Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-09
BIZ a staf Correspondent.


Der, 1879, General Henry G. Wayne, gentleman
possessing the widest experience and observa-
ton, said:
The more one studies the Raiford system of
inland water communication between the Mis-
sissippi river and the Atlantic Ocean, the m ore
its advantages to and influence upon the inter-
vening States that it will border upon become
apparent"
He might have added with equal truth and
power, all the States in the Mississippi valley.
Twenty States and Territories with an aggre-
gate population of twenty-five millions, must
feel the impulse of mighty waterway, form
ing an outlet for their surplus produce to the
Atlantic at a mere tithe Of the cost Of railway
perfected railway machinery.
If as we think we have abundautly proved
that the numerous lines of splendidly equipped
railways have already failed to meet the ext
section of that territory what basis of improve
ment can they offer to meet that of a few years
hence, when fifty millions of people. occupy
ing half the territory of the Union, shall ask
for cheap transportation to the AtlanticS
Again, we might ask, il a few barges could
save over two hundred millions of dollars TO
the producers, over railway cost, on one year S
industry of four millions of people in the up
save on the productions of the whole great
valley of twenty-five millions of people? If
we multiply these figures into each other we
have the astounding result of over 81, 2O0, 000,-
900 for the entire valley. But it will be said the
figures are enormously exaggerated, and that
at least one-third of the produce, population
and territory, taken into account, are not tr1b-
utary to barge lines of the Mississippi valley.
Very well-let it be so considered, though not
true, and we will make an enormous reduction.
not of one-third, but of one-hGG, and we
still have the almost iuconceivable amount of
$50, 900, 000 as saving by barge transportation
on q single grain croD-and, mark you-the
incipient barge experiments which made this
exhibit to the country. cleared for the owners,
profit of one hundred per cent
We apprehend that no part of the population
OF the valley, however remote. or env1roned
by other but costlier modes of transportation
will ever consent TO sacrifice for sentiment the
overshadowing advantage OF economy indi-
Gated above; and we may therefore consoll-
date the entire region OF the Mississippi and
Missouri with their mighty tributaries except
the Ohio, and concentrate the whole upon
barge transportation. The adage that time
is money" as applied to more rapid transit by
railway over water transportation, loses It's
force In the reverse effected through excess OF
cost by rapid transit. The market is never in
such haste that 1t cannot wait for something to
buy and sell. IL there is a real demand at all,
it will certainly remain until satisfied by the
supply. and trade ever adjusts itself to the
methods of delivery.
DuG III any regard Gl0 foregoing as 6AhRS6-
rated based upon the grain crop alone what
will be thought of the figures after receiving
the addition OF other productions Of the great
est and most fertile valley on the globe? Does
grain alone constitute the entirety Of trans
portation from that great aluvial empire? 1t
occurs to us that London, Liverpool, Lowell,
Manchester, indeed all civilization, regard it
also as the Vertable cotton empire of the
world, destined to clothe as well as feed one
half of the human race. 1t has by nature been
held in reserve for ages in preparation for ad-
vanced civilization, and, as il designed for the
seat of mans last and most glorious empir1,
lifted up in the grand final triumph OF physi-
cal and intellectual grandeur, it has been en-
riched, embeIIished and provided with the ele-
ments of national power, far beyond all other
regions on the face of the earth
We are not singular in our ideas concerning
the magnitude and importance of this great
valley In Congress June 2lst, 1879, on a bill
for the improvement of the Mississippi Mr..
