The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1897-07-21
AN INyINCIBLE ALLIANCE.

A year ago General 7. G, Calchings'
ina very interesting aud Instructive
speech to the citizens of GreenViIle'
stated that in the great scheme Oh
river Improvement as viewed from a
congressional standpoint, the system
of leyee construction and bank reVe'
meut were only regarded as incidental
TO the primary idea OF making the
river a great national highway for
water traffic. The theory generally
held, and toward the working out oil
which all efforts we're to be directed,
was that by combining the water Of
the river to narrow channel 1t would
eventually be so deepeued that loVee'
would In time be rendered unuecessa'
~ aud a permanent deep waller high
way be established.
Mr.. Catchiugs stated, in the same
speech, that confidence in the utility
aud success of the reVetment system
had been 80 weakened that it would
probably be abandoned, and the hope
of making the river commercial
highway depended upon the system
of dredging. This sVowal amounted
to candid announcement that, IN
making its appropriations for river
Improvement, Congress was not actu'
Ated by consideration for the Sgficul-
tural interests along the river bank,
but interested simply i'll making the
river a national avenue of traffic. 1t
is impossible, IN recalling this view OF
the matter, entertained year ago,
and comparing it with the change OF
sentiment in favor of levee building
for protective purposes, not to be sur
prised at the almost complete reversal
of opinion, both in Congress and IN
the nation at large, In nothing is the
growth and extent of the leVee cult
more clearly shown than in the pro-
posed great meeting 10 be held in
October at Davenport, Iowa, for the
nationaiization of the system of river
Improvement. The immense extent
of country now interested in the pro-
ject and the vast commercial Interests
dependent upon its success make its
accomplishment practically assured.
1t may take time, but if the belief in
its expediency continues to grow SIS it
has doue within the past year 1t will
come much sooner than even its most
earnest advocates dared to hope, The
espousal OF the cause by the whole
people Of the northwestern and middle
states of the valley presents it in an
altogether different light from that
when it was tentatively urged by the
levee districts of the lower river, hop
ing, yet scarcely venturing to put
their wish into words, and depending
chiefly upon the influence and efforts
OF one man in Congress, aided, Of
course, by his colleagues from other
leVee districts, to convert an indltfer.
ent or even hostile government and
people to the doctrine of national
control. The idea had its birth in the
circu inscribed area of the levee dis.
tricts of Mississippi, Louisiana and
Arkansas. 1t was perhaps conceived
IN the brain Of Mr.. CatchiDgs, and
certainly it was his voice that first an
nounced it to the world. The meet
ing at Davenport will bear wonderful
fruit. Not only do the people of the
middle and northwestern states as
sumo the duty of procuring national
control of the river, but they call upon
those of the south for cooperation
and support. That it will be freely,
gladly rendered there can be no doubt.
All the strength, ability and enthusi-
asm which can be produced IN the
southern districts should be gathered
for their representation at the meet
Ing, With united forces aud a single
purpose the whole Mississippi Valley
Is invincible, and can demand what
has heretofore been little more than
limited at.