Isthmus of Darien. It should not b
delayed. China will furnish the laborer'
and our financial men have capital enoug
:, to invest in an enterprise that Is sure
paw 1t will never do to let the Oh
!, World get ahead of hs in matterof til
kind. To our pride and pockets alike tn
appeal is made to hasten the construclc
!. and opening Of the Darien canal.