The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-12
The Nicaragua Canal and the South.

The Nicaragua Canal and the South.
While tho Nicaragua canal cannot be
considered as coming under the head Of
agricultural topics nevertheless it is a SUBJ
ject that should, and doubtless does inter
est the intelligent farmers of this country
without regard to locality. Though it may
appear that the tangible results to accrue
from the completion Of this projected enter
prise would be chiefly in behalf of those
engaged in commerce, still the relation that
agriculture holds to commerce ia Of such
character that, to certain extent, the in
terest Of one is the interest of
the other. Agriculture cannot prosper
without commerce, neither can commerce
make advancement without agriculture.
Farmers should feel as deep an interest IN
all public enterprises and measures as any
one. They should strive to increase their
knowledge OF public matters and be pre-
pared to vote intelligenslv upon them. In
this country, and in the south especially,
any measure fraught with harm to their in
terest aud well being is primd fdcie bad
measure, for it is evident that it could not
have been based upon the principle "the
greatest good TO the greatest numberp
We assume, and with reason, that many
of our farmer readers feel an interest in the
Nicaragua canal, recognizing that enter
prise as one OF the most important and sig
nilcant that has ever claimed the
consideration of cur people in re-
cent years. 1t is an enterprise that
calls for what it is quite likely
to get both in and out of conQress-deep
consideration and elaborate discussion. 1t
is to be hoped that it will get both purely
on it's merits as great business enterprise,
uninfuenced by political partisauship or
personal prejudice.
If it can be shown that private enterprise
cannot or will not push this great work to
completion let the government lend its
prompt aid to effect the purpose, after free
discussion adopting such plan as will insure
its honest construction and Iull security of
the capital invested.
This is one, perhaps the only one, enter
prise that our government should be called
on to push to completion. 1t is beyond the
power of private enterprise it appears. If
this is so let the government enter upon tie
glorious work.
The southern farmer might be led to
question the benefit to be derived from the
canal simply because he could not distin-
guish its actual results from individual ex-
perience, but whether he can locate it
accurately or not he is bound To feel it; for
Whatever enhances the general prosperity
increases that of the Individual.
The southern farmer, as well as his neigh
Dor in other occupations. is in condition
to be benefited by any measure that tends
to cheaper all these products that he him
self does not grow for market, and the
nearer he places himself TO great nigh
ways of commerce the better will be his
position TO secure the products OF other
countries at a minimum cost.
The completion of the Nicaragua canal
would convert the Gulf of Mexico and the
Caribbean sea into great commercial high
ways, that they could not hope to be with
out its aid.
Our gulf states, brought so close TO the
increased commerce OF the Pacific and the
gulf, would derive their full quota Of ben
eft from the canal.
There is every reason why the people of
these states should feel the greatest interest
in its construction, and we certainly should
accord the hsartiest sympathy to an enter
prise that promises, aud without exaggera-
tion, so much benefit to the country at
large. To the farmers and others OF the
Pacific slope this should be burning
question :" IL seems to us.
1t is legitimate Investment of far-reach-
ing influence There is no reason why it
should not be safe one--one that should
receive earnest encouragement and support
from every southern member Of congress
for it will bring only good to the southern
states and i'll to none, whether it should cost
$50, 900, or 800, 900 or $l25, 600.
:. A. Q.