Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-18
ARTHU OPPORTUNITY.

1t is announced that President Arthur
eontemPlates sending a special message 10
Congress, recommending immediate action
for the improvement of the Mississippi river
aud the future protection of the people who
have been ruined by the overflow. Arthur
Is now considered the wrecker of the Repub-
lican party. He has made three States
overwhelmingly Democratic by his veto of
the Chinese bill, and has arrayed the
naturalized voters born in Europe in oppo-
sition 10 the Republicans, for the intelligent
lsborers from all other nations will vote
against any party which forces them to CON-
pete with the Chinese, who can afford to work
for wages on which the laborers Of America,
whether native-born or from Europe, would
ztarve. President Arthur, by his veto mes
ssge, has provoked the wrath Of the people
cursed with Chinese labor. He has an
opportunity to aPpease public Indignation
If ne will send a special message to
Congress, pleading for the reclamation
of the lowlands along the Mississippi river,
he will produce such a diversion Of
public sentiment that the people viii forget
the evil results Of one message in the good
proposed by the other. President Arthur
has manifested much sympathy for the
Chinese hordes, who live in filth and vice,
who dare not renounce their allegiance to
the rulers of their native land, who hate our
civilization, our laws and our religion, our
customs, our modes of thought and OF life,
and it would be most appropriate and COM
----'---a0if a. e0e,1 --~-ifSsS the same
sympathy for the sufferers by the overflow.
American citizens who love our institutions
and possess all the habits, customs and ideas
OF liberty, law and government appertaining
TO our civilization. The soil of the over |
flowed country is too rich, and the people |
who own it are too numerous and intelligent |
not to be protected. The loss by the recent
flood is acknowledgements than any |
sum Congress is likely to appropriate
for years. No power can restrain the people
from occupying these lands, and even ii no.
body was concerned but the farmers who
own and cultivate them, they should
have that protection for which governments
are instituted. But this is matter
which concerns millions of people The
Mississippi river improvement is great
duty, and the people of this great
valley are resolved that it shall receive that
aid which Congress has lavished upon enter
prises Of less importance The expense of
improving the river and stfordiug protection
against overflow, no matter how much il
may cost,rwiil be ineonsiderabIe vLeu
to the advantages certain pro-
lection to the farmer and the navigation of
h..
rich the nation by its increase, and the
wealth it will insure the country by protect
ing its remuneratiye sugar and cotton crops
from the dangers impending every season.
The Mississippi river Is the properly of the
nation. During the war it was maintained
h at the control of the Mississippi river
alone was enough to justify the North in
preventing dissolution of the Union.
And this great river being the natural
'utlet for the products of the heart of the
country, and involving the prosperity of
! dozen of the richest States OF the Union,
he government cannot afford to leave its
are to the changing and conflicting policy ,
md the sporadic efforts of the States that are /
Interested in its improvement. Both as re-
ards its navigation and its overflow, the
government should have entire control over
his river. The people living in the over
Owed districts are more 10 be pitied than d
he Chinese, and President Arthur can re- a
ain much of the popularity he has lost by
ne veto message if he will send to Congress
s.llzSYsszs1s.--as--Hza-z ---------1 49, !
he Mississippi river, thus protrotips-. :
ias' OF people worth more to the general !
FosPerity of the country than the immigra- '
ion of 100000 of coolies. This neglected i
liver has taken ample revenge for the slight =
hioh Congress has put upon it, as is DEM {
nstrated by the devastation and distress v
aused by the recent overflow, and future I
pglect will result Ia similar cslamitieH.