Evening journal., 1904-01-09
BOOM FOR THE
DEEP INLAND
WATERWAY
econ.Inuea from ragel


that surround them. or TO resist some
deteriorating influence on the body po-
litic. or 10 strike the hydra head OF
corruption and venality IN public life
each is stronger for the association
with his fellows. and has his influence
multiplied thereby.
1T is cause Of thankfulness today
that such associated effort whether
religious or secular. is battling every
where against the malign ana deterior-
ating forces Of our time, TO resist the
evil and exalt the good that turks al
ways in our common human nature
When such associations slacken IN
their zeal, we drift backwards. When
We arc strong and energetic. our skies
are bright with promise and hopeful
ness. No civic life is entirely whole
some which is not. toborrow the phrase
OF our excellent President, somewhat
strenuous" Pride in our home, pride
ia our city, and pride in our state, ex-
pand into pride for our country and
beRets the patriotism which. makes
that country great and strong.
object Of Meeting.
Gentlemen. the object Of our meet
ing tonight is 10 quicken the interest,
not only Of this community but Of the
neighhoring communities OF Pennsyl-
vania New Jersey, Maryland and Nir-
ginia, IN the Improvement OF the great
water ways OF the Chesapeake and
Delaware. and OF the artificial canal
which unites them. No one can even
glance at the map without being struck
with the configurntion OF the region
embraced between those two bays, and
OF the adjacent territory OF the States
named to which their waters and those
OF their ad'uents extend. No bays or
estuarics on our whole coast line. on
either ocean or on the gulf, minister
TO the wants OF a population so dense
and so varied. SO marked by It's in
dustrial and economic conditions and
the aggregate OF its wealth, as do the
great bays and rivers upon whose
shores and water sheds we all live. In
this important respect there is a
community OF interest Tor all Of us,
and we hope TO see a united effort by
the representatives Of this great popu-
lation and these. enormous interests to
obtain national recogoition Of their
importance.
Some lhing9 we want
eve want and must hive thirty-nve
foot channel from Phlladolphia 10 the
sea. We want the. cl1ristiana with ats
great shipbuilding Industries, docpenod
and widened, 50 that II may become an
American Clyde. We want the canal that
uultes the waters OF the Delaware and
Chesapeake Bays made wide enough and
dep enough 70 accommodate our ships Of
war and our merchant marine. so that
there may be a secure and safe Inland
passage for steamers OF the largest size
from Norfolk fFonl Washington. from
Baltimore through % Philadelphia and
New York. The Chesapeake and Della
ware Canal was built by enterprising and
adventurous men. al a time when the
country was comparatively weak and
poor. II was an achievement for that day
and genergJlon. greater tiian Would be
lhat to which have alluded for the nres.
fit day ana geheratlon We are more able
b accomplish this now than they were
thon; but 81 requires the intelligent and
unitsd effort OF those who today represent
the energy, Industry and Intelligence OF
the region that have described. What
splendid spectacle st wilr be, when the
growing city OF Norfolk and the great
elites OF Baltimore and Philadelphia shan
be thus united. And here les the city of
Wilmington right on che line of com
munlcation and travel, az the head OF
this beautiful Peninsula and midway be-
tween Washington and New York. ,o
share IN the work Of achievement. as well
as in the fruits OF success.
But gentlemen. I can make my best
return for the honor you have done me. Ia
asking me 20 preside this evening az your
banquet by not de,alnsng you longer from
listening 20 the speeches OF those whom
you came 20 hear.