The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-01-29
THE GREAT NEED OF THE MISSIS
SIPPI VALLEY.

THE PEOPLE MUST UNITE AND DEMAND OF
CONGRESS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
In discussing the present and future of
Memphis, the Avalanche, of that city, urges
as a great necessity, the improvement of
the Mississippi river and the reclamation Of
the immense bodies Of fertile lands on
either side of it, that are now worthless be-
cause OF periodical foundations. AS the
facts and arguments of the Avalanche ap-
ply to Cairo with as much force as they do
to Memphis, we give them place in this is
sue of TnE BULLETIN. Regarding Mem
phis as weighed to the earth by her pecu-
| mary embarasSments, the Avalanche in
Quires;
What can rescue us from this state of
things as thoroughly as an unlimited trade
passing up and down the Mississippi river,
and an industrious population settled along
| its banks, where periodic overtiows render
any settlement impossible! The knowledge
that such results were possible Of accom-
plishment ought TO arouse the energies Of
every resident Of the Mississippi valley.
Make the Mississippi river the great high
way Of the nation, for which position ma
mre has so well fitted it; let the vast COM
mcrce from the Missouri, from the Yellow
stone down, of the Mississippi from the
Sank rapids, Of the Ohio from the junction
of the Allegheny and the Monongahcla, and
of all the vast and numerous tributaries
pouring into these rivers, all pass by the
bluffs OF Memphis on their way to the sea,
and what revolution would be accom-
plished in our condition, Imports from
the various portions of the world would
seek purchasers in our markets, passing
boats would put in here for supplies, and
we should be in cheap communication
with all portions Of the Mississippi valley,
These advantages would attract population,
encourage manufactures, and make Mem
phis one of the most houtishing and pros
porous cities in North America. With this
population, this trade, this prosperity, of
what weight would be the Indebtedness
under which we now stagger! Here
lies the way out of our troubles, here
lies the course that leads to SUGGESTIVE
improvement Of the Mississippi river, open
navigation to the gulf Of Mexico, access by
water to the seaports Of the world. Is all
this Of possible attainment Read the re-
port of the congressional committee, and
see the prospect it opens when il recon-
mcnds legislation that shall give twenty
five foot channel from New Orleans to St.
Louis. The report shows that all we speak
of can be accomplished by congress grant
ing the necessary aid. But can congress be
induced to take that care Of the Mississippi
river it has up to this time lavishly dis.
pensed elsewhere ! This is the very ques-
ton the pcopleof this valley are mainly in.
terestcd in, and every citizen should make
himself acquainted with the subject Of
Mississippiriver improvement in order that
he may successfully give his aid, MS u citi-
zen, to accomplish the desired result We
know that many persons will not take in
terest in this matter from belief that con-
gress viii continue to DO az neglectful Of Il
I'm the future as they have been
~ the past II I'VE 81 the right way y