The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-10-23

get that the markets of the world are con-
trolcd by competition, that the cheapest
goods of any quality will always secure the
market We must therefore offer not only, as
good as the best, but the cheapest, and to
do this we must be vigilant. We have a
soil of the greatest fertility, looked down
upon by a most genial sun, soil and sun
that none of our competitors can take from
US; and, If we are wise in the application
of labor and in the craftsmanship that de-
velops country, by encouragement of its
industries, we shall continue to hold our
place in the grain markets Of Europe. If
there is failure to apply skillful labor to
our fields the farmers will be to blame, but
the most skillful labor on the farm cannot
give us a permanent place at the head of
the grain markets Of the world if states.
manship refuses or is unable to give to us
the means Of obtaining at all times adc.
quate transportation 10 those markets at
cheap and unhuctuating rates. How can
this be done? is one OF the most important
questions of the day, do not propose to
discuss this great question at this time in
its many details, and will satisfy myself by
saying that legislation by the national gov.
eminent under the provisions of the consti.
tuition giving Congress power to regulate
interstate commerce, that will result in
preventing extortions, unjust discrimina.
tons, and sudden and frequent freight rate
fluctuations on the great East and West
railroad lines to the Atlantic scaboard,
and in improving the Mississippi river
in q way that would give . deep and
permanent channel from St. Louis to
the Gulf of Mexico AID q clear river and |
good channel to the Upper Mississippi and |
tributanes like the Illinois river, will be a
long step in the direction Of cheap tganspor-
tation from the heart of America, the valley
of the Mississippi, 10 the markets Of the
world The improvement ofthc Mississippi |
would also give 10 the people living in It's
valley new and important maykets-w)uld !
open to cur people direct communication
with South America and the West Indil Is
lands, and bring to our storeroom:, tol dis
tribu,ion, rich products that now reach Us
after searching for our market through
French, English, New York and Boston
warehouses Ar!moye than this. i would
resul, in the redemption Of millions of
acres Of land from annual overflow, make
fields out Of swamps, and in this way con-
tribute, not only to the wealth Of the coun-
try, but 10 remove the causes Of the malari- !
Gus plaques which year after year scourge
the lower Mississippi, and injure its pros
penty more even than iisorgan!zed society |
and the curse Of race politics. The work
that hes been done within the past few |
years at the mouth Of the river has had
very marked effect. In 70 the grain
receipts at New Orleans from January lst
to September eth, were 4,j0j,l04 bushels
IN 1871, 5,644,lj1, and in 1878, notwith.
standing the terrible pestileace that made |
every city, town and hamlet from Cairo TO |
the Gulf charnel house, the receipts OF |
grain at New Orleans from January lst 10 |
September eth, were s,GlS,0ll bushels, an
increase OF nearly 50 per cent. over 1876 |
and nearly 80 per cent, over 1877, and I be.
lieve the result may be fairly attributed to
the improvement at the mouth Of the river,
lately made by Capt, Eads. The increasa
in the receipts Of grain at New Orleans is
still going on, 0194,7js bushels having
been received ct that port up to the eth Of
September last during the present year. Il |
will continue to increase, and we car |
scarcely sur!nise the amount Of business tha; |
would be done, not only IN grain, but IN
other articles Of commerce at the cities I.
along this great river if we could secure a
combination Of deep rivers, exemption from
sectional strife, and energy and devotion to
business in the Mississippi valley.
You, gentlemen, are now in convention
for ihe purpose 0! contributing something
to the public sentiment that vii! compel III.
improvement Of the river, and I have no
doubt your deliberations will be marked by
discretion and wisdom, Iwlsh you success
in your efforts, and shall rejoice with you
in the contamination Of your purposes.
am satisfied that the'encrgy and businc,.
qualifications necessary On the part Of the
people interested in the proposed improve.
ment Of the Mississippi river to make it the
grand blessing it might be to them and the
whole nation, Will be developed in good
time, and that America, having solved many
Of the difficult problems Of craftsmanship,
ald developed all her Interests, will be en-
ablcd to compete successfully with all her