Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-01-19

would materially improve our Yankee
manners, or want of manners.
Gen. Grant on the Inter. Oceanic Canal,
Gen. Grants paper on the inter ocelnir
canal projects promised for the North
american Revtew for February, has al
ready got into the papers in full.
Alter glancing at the history of the
movements looking to the b ilding of an
inter. oceanic canal and pointing out the
wonderful saving in distance which would
follow the accomplishment of such a
scheme. Gen. Grant proceeds to discuss
the question of routes. He objects to the
Panama route because of the impossible
and unhealthy swamps which encompass
it, because of the necessity for long and
expensive tunnels amt open cuts for IA safe
viaduct because of the want of material
Tor construction, because of the addition
of 500 miles 10 the distance between New
York and ports on the west coast, and be-
cause of tho long calms prevailing in
Panama Bay. He places the cost of the
Panama canal at $400, ,000.00 and adds !:
- The American capitalist would be likely
to look in vain for dividends on An invest.
ment like this" In short be thinks Mr..
De Lesseps's scheme has little or nothing
to recommend it. He states that the
Nicaragua route can be easily and econom-
ically constructed, that there are admir-
able approaches 10 it from the sen, both
east and west, that the distance saved be-
tween Liverpool and the North American
ports over that of the Panama route is
considerable, and that it can be built for
ut least SO, 000.0 900 less than the Panama
route. In this connection figures are
submitted prepared by Civil Engineer
Menocal, wi o estimated that the Nicaragua
canal can be built for 1852 577, ,7l8. A
subsequent estimate based on more recent
surveys reduces the cost to trihe over
S4l 100000 Hence Gen. Grant feels
warranted in asserting that 'even apply
ing most literally the rule that engineers
estimates are almost always below the cost
of great ublc works, the outlay for the
Nicaragua route would not be above $780,
100000 The surveys, he says, have devel
oped extraordinary facilities for the work.
Construction materials are abundant
throughout the entire line. The harbors
of Brto and Greytown are capable of
being made convenient and excellent.
rhe water supply from Lake Nicaragua
is free from deposit and is abundant and
easily obtained, the lake itself being the
summit of the canal. The rainfall is not
excessive. The climate during the trade
winds is delightful. The county is capa-
BILE of producing all the subsistence that
would be required by the laborers employ.
ed in the construction of the canal. The
local productions are valuable and i'm
portant articles of commerce. In the con
slruction, feeders, tunnels and viadncts
are not necessary" The concessions made
by the government of Nicaragua are re-
garded us exceedingly liberal and calculat.
ed 10 promote the commercial and national
interests of the United States. The conces
sion is made 10 Americans, the society is
made up of Americans, all The corporators
are Americans, and the act of incorpora.
lion is asked of AN American congress.
Every step of this project recognizes the
right of the United States to gaurd with
Jealous care the American continent
against the encroachments of foreign
powers. The canal, Gen. Grant believes,
will be profitable investment: Estimat-
my The cost OF the Canal at S75,0UO.O00 II
charge of ~ 50 for canal tolls and all
other charges would give gross income
of Sl0,0U0.0U0 on the 4,000,000 tons upon
Ahlch former calculations have been
based. Deducting ilom this 1900, 900
for the expenses OF maintaining and operat-
my the canal, 1--WE have" Says Gen. Giant,
SO, 500, 900 AS the net earnings of the
wolk.' He concludes AS follows:
An intcr.oceanic canal across the Amer
lean isthmus will be the greatest thorough
fare between our Atlantic and Pacific
shores, and virtually II part of the coast
line of the United States. Our merely
commercial interest in it is greater than
hat of all other countries, while its rela-
tions to our power and prosperity as a
nation, TO our means of defence, our unity,
peace and safety are matters of paramount
concern 10 the people of the United States
No other great power would. under
similar circumstances, fail to assert "A
rightful control over a work so closely and
vllally affecting its interests and welfare
In accordance with the early and later
policy of the government; in obedience Ia
the often expressed will of the American
people; with Il due regard to our national
dignity and power; with a watchful care
for the safety and prosperity of our in
teress and industries on this continent
and with determination to gaurd agains,
even the first approach of rival powers
whether friendly or hostile, on these
shores. commend an American canal or
American soil to the American people
and congratulate myself on the fact thai
the most careful explorations have demon.
.,tr taI hat 1ta ot, -, l..
attitude before the world is the one which
colhmends itself as II judicious, economical
and prosperous work. l have formed the
opinions expressed in this article not from
"a hasty consideration of the subject, and
not without personal observation. While
commanding the army of the United
States my attention was drawn 10 the
water communicable have here discuss.
ed. During my administration of the
government endeavored to impress upon
the country the views then formed; anC
| shall feel that l have added one more
act of my life to those have already re-
corded if | shall succeed in impressine
upon congress and the people the high
value as a commercial and Industrial en-
terprise of this work. which, if not nc
complished by Americans, will undoubt
edly be accomplished by some of oul
rivals in power and influence.
The facts and logical deductions sub
mitted by Gen. Grant cannot fail to pro
duce II powerful effect upon the public
mind not only in this country but IL
Europe. Nothing is said of the Tehuante
pee ship railway scheme formulated by
Capt. Eads. Assuming either the Nicaragu,
nupal nn tho Iahla nj "a rni T. l.
to be practicable they could be put in
operation long before the completion o
the Panama canal.
The infant Princess of Spain reposes IL
a cradle of polished ebony inlaid will