The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-11-18

waste of resources, mlsapplicatlon OF means
and want of appreciation of the Creators
gifts that can only end IN ruin II continued
Il ruin the varied consequences and extent OF
which cannot now be comprehended by any
1t is not for us now 10 wait for matters to
get worse-for greater emergency to arise
A great emergency has arisen, and also an
opportunity that may soon pass by.
The question cannot be acted upon until II
Is called up, and It can only be called up in
accordance with constitutional law The
constitution OF Illinois provides that the can
al cannot be leased or sold except by virtue
of the consent of the people, the question to
be submitted at a general election
A formal tender in this manner now by
Illinois of her canal and interest In the river
work (upcn which last her power to collect
tolls has been questioned and is doubtful to
the United States upon condition of reasona
ble and suitable improvement from Lake to
Gulf and navigation substantially free to the
people of this Union in harmony with the
ordinance of 17S7-would call the question
ND upop its merts-gain the attention of the
people of the state and nation and compel
consideration upon its merits. This is not
all that is needed, but it is the first and initial
step, and perhaps in view of all difficulties
and all home and Trans Atlantic influences,
the chance of prompt action leading to the
desired result Is as favorable now as at any
time in the past, or as il may be again for a
quarter of a century.
The Trans Atlantic influences in our poll,
tics will not be lessened by delay, and can
only be successfully opposed by mutual re-
gard by the people of this country tor each
others welfare, and the national Interests,
and the general prosperity and safetY.
q nprhang &C for the tIOfprnpr IN
submit the question to the people to be voted
on now by the true friends of heaptranspor.
talon, as to wait for the Legislature and tor
a vote upon it by the people at distant day.
Delays are dangerous, and in view of all the
past, there seems ample reason 10 believe
that whatever result, nothing can be lost 10
the cause of that better utilizing of resources
so lnterlocked with the common Welfare of
all, by now at once petitioning the Governor
Of Illinois to submit the question tobe voted
by the people, urging all parties To refrain
from claiming or opposing the mea!urc, and,
if possible, unite upon this if npoE nothing
else.
The waste of resources through neglect Of
natural highways cannot be made good by
any device of man, great as has ben the adj
vance of the mechanic arts AMI mentions
and one Of the greatest of historians attributes
he ruin Oh NOme, the mistress vi tiE ancient
world, to the burthens placed upon abor and
agriculture IN order to build and maintain
hose roads OF stone, leading from he whole
Empire to Rome.
But the owners of the seventy thousand
niles of roads of :ron which compose the
'ast railway system of this Union, need not
De alarmed, for when the great COAT and IN
erior highways, designed by heSupreme
Architect OF the Universe, are Understood
mi receive that reasonable labor nan must
)estow to fully utilize them, then tleir roads
md land carriage with few If any exceptions,
will be still more useful than now, md when {
he incredible cost and waste OF excessively II
ong haus of cheap and bulky commodities
s abated, they Will still in collective sense 5
lave more freight than now, and more pas {
engers and be better and safer property, |
when in harmony with the generaleconomy I
md welfare of all, and looking to hat sym. i
netry Of development of the resources OF ua- ,
ure and art which is attanable, ad which {
lone can bring prosperity. t
We need the railroads, the costly work. OF
nan, in part, and much more do we iced the +
AXE and Mississippi systems, the magnificent
lift of God ). L