2

Illinois and Michigan Ship Canal.

On the first page we publish the report of the Hon. I. N. Arnold, from the committee on Roads and Canals in the House, on the subject of the enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The report is an able one and presents the importance of the proposed work in such strong and commanding light that we do not think Congress can fail to act approvingly upon the bill. A canal for ships between the Mississippi river and the great Northern lakes has come to be a National necessity, and the Government, in view of a future rupture with England, should lose no time in hastening its construction. We hope Mr. Arnold, who has thus far been indefatigable in pushing this project, will continue to impress its importance before Congress.