Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-06
The Nicarapna Canal.

The convention held in New Orleans last week
20 aid 10 the work OF populariEtng aud construct
ing the Nicaragua canal has called public atten-
,ion once more 20 that truly national project.
Yes, I'll a work which should command the
support Of the people Of every State In the
Union. The questions of the pracTicabihty, de-
sirabilty, and constitutsonalty OF the scheme
have all been settled in its favor. When we find
90 able constitutional lawyer as Senator NOR
Gan. Of Alabama, advocating 1t, we need not
longer entertain doubt IA 10 its constitution
atty But II we desire more opinions on that
point We can surely find one that will satisfy us In
the unanimous report OF the United States Sem
ate COMMITTEES on Foreign Relations made at
the last session. We shall cuu our facts from a
speech delivered in the United States Senate by
MIR. ALIEN, of Washington State, not quite a
year ago
The whole estimated cost Of the canal Is in
round numbers a hundred millions of dollars
not as much "a We expend every year IN pen
sioning the old soldiers Of this country. SO the
cost is not. or rather ought not to be- regarded
as an objection worthy of consideration or refd-
tation. Besides, we may need the bonds TO be
used In banking Between the port OF BritO,
on the Pacific coast, and Greytown. on the At
lantic the distance If but 100 miles. OF this
transit Lake Nicaragua furnishes 30 miles,
and the San Juan river 80. About twenty-eight
hours IL the estimated time Of the passage OF
ship from ocean 20 ocean, including lOckage.
The water az command will enable the canal to be
20 enlarged as TO accommodate any possible in
crease or development Of commerce. Electric
lights will food the canal and keep II covered
with vessels at night
The canal will shorten tho voyage between our
Pacific and Atlantic ports by about ten thousand
milesl SO says Senator ALLEN. The result will
he to unite our Atlantic and Pacific seaboards.
Tho State Of Washington alone has incalculable
resources Of forests, fisheries, coal iron, gold,
and silver, which cannot be developed until the
Nicaragua canal is constructed.
The Columbia river Is next In size to the Misss-
sippi. Its principal harbor is Pugets Sound. \
land-locked sea with islands. archipelagoes and
indentations presenting shOre-lue OF foyer 1000
miles. II Is peerless among the hsrbors Of the
world In the amplitude and security OF Its waters
and the advantages it offers 10 commerce
"Althcugh lying In the latitude Of Duluth there
has not been day since the ship Of the 1rst
navigator entered it that fee has hindered
vessel or wind endangered one In its harbors.'
We once heard Congressman THURsToN, of Ore
gon, say that IL was cold on the Atlantic coast
in latitude 80 as on the Pacific coast In latitude
a..
Il is estimated that there are in the State Of
Washington alone 100000 acres OF timber
lands covered with commercial timber Of enor-
nous size and the most varied adaptabilltles
Senator ALLEN says that an intelligent and
Trustworthy farmer OF the Walla Walla Valley
assured him that the average wheat yield OF his
large farm for the past twenty years had been
forty bushels per acre.
$50 you perceive, Mr.. President" said Senator
1LIEN, there is scarcely limit to be placed
upon the trarlc the Pacific Northwest will coz
tribute 20 this canal"
We could add much more 10 what we have
nereinbefore laid before our readers on this In
teresting subject. A number OF our enterprising
citizens have, az We have heretofore stated,
"taken stock" IN this canal enterprise. AT
more favorable opportunity We may return to
the subject
lie, the present Congress repeal the little force
bin and put the Nicaragua canal into operation,
and that body will have earned the amending
gratitude OF the American people.