New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-24
THE DESTRUCTION OF NIAGARA.

If the owners of the land along Niagara
River from the head of the rapids to the new
suspension bridge should build high fence
about 1t with no admittance painted "n tile
gate. this procedure would arOusb some lndlg-
nation. And yet the prOprietors would be
acting clearly within their rights. The land IL
theirs and ownership gives them authority to
warn away all trespassers. Indeed, if the rush
ing waters here are to be harnessed TO
machinery and give motion to the shaftlng OF u
line of factories along the bank, the owners or
lessces will be compelled in elf-deiense to ex-
clude from their grounds the thronSlng visit
ors drawn within by the cataract. AS IT Is,
there is not point on American soil where one
can see the Falls without paving for the prlyl-
lece and the land owners offer Sufficient REASON
to Justify their charges. But, after all, no one
can contemplate this state of things without
feeling his sense of justice violated. Niagara
stands alone. 1t is invested with a supreme
sublimity Such miracle of grace and
grandeur should of right he the possession or
the race. And the man vino is shut out by an
other from this inspiring and ennobling pre--
ence complains insGnctivcly. as one defrauded
of his Inheritance.
But what does it matter that all the world is
welcome to Niagara, if Niagara itself is to be
destroyed. So long as the great chain OF lakes
remains to feed it, there will be a river full OF
water pouring over a precipice. But Niagara
is something more than a naked waterfall. One
| need not 20 to the islands in the rapids nor
on the river bank to see the glory and delight
| fitness of trees and rich underwood and gar
| lands of living vine by waters, still or flowing.
| n. - IL, a,A
| the ontreaching of the bare branches in the
winter have value that cannot be measured.
| They are more even than foil and setting to
| the pitless rush of the waters. They are es-
| septial parts Of complete work Ill which all
| the elements are so fused into vital unity that
| the loss of one is not a mere DETACHMENT OF
Disagreement of the whole. 1t is destruction
If. still further, this harmonious beauty OF
| forest growth is replaced by the vulgar intru-
sion of all things distracting, incOngruOus and
uasiehtly, the Niagara Of subj nlty and lowell
| ness is ruined forever.
Now, the havoc has already begun, as every
! body knows. 1t will surely continue, with an
| ever-increasihg power to destroy, so long as the
land on the river border remains i'll private
hands, not because of any special greed OF
bameworthiness of the present PROJECTORS,
who are as public spirited as any successors of
| theirs are likely to be, but of necessity, from
| the conditions Of the case. The plain and only
remedy, then, is for the State to take and dedi-
| cate it forever to the nOblest service which il
! cal render to mankind. Fortunately this will
! bring no loss to business enterprise. Above
! and below the Falls is ample opportunity to
utilize the energy which manufacturing econ
| Omy groves to see running waste-whlle this
| crowuing work Of nature can he left free to
minister in fullest measure its pure and whole
some delight to mans higher nature. FoItu-
nately, 100, there need he no indefnitentss or
uncertainty as to just what shall be done. The
ground has been surveyed and studied by a
| competent commission appointed by the State.
| report has been rendered in which are accu-
rately set forth the land which should be Sc
cured and how 1t should be treated, with con-
vlncng reasons TO- every recommendation.
What is needed now is the legislative action ia
carry INTO effect this wise counsel. To this
| end every citizen can help by making petition
to his representative that this lasting disgrace
TO say nothing of the direc: pecuniary los,
which the final destruction of Niagara would
entail, Indy not fall upon the State.