The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1878-02-03
PRODUCTS IN ~,

These impressive aggregates are only
q partial exhibition OF the fertility and res
sources Of the Mississippi valley. But
these products are mere commodities, aud
the commerce which exchanges and dis
tributes them represents almost incalcu'
liable values. 1he government report
upon the internal commerce OF the United
States for 1876 attirms that probably the
total value Of our internal commerce Is at
least twenty-five times greater than the
value OF our foreign commerce. But
our internal trade now amounts TO more
than 81 ,0O0, 900 600 annually. Upon the
extremely moaest assumption that only
One-tifth Of these exchanges are made In
the states that border upon the Missis.
sjppi, then commercial values to the ex.
tent OF $5,0c0, 900 900 are mrasurably ais
fected by the Stage OF water in the Mlssis-
slppi river. Ii Is indeed true that only a
very small part OF this vast traffic Is ever
borne upon the waters of the Mississippi,
vet 1t is important to remember that the
rate by river determines the rate by rail.
IL Is an excess OF caution TO limit the
benefits of an unobstructed Mississippi to
the adjacent states-the advantages would
be national. Tie improvement OF the
RIVER would reduce the cost OF transporta-
ton throughout the country. Interests
nf such transcendent magnitude deserve
congressional protection and promotion.
Second. Practical sieamboa,nlen assure
this committee that, II the Mississippi
were tree from all impediments. the total
saving In the less cost, lighter draught,
and greater capacity Of boats, In the
.vniAappa nf s.nEflv lalava md IL, IA.
diminished expenses OF running, would
BIZ fully one-iourth. With a deepened
channel, tull ireights, and an adequate
ocean bnpRge,s the transportation Of
WHEAT from St.Paul to Liverpool, by the
Mississippi route, would cost eight or
ten cents a bushel less than shipments BY
way OF New York.
Il Ia probable that the economy on the
heavy ireighls which woul naturally
seek exchange by an unobstrutteJ Mis-
sissippi would pay for the proposed Inn
pr0vements In a single year. The per-
inaneDt deepening Of the Mississippi
river would attract large foreign trade,
and open cheap entrance to an inml-
grafton that wonld people our wild lands
and develop new sources OF public
wealth .lr,,t
An enlightened congress cannot afford
to neglect Tue national economy which
an IaiproTsd Mississippi would insure.
The possible sowing IN the movement OF
our boundless haryesis and heavy mer>
chandisc .is almost iDesiimable. There ia
now autlraent demand for retrenchment
--buttberc IA no economy which would
so greatly Zurich the nation ms a liberal
outlay for the Improvement Of the Mis-.
sissIppI.
Tlird. The facilities which an unob-
structcd Mississippi would afford for
natIonal unity aud defense cannot wisely
be ignored. Material ties are perhaps
\ the strongest alliance Of states. The
bonds Of great and recognized interest.
a are merely lndissolnhle. The military
service which the Mississippi aud its
trlbhoarics rendered Ia the late war was
memorahly eIllclent. The foremost gov
( efnwGats<f Ehvope long since adopted
M b0llcy 81 effectively improving their
rivers. A policy which bears such his.
toftc sanctions Of wisdom aed utility