The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-15
The Destiny Of New York.

changing; one of Its four quarters is undergoing
revolution, and the population are rapidly and
surely leaving Europe, to find home In the west
ern quarter OF Gods earth-ln America, where
entire freedom-political and religious liberty
reign; and where peace, prosperity, and happiness
are waiting to receive them, when the broken
down millions OF Europe reach these shores.
While events are transporting throughout the
world, of such vast import to mankind, our citi-
zens are not forgetul OF our own rights and Inte-
ests at such crisis. A move is now being made
IN our midst, which has for Its end the consolida.
ton of New York and our sister city OF Brooklyn
under one charter and one government The fol-
lowing preamble and resolution, presented by AS
sistant Alderman Webb, In relation to the union
of the two cities, were passed In the Board of AS
sistant Aldermen
Whereas, difficulties have arisen between this CITY
and Brooklyn, in regard to ferry privileges which
threaten to disturb the good feeling which should exist
between the corporate governments Of each; and
Whereas other causes especially that of territorial
jurisdiction, at moment become Of dis
SUBSECTION and mutual III blood and oontenton and
Whereas, the growth the prosperity, the quiet, and
the true interests Of both cities demand that these
germs Of dscord should be destroyed before they
sumo more formidable aspect; therefore,
Resolved, III the Board Of Aldermen concur) that
1t be referred to joint special committee of five from
each Board to confer with any committee to which the
Common Council Of Brooklyn may commit the duty,
upon the subject Of union Of the two cities under
eating ali exclusive privileges finally dispose Of thos.
matters now and hereafter tending to interrupt that
harmony and unity Of purpose so essential to mutual
prosperity
A committee of five-Messrs. Webb, Hibbard,
Morgans Herring, and Schultz-was appointed by
the President of the Board to carry out the objects
stated. This Is the ininatory of a movement,
which has for its object the union OF two cities IN
xyh oh ch boap
This evening, we believe the subject will be intro
duced into the Board of Aldermen, and will pass,
and similar committee will be appointed by that
body.
That the proposition will eventually meet with
the appreciation of the great mass of the citizens
of both cities, we have no manner of doubt The
interests OF both evidently demands their union
If 1t is consummated ere five years roll along, the
population OF the united city will exceed million
of souls. In addition to the enormous amount of
foreign emigration which arrives, and remains
here let us look for moment at the results which
flow from the constant completion of new railroads
and canals that terminate in the city. Who is there
among us that does not remember how suddenly
and rapidly the two cities increased after the CON-
petion of the great Erie canal! The railroads
completed, and yet to be completed, will give still
greater impetus to population now than the canal
did then Let us look at the old stald city of Lon
don for an example. For long time she re-
NAMED stationary with population of 400, 900;
but after 1910, Gas the census will show when the
great railroads terminating London and her sub.
urbs were finished, her population increased, in
three years, 100000; and during the past two years,
there have been built In that city many buildings
as are now contained in the cities of New York aud
Brooklyn. We see the visible effect of the CON-
petion of our railroads, IN towns along the whole
line from New York to Buffalo. New York
is benefited while every village on the whole
route Is decreasing in populations; and where fifty
stores supported in the Interior, and the pro-
p1etors were coming money, only one or two
now amply Sufficient for the business, and bare
ly give support to the owners. The census Of
1910 shows large decrease even, and then the
railroads had just began to move. What will the
next census show, when the interior villages are
roped in all directions by these roads! If any per-
son wishes TO be convinced of the truth of our OBJ
servations, let him examine into the popula.
ton of Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, and he
will find that over two-thirds of her merchants
are now engaged In business in New York
of those who were formerly merchants in those
country cities. Property IN those places has
deprecated from one-half to one.third of Its
former value, as Is shown by the books Of the
assessors. In fact, 1t Is almost matter of impos-
sibiy to find purchasers for property in either of
the above places, and they are only cited as fair
examples of other places which are affected by
railroads, although the lines themselves do not run
through either Newburgh or Poughkeepsie. What
must be the effect, when the Albany and Harlem
Railroad is completed, upon intermediate towns
The answer is given by found fact, which Is
generally granted by all who have witnessed the
operation OF new road. The terminus alone is
benefited. All other places its line are losers.
and become partially depopuated, and property
is deprecated. So 1t will be in the present
case. New York is gradually absorbing every
thing that these roads bring In close contact
with it. Who can form any just estimate of
the vast magnitude of the trade and population
that the city of New York Is destined to re-
ceive from the Erie Railroad, traverslng, as 1t
does, Northern Pennsylvania and Ohio, and bring
ng these States, as 1t were, to her own gates and
the commerce of which has heretofore gone to
Philadelphia or to Baltimore? The large mer-
chants of all tie cities, towns and villages the
line, or within the influence of this great road,
must come to the empire city to trade. Their evil
dent interest will force these people to do their
business here. The same, or a similar result must
be produced by the Albany, Harlem, and the East
ern roads that connect with it. The result i'll be
to tap all the Eastern cities; and when the fact ia
generally known, Qor fact it is,) that New York
is the only city IN the United States where mer.
chandze, produce, or manufactured goods can be
sold at iheir market value for cash, at any mo.
ment, it must induce all who have articles of any
description for sale, TO come to the only city where
the supply and the demand are ever unlimited
Again, let us look at the events now occurring,
IN relation to this great continent, on the Pacific
side When the isthmus of Panama is crossed,
by either railroad or canal, situated as 1t Is, in
the lower and unhealthy latltudes, New York
must become the greatest city Ia the world When