A history of the American nation . e extent of our republicexposes us to the greatest of all calamities, next to the lossof liberty, and even to that in consequence—disunion . Fears of constitutional authority to build roads could do nomore than delay the movement for better means of communica-tion between the West and the eastern appro- Eastcm merchants and western farmers alikewanted roads and canals. The Federal Govern-ment might not act or it might appropriate money onlywith hesitation; but the States could build roads withintheir limits. Pennsylvania spent money freely on t
A history of the American nation . e extent of our republicexposes us to the greatest of all calamities, next to the lossof liberty, and even to that in consequence—disunion . Fears of constitutional authority to build roads could do nomore than delay the movement for better means of communica-tion between the West and the eastern appro- Eastcm merchants and western farmers alikewanted roads and canals. The Federal Govern-ment might not act or it might appropriate money onlywith hesitation; but the States could build roads withintheir limits. Pennsylvania spent money freely on turnpikes andeven South Carolina and Virginia took similar steps. ButNew York, in a position of great advantage, made the most im-portant improvement; on the east her confines touched the At-lantic where the Hudson rolled down in a magnificent currentto the sea; on the west was Lake Erie offering wide and freecommunication with the interior; the Appalachian chain, whichformed a barrier further south, opened up in central New York. The Erie Canal as if inviting a waterway from the oceanto the lakes. The state took up the enterprise, underthe leadership of De Witt Clinton. TheThe Er c canal project was at first ridi-*°^culed as Clintons Ditch,but his untiring energy and faith over-came ridicule and obstinate opposition; and final results justified NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT; INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS 263 his unflagging zeal. The Erie Canal was built, a waterwaysome three hundred and sixty miles in length, from theHudson to Lake Erie. It was finished in 1825. The mostenthusiastic person could scarcely have foreseen how greatwould be the influence of the canal in building up thecommerce of New York City and enriching the state. At thisepoch, we are told, the history of modern New York properlybegins. By this easy route emigrants found their way to theregions of the Old Northwest and the goods from eastern mer-chants were carried to the consumers of the interior. In thisway the products of th
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