The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1882-04-29

oscillations caused by this means
in the channel Of the river are not
unlike the sinuous windings Of the
folds of a huge serpent.
1t follows, therefore, thar town
situated on the alluvial banks Of
the lower Mississippi. has not so
assured a foundation as towns
built upon those rivers whose
banks are the seated hills Of the
North country; that is to say, i'll
they are lett to the mercy of these
shifting currents.
Those who have watched the
movements of the river in this Vi
einity for the past few years, are
aware that the caving OF the bank
has uniformly commenced at the
point of the island above town,
from whence il has followed down
the bank, making liberal requiSi-
tions upon the front of the town.
Ii would seem to follow, almost
eonclusively, that if the caymg
could be stoppedat the commence
ment, the town might come to
have a permanent front. But it
win be asked, how is this TO be
done : Evidently, many persons
think it never can, or never will
be; because those who have ,oea-
ted their business at a certain dis
lance from the river have aleu-
lated that it will be certain mum.
Der Of years before the river bank
reaches them, each one thinks he
can stand the less when il comes.
But a caving bank is perhaps
not the only trouble to be appre-
hended. Supposing that the river
should make such inroads into its
banks for a considerable distance
above town, that the point Of re-
coil should come so much higher
up as to throw n sandbar in front
of the town! This, too, would be
fatal to its commercial prosperity,
and perhaps necessitate a change
of location. On the other hand
supposing the river, not satisfied
with this, should make farther in
roads and seek a new channel
This, in alllikelihood, would be The
channel of The Black river, ii
which ease Greenvilie would per
haps become an island; or, if the
necessities of the river demanded
it, might be obliterated altogether
The views Of individuals in re
gard to their own private property
do not sayor much of public spirit
And indeed, if each one in his owl
behalf should apply to Congress
for assistance, they would seem t.
have small chance for hearing
but would it be SO if the city, il
its corporate capacity, shoult
make such application9 That {
thriving town on the Mississippi
with a population of not less than
three thousand, and a taxable pro
perty of perhaps 100000, backet
by q country Of great extent ant
fertility of soil, should think al
appropriation was needed to sc
cure her river front, seems in ne
way surprising; and considering
the mood of mind of Congressmel
toward this section at present, i
would perhaps be no more surpri
sing if it should be granted.
To persons having resided in o.
visited Northern or Eastern citieI
the project of constructing break
waters upon the banks of the Mis-
sissippi, suggests nothing impos
sible. The driving of piles in th,
soft mud of salt water marshes
and the construction therein o
dwelling houses aud the most soil,
! and durable warehouses, are thing
, of every day occurrence in thes
, sections. Hundreds of acres hay,
, been reclaimed in this way. T,
Eastern mechanics these thing
I are nothing out of the common
way. Cities must be built on soil,
foundations, or have no permar
ency. Would Congress make Al
appropriation for a postoflice or
custom house here, if it was prot
able the foundations would b
washed away in ten yearsl II.