The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-03-24

| The agents of the Aiabama and Tennessee
Rivers Road are now here, and will address the
citizens tonight in the Commercial Exchange.
| This road runs from Selma, on the Alabama, to
Gunters Landing, - De Tennessee, distance Of
two hundred miles. The object Of the road is to
bring back to the Gulf ports the trade which Savan.
nah and Ch.rles,on are drawing off from North
| Alabama and East Tennessee. This is fertile
and healthy region, heretofore, in great measure
worthless, from want Of easy access to market
ID sole road being by the Tennessee and Misss-
sppi to New Orleans, a distance of 140O to 1900
miles, and available for only few months in the
year. The Memphis and Charleston Road affords
communication with the Atlantic. As mat
ter Of course New Orleans must lose this trade
unless by some means it can be brought back
The Memphis road will not effect it. Gov. Jones
at Huntsville, told the people that Memphis wanted
road to the Atlantic, and not to New Orleans
The argument all through that region, was the
great benefits Of trade with Charleston, the lower
rates Of freight and insurance to Europe. and the
higher prices of produce at that point!
We believe the Alabama road will effect the
object which New Orleans so greatly desires. 1t
is not generally known that heavy trade in gro
ceries is carried ON between New Orleans and that
country-such is the superiority of New Orleans
in this particular, that groceries are brought here
and shipped to Charleston, and then conveyed by
railroad into this region. Montgomery, and all the
towns on the Alabama and Tennessee, purchase
their groceries here. The trade between the inte-
rior of Alabama, and New Orleans, is rapidly
increasing If that country be reached by rail.
road and river, we can command its trade; or at
least compete with Mobile. Our neighbor will
catch some of the trade, but the greater portion
will seek the more extensive market.
The road will put US IN direct intercourse with
100000 inhabitants Of Alabama, Tennessee and
Georgia. Cotton will be delivered at New Or
leans at cost of SO IS, which on the Charleston
road will cost nearly twice as much, and so with
every other article. The report drawn up by Mr..
rroost the eminent engineer, describes the coun-
Try infinitely in every respect. 1t abounds in coal,
iron and marble, while the soil yields large crops
Of corn, cotton, and supports vast quantities OF
stock.
Between this and the Memphis road there can
be no doubt which is the more advantageous to
New Orleans. But there are yet other questions.
How much capital can New Orleans afford to in
vest in railroad enterprises? II we have only
limited amount, shall it be dribbled out in meagre
contributions to the various roads, or shall it be ap-
propriated to one more Of these numerous works
Ii we may express an opinion, we say, by all
means let US concentrate our efforts. The opera
tons Of industry, like those of an army, must not
embrace too great an area. Concentration is the
great agent Of achievement. At home we have
the jackson Railroad first in importance. The
construction of this road at once increases our pop
ulation, enhances the value of property, and adds
to the comforts Of life. New Orleans is asked to
assist in building some hundred miles of this road
Then the beautiful country Of the Attakapas asks
us to assist it in opening certain, cheap and
rapid mode Of reaching the city. Shreveport,
more modestly, only asks New Orleans for contri-
buttons to a plank road, which shall secure to us
the trade Of eastern Texas These are of the ut
most importance to New Orleans. If we can as.
sist other works, then by all means let the Ala
bama road be the first of our foreign investments
but we ought not to take from our own roads,
which connect directly with New Orleans, to give
to roads, which, though beneficial to New Orleans,
are SO in less degree.