Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-08-03
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.

Ii
"Time works wonders" and,
none the less true, familiarity
breeds contempt" When M. de
Lesseps completed the suez Canal,
the whole world looked on and ap-
plauded. For the time being, this
Frenchman was a very Prince
among Engineers, and anybody who
doubted it was eft for treason.
After a time, however, it was re-
membered that the face of the 18TH
mus of Suez was level and the soil
extremely loose, and, consequently,
the only engineering feat necessary
to its construction was the ability to
raise the money. Again, it is
known that full three thousand
years ago a water way had been
constructed across this neck of land,
and had been in working order.
Thus familiarity with the work of
M. de Lesseps bred, if not contempt,
and least, less extravagant praise of
him. ~
The reason of the construction Of
this canal was the increase of. COM
merce caused by the development of
steam traffic. As soon as it was
shown that this development would
pay, of course the work begun. In
this day every chance to make
money is eagerly grasped. Capital
is hard to WOO and easily alarmed,
but the instant it sees that it can
increase itself and multiply, it leaves
its hiding place and puts itself in
the hands of men willing and abl'
to WELD it. The same reason
that made the Suez Canal necessary
is now clamoring for the construc
ton of a water>road between the
Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, in
the Western Continent. The West
ern States are on account Of theil
inability to put their products into
market with low rate of freight
put in very disadvantageous posi-
ton. Shipping clear across a con
tinent is very expensive and whel
the products of this section are
little larger this canal not only be
comes necessity but prime necea
sity. . .f. 'E
The only thing then left for tn
capitalists is to- select rout
and begin the construction of tn
-desideratum. There is the onl,
difficulty. For long time we ha
but little knowledge of the IsthmuE
but in 1869 the Navy Department
ordered a full survey of it by naya
officers. For six winters was tn
work carried on, and in 1876 til
result of their labors, in the form {
a report, was laid before con
mission appointed by the Presiden
and composed of the Chief Engir
eer of. the War Department, th
Chief of the Coast and Geodeti
Survey of the Treasury Depar
ment, and the Chief of the Burea
of Navigation of the Navy Depar
ment. This report was receive
and most carefully considered b
the commissioners, and they unan
mously reported: so 2 -'''
"That the route known as the Nj
araguan possesses, both for X
construction and maintenance of
canal, greater advantages, and offe
fewer difficulties from engineerin
commercial, and economic points
view than any one of the 9th
rountes shown to be practicable /
surveys sufficiently in detail to enab
judgment to be found of their rel
tive merits" sass 1t5- %~a i
This is authoritative, and Il
route suggested must be consider,
feasible. They give three reason
which are the three most to be CO
sidered ~, cheaper to bull,
~, cheaper to keep in good conc
ton; (3). greater advantage
commerce. - -'
In the mean time, M. de Lesser
not content with his little Su
Canal, must needs turn his ate
ton to the New Word. A party
his friends was sent out to su