Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1882-04-15
National Protection from
Overflow.


control of the leveos, in connection
with and as part of the work of
improving the navigation of the Mis-
sissippi river! is the all-important
question, that overshadows all others,
so far as the people of the Mississippi
Valley are concerned; because it in-
wolves their future veal or woe
Further argument, as to right or
neces sity, it appears to US as useless;
for arguments have already been used
that should convince the most obsti-
nate opponents of the measure, who
are not Influenced by determination
to see the inhabitants of the great val
lev starved out and driven from their
homes in one Of the most fertile re-
gions on the continent, or who are not
void Of all knowledge Of public inter
est and even the Inherent principles Of
humanity. Though they may doubt
the duty Of the government to assume
the protection of the lands of the sew.
eral states of the valley from inunda-
tion. they should recognize the fact
that il would be q saving of money TO
the government, If it is to continue to
furnish rations to the sufferers from
overflow from year TO year-and they
cannot be so inhuman as to protest
against such acts of benevolence-and
they should know that to refuse to do
this work is to throw away millions
of revenue to the government that it
is capable of producing under proper
system of protection.
1t is o fact, that We fully recognize,
that the doctrine of states rights
stands as an insurmountable obstacle
with some in the way Of this impor-
,ant measure, but they should reTem-
ber that that princi pie or doctrine was
overthrowyo With the ConfrdcrnoJ-
say what we may, we al know that
this is so-but even the idea that the
measure conflicts with the doctrine OF
states rights exists only in the imagi-
nation of the advocates Of those rights.
The Mississippi is national stream
all navigable streams are-and the
territory its waters overflow is not
bounded by state lines, but extends
over portions Of several states, so
that no one state can protect its own
lands from overflow without extend
ing its levecs to the soil Of a neigh
boring state or securing the coopera
ton of such state. Therefore the
levee system is ma ally a nationa
system, nnd should De under the con
troll of the national government.
But we did not start out to argue
this question, which we think has beer
argued sufficiently. What we neet
now is action-action prompt ant
efficient. If congress ever intends t.
take hod cf this matter and make al
appropr alton sufficient to accomplish
the work, now is The time 10 it. Their
is no time to be lost. Within the mex
twelve months we will be exposed t
i the same dangers with which we or
now overwhelmed, if not worse. Th
levees are swept away, and we or
without the means to rebuild then
, and the longer they remain broke
4 the less able we will he to do tb
: work.
This matter has been in the hand
of committees long enough-there ba
n been enough delays-and we no'
urge the friends Of the measure I
give it their entire and undivided q
tention. Let political questions /
made subordinate TO this issue. l.,
your political friends know that yo
r. regard the material interests of yor
3 constituents as paramount to politics
{ interests and that you are going
y serve them first and al the time unt
# this issue is disposed of
We are tired of suspense, and "