The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-05-05
NAVIGATION AND FLOODS.
(Concluded trOm last meeh }

physics OF Tue mississippi ohs'h h"u va '"'
country by omnlpOlenI power, lntellocheu
with the welfare of our people and then
destiny IN the world, and To which our
politics and national policies should con-
form now.
Letus fully understand and keep con-
stantly IN mind that the best business re-
suits in the production OF iron and steel IN
this interior, on these lakes and rivers, can
not possibly be won without tins naviga-
ton, this suitable connection VIA the
Illinois, and this reasonable clearing away
OF snags aud wrecks below. THIS union
possesses no gicater or more valuable stores
of ore and coal than those Of the great lake
and region. But their most economic com
blna,lOn for Manufacture is physical I'M
possibility without this improved naviga-
ton and this suitable connection via the
Illinois.
A most grant, pract cal and beautiful
arrangement IA clearly written IN nature by
the Supreme Architect, ~ to the great lake
and Mississippi systems, and his PLACID
gentle Illinois river connection. Ana thls
line OF navigation from lake to gun is the
very key of the citadel Of our country s
greatest resources in peace, and OF It's strong
est and safes, defense in war. Without
this navigation, suitably cleared and con
nected, the most economic development OF
resources, stability in business, and safe
and general prosperity for the people of
this union, cannot tie reached; and with
out thus, our best influence and CONNER
clal and general benefits can. Ut be eS-
tended abroad over the world al large.
We must remember that there IS but one
Mississippi basin We must remember
that we have but one Mississippi system,
one great lake system, and one Illinois
connection, aud that all the coirclalive In.
teres.s and connected resources arc 10y ma
tuIe united or intended to be. And II can
be easily shown that the needed work
should awaken no antagonism OF interests
whatever, especially when considered, as
now II must be, with reference to the ques
ton Of floods as well rs navigation, and
that the reasonable work needed can and
should be done with fullest reference 10
this unity OF interests, and WIDE, general
and universal benefits
And 1t Is more than high time that the
people of the state and nation.
journalists, railroad men, lake men, river
men, and everybody else-understoD ID this
fully and acted decisively, setting guards
against that set OF adverse influences, trench.
cry and sluggish incapaciy that have hin
dered defeated, betrayed, misled and kept
back the practical work that IS needed, and
that have frustrated the efforts and sHCri-
ices OF faithful and devoted workers.
Happily the people Of Illinois, by their
votes in November last for the conditional
cession OF the Illinois and Michigan canal
free to the United States, have opened the
way for the right aud full application and
fuitillment of great principle IN our or
ganiC national law, which illustrates the
wisdom, patriotism and foresight OF the
founders OF our government and applies to
this great case perfectly, justly and truly,
and that Is also in entire correspondence
with the physics flour country and with
the structure OF our political institutions
and aCcOrds with all our great practical in
terests east west, north and SOuth-in
every good sense. refer to the naviga-
ton clause IN The ordinance OF 1881 which
in its most excellent spirit and true inten-
ton | have found sale guide from the
time of our contest in 1857 10 the present
hour. The Illinois Legislature and the L.
s. Supreme court have assailed IL, and fear
fui fralricidal war has ragged around l..
But thanks to the Great Ruler it is still
valid and IN force. Like the mountains
that wlthstoOd the food, 1t stands firm, its
benehccnt purpose Is fixed for y better ia
turc And on 1t the ark OF the safety, vel. |
fare and prosperity of our people may yet
rest safely, while our navigation advances
to fulfill It's proper part IN the grand econ
omy Of our own country and the world and
help our people and country to fulfill their
high and noble destiny In conformity with
their own best interests and the best inter
ests of all nations. Our business and prac
teal interests in the past have often been
betrayed aud have often suffered needless
destruction and overthrow. Great as have
been the labors and achievements OF oar
people and the resources OF our country, IL |
is shown now by recent statistics that the |
gross amount OF property IN this country
only shows, per capita, about the same rs
that IN Mexico, where great industry is not
expected and where the wonderful appli-
anCes OF art and science which we possess
are almost unknown,
This condition of affairs is due chiefly TO !
two causes. Oae is the pressure Of cX;cr-
nal trans Atlantic interests acting upon all
our affairs; the other the neglect and he
trayal OF our iulaud and ocean navigation
and maritime affairs.
De roquevlle sad that 'Ihc valley of
the Mississippi il, upon the whole the
most magnificent dwelling place prepared
by God for mans abode" But when we
destroy the rivers by obstructops Or tail To
clear them out and connect them suitably
with the lakes, thus rejecting the use of
our country's natural organs, we waste aud
mar our inheritance and prepare the way
for unproftable effort, loss, poverty, debts,
usury and ruin, at least to the MASSES
We also by this class of errors in the
public economy prepare the way for gen
eral instability IN legitimate business and
in the whole social structure, thus lessen
ing true practical knowledge and conf
dencc IN man. Not only has this been
done in some degree, but our carrying
trade on the ocean has mostly been given
TO England. And by a secret and pcrfidi.
Gus change in the laws, our monetary stan.
dard of silver and gold was struck down,
and the English standard OF gold only was
set up for time,
Thus every existing contract WAS VIC
lated, every debtor was injured, vast mum
bers ruined and only a silent and mighty
change IN the planet We inhablt, deep in
the heart of nature, saved Us from the rum
that the war almost brought Soon after
the peridIous and hidden change in the
laws Imperialism announced It's presence