The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-09
REYIYING ANCIENT GLORY

OhuCi lhc LILO uluCcut pIOmlSS VI
grand agricultural progress and civ
ilized advancement found in the ides
of government action in the matter oil
irrigation, it would seem that there
should be no hesitation or delay il
J taking whatever action is necessary
10 secure speedy investigation of wa
ter storage possibilities in Washing.
ton county.
, Peering through the veil of past
: centuries we find that this country
has less advancement in highways
and aqueducts than had ancient
races whose glories have long since
. departed. No modern work has
equalled the mightiest canal IN the
world. 1t is in China, is 600 miles
long and history scarcely knows when
1t was built-although it is almost
exclusively for transportation and
not irrigation But there is not
lacking the stupenduous accomplish
ments in agricultural irrigation, some
of which make it appear that mans
ingenuity and power in that line is
dwindling. 1t was only when tie
waters of the Nile were made to lave
the parched land on a scale almost
incomprehensible that there dawned
the full glory of Egypt and all the
world came unto Joseph to buy corn.
While yet the western hemisphere
was unknown to recorded history,
before Columbus had swept across
the sea to find a new world, a race in
Peru had accomplish more than this
nation has ever thought of approach
ing. The Arabian, as he crossed
burning sands and hurried to the
shade of the oasis, called water CAL
labs greatest gift to man." and out
OF the worship of this great blessing
grew the advance of Egypt and Asia,
and Damascus owed it's commercial
supremacy to the intelligent use of
water. And likewise the Peruvlans
we're masters in handling the element
to make paradise on earth. Wa.
ter was the secret of the delicious
Gardens of Yucay, where the Incas
retired for repose from the tolls o,
state. and pressure Of the city and
to bask in the caresses of their concu.
bines-it has all been rendered a
fairy dream through the destructive
Spaniard. The Peruvian govern
ment fostered irrigation in a noble
manner and inspiring aqueducts
spanned chasm and gorge and
crossed mountain chain, some of
them for an unbroken distance of
800 miles, fed and replenished by
lakes and storages along the way.
1t is strange that this government,
with it's boosted civilization, has
never had the forethought to initiate
the grand accomplishments of dead
races; but, with the mighty plan al
last set on foot, after long urging,
there lies before us limitless fields of
conquest if western people will put
soul into the plan and also guard
against the premature decay, in the
grossness of politics, of the most en-
tranclng work that has vet been
evolved under government care-for
what is a higher aim or a more
browning glory than the bringing of
rivers from their beds for peace.
full conquest of the desert that shall
make the wide land smile and give
forth the scent of roses! A law that
makes happy homes for the growing
generation is blessed law!
We can become part of the great
picture if the move is carried to ful-
hllment. Thousands of acres in the
hooks of our hills and on our bench
lands are scattered about waiting for
the day when they shall be made
an adjunct to Weiser's commercial
growth. Near the smelter, along the
Weiser, Monroe and Mann creeks
vest OF town and even under canal,
now constructed, are available lands
awaiting but the kiss of the magic
element to support great industry
and population. The canal which
supplies the valley will soon be en-
larued undar MILL.