Garfield spoke as follows:
Il believe that one of the grandest of our
material national interests-one thatis national
in the largest material sense of that worlds
the Mississippi river and its navigable tribu-
taries. It is the most gigantic single national
feature Of our continent far transcending the
glory of the ancient Nile, or of any other river
on the earth. The craftsmanship Of
America must grapple the problem Of
for any State to handle: too much
for any authority less than that of the nation
itself to manage And l believe the time will
come W0en Cno nOorai I01QQeu SJdG6smanSllp
OF this country will advise a wise and compre-
hensive system that will harness the powers of
this great river to the material interests of
America so that not only all the people who
live on its banks and the banks OF its confiu-
ents, but all the citizens of the republic,
whether dwellers in the central valley or on
the slope Of either ocean, will recognize the
Importance of preserving and perfcctiug this
great natural and material bond Of national
union between the North and the South-a
bond to be so strengthened by commerce and
intercourse that it can never be severed. APP
plause1 I rejoice In anv oc-
casion which enables Representatives from
the North and from the South to unite in
an bipartisan effort to promote great
national interest. (Applause Such an occa-
sion is good for us both. And when we can do
it without the sacrifice Of our convictions, and
can bens nt millions of our fellow citizens. and
can Thereby strengthen the bonds OF the Union,
we ought to do 1t with rejoicing, for in doing
so we inspire our people with larger and more
views, and help to confirm for them
and for our children to the latest generations,
the indissolube union and the permanent
grandeur of the republic" Applause on both
sides of the House
Broad national sentiments like these after
ward elected MIR. Garfield President of the
United States by his party, and gained for him
as President the respect and admiration Of his
opponents. He foresaw and advocated then
just what the people are asking Congress to do
now: with liberal-miuded statesmanship to
devise a wise and comprehensive system that
The material interests of America" To per
feet the great national bond of national uniou
between the North and the South, to be so
by commerce and intercourse
that it can never be severed"
Many other members of Congress uttered
similar broad national sentiments on that oc-
casion, but 1t is unnecessary to reproduce
them here. Mr.. Garfield sounded the keynote |
that must swell to the grand full chorus Of re-
stored national harmony. While the nation
stands ready, Congress alone hestates and pro
t.AH.
DR. confer upon the people their own Party
interest must be consulted. must take prece-
ience over the material interests of the coun-
Try. In our partisan system OF administration
he greatest material interests may be set aside
Or deferred through whole decades, while nom
sensical debate upon trihing partisan issues |
sxhausts itself and the public treasury in
he vain effort to hold the country |
mas grown too great to be longer confined |
within these narrow bounds, as evinced by |
more than one disastrous overthrow Of a DOM |
nant party, as unexpected as it was revou- |
ionary of public sentiment. The commin-
Cling OF nationalities, tongues, creeds and /
principles has moulded us into a new nation; /
he old landmarks. secular and sectarian, are
'apidly giving way to cosmopolitan philosophy
md utilitarian luxury. Americans care not so |
much fur principle or prejudice for pros
)erity and fortune, to win distinction, create /
'ase and pamper pride. They "stoop to con-
luer, " and abandon party as soon as it fails to
pay"
few observations in this direction might
ave some of our public men great deal of
seless debate, tresome research and annoy
ne restriction to the letter of partisan edict.
While it would enable them to relax and come |
o the aid of the country occasionally when |
reat material interests call for immediate |
ction. And what material interest could an |
zeal to Congress with greater force than "a
rise and comprehensive system thai will har-
ess the powers" OF the great Mississippi riverS
have declared it necessary to
the bond of union and perpetuate
be grandeur Of the nation. If this be true.
eglect or refusal to act is want of patriotism
nd the very guardians Of the public veal
ecome obstacles in the way of national pro
ress. The greatest of the powers vet ex-
ibited by that mighty stream and one which
romises to revolutionize the carrying trade of
orth America, is its capacity for barge trans
ortation. In this alone has the keenest sa-
acity been able to promise adequate means of
'ansportation for the teeming millions soon to
G doubled and quadrupled in that mighty val
y; and, second in importance only to this
reat necessity, is the ''harnessing'' another of
le great powers of the Mississippi by inland
of its waters with The Atlantic
cean, through channel already so nearly
ompleted by nature. &C. B.
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Aristocratic circles In Cohoes, N. Y, are
realty agitated over the unexpected ter