The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-18
LEvEEs OF Tnn mIssIsslPpI.

We notice that Senator Alcorn, of Mis-
sissippi, has introduced a bill for the con-
struction, by the general government, of the
necessary levees on the Mississippi river. 1t
is known TO the most of our readers that
large portion of the rich bottom lands of
this river are subject to overflow in high
stages of water, and are thus rendered un-
certain for cultivation. These lands arc of
great extent, and among the richest IN soil
and production the world over. If all were
reclaimed and protected, the amount of
cotton, which they could produce, would be
immense. 1t will be seen, then, that the
SUBJECTS one of national Importance. Pre-
vious to the war, extensive and costly levees
had been constructed by individual exer-
tions, or by the combined efforts of
few planters adjoining and having a
mutual interest But during the long con
test these works were necessarily neglected,
and they became greatly impaired or en-
tirely demolished by the ravages Of war.
The planters, deprived of their slaves and
other property, and many of them deeply in
debt both before and since the war, are now
too poor to repair the old levecs OF to build
such new ones as arc absolutely needed for
their security. Hence their application for
government aid We have always been
avcrsc to the exercise Of doubtful powers
on tie part of the central government even
for the apparent good of the people, but
we confess that, in this instance, much may
be said for its exercise in this particular
We have not forgotten that AIr. Calhoun,
the strongest advocate of State Rights, in
his famous speech at the first Commercial
Convention at Memphis, spoke of the Mis-
sissippi river as ga great inland sea, "
along which the Congress might rightfully
stretch its authority to a certain extent and
do things for the general good of tho peO-
pie Of the whole Mississippi valley. That
the redemption and security of all the bot
tom lands of the Mississippi are matters of
much national Importance, must be admit
ted, and the fact that to accomplish this
completely would require the united action
Of at least three States, which might never
be obtained, is another strong argument in
its favor. For instance, the levceing Of the
banks Of the Mississippi by the State Of
Louisiana would do little good unless the
States Of Mississippi and Arkansas lcsced
also. The water would come in from above
and ilow behind the lower levees and thus
render them in a great degree useless.
The action Of the general govern
ment would avoid this difficulty.
and furnish the strongest guarAnteo Of
fun and complete protection. But then
comes the very serious objection to the ex-
ercise Of this power by the general govern
ment as being extremely doubtful as it re-
CARDS constitutional authority. From the
time the general government went into ope-
ration, the tendency has been towards cen
trsliration and 8 stretching Of its powers,
professodly for the pubic good. Thus the
N,tional Road was built across the Ale
chsny Mountains, useful thing in It's day,
but tho power to build il was always qusz-
tioned aad denied by nisny true Democrats.
Vrhils chen the utility Of the proposed leYees
IS unoos ,ionabie. Il would be far better FOR
10 country thar they were never buili. il
this sxercise q power 8 % bereiesroi % as
q precelcnt for the cxercise. Of tho sane on
greater power for essentially lad pur-