Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-05
Prom the American Rail Road Journal
Influence of Artificial LEeans Of Comnun
catic,1 z7-7cu Commerce,

rom EEle American 5EAI1 ff0du Journal
Influence os Artificial Eeans Of Commun
caticn upon Commerce,
So long as natural water courses
were used, a. the cheapest and most ex-
peditious routes for the transportation
OF property, large towns were OF ne
cessity located upon navigabIe rivers,
or so situated as to be accessible by
shipping from the ocean. Towns grow
up upon the most convenient location
for the depot of the produce of the in
habitants of particular section OF
country, and from which they can
most readily procure their supplies OF
foreign merchandise; and as the prini-
tive mode Of transportation was by
water, as far as this can be made avilable,
all large cities are almost invariably 80
situated as to enjoy this mode of trans
portation.-
But new element is at work in the
science of locomotion. which is COM
pletely overriding the laws which gave
birth TO and located orr older Cities
Rivers were formerly used as routes of
internal commerce, by reason Of supe-
rior economy TO any other mode. If
we can supersede rivers by routes still
cheaper, and more expeditions, new
cities Guzt spring up on the new lines
ofintereo nmunication, and those which
rely solelyupon their old avenues, must
inevitably retrograde, if not entirely
sink into insirnificance.
As short as has been the time since
the introduction OF railroads, our own
experience is full Of Illustrations Of the
truth of tlre above remarks. Those
of our cities which led of liz the con-
struction ofthese works received anew
impulse, and shot rapidly ahead of all
their neighbors and rivals. The effect
was soon seen, and the cause admitted
| by all. Nearly every town in this
country of any considerable import
ance, CT that aspires TO become SO has
been forced to construct, or to COM
meRce the construction OF railroads, as
!, the only means of protecting its trade
from the encroachments of their more
enterprising rivals, who led of in this
new movement.
The Northern States, from thei,
lgranted wealth and dense population
first commenced the construction o
railroads, and for the same reason still
maintain their superiority. The road;
nom the leading northern cities have
now reached distant sections of the
country, and we begin to see illustra
tons on larger scale of what was be.
fore confined within a much smaller
sphere. While railroads were in thei.
infancy, their influence was confined
within the narrow limits of few miles
and was seen in the growth or decad
ence of rival villages and towns
With the wider extension of the sys.
TEN, though but yet very imperfectly
developed, We see them begin to exert
their influence upon cities thousands
of miles apart, ia adding to the ready
! overfioaing business. OF some, and IL
threatening to sap the very foundation
of the. prosperity OF others.
The general views are strikinuiy
confirmed BY comparing the presen1
condition OF New York and New Or
leans. The latter is situated at the
motah of river, having, with its
T. branches, more miles of navigable wa
ter than any other in the world, ane
draining the largest and most fertile
VALLEY on the globe. For this greai
valley. the Mississippi is the only natn.
raj outlet, and the city OF New Orleans
has been the only depot OF immense
products. So favorable is the position
of New Orleans for commercial great
ness, that should any person be callee
upon to point out on a map of tht
world. the site where should grow NJ
the greatest city, he would certainl,
select that occupied by New Oriean:
SO superior are the advantages in Ifel
faver over all others.
How is it, on the other hand, witt
New York; She, to be sure, posses
ses one ofthe most magnificent and con
venient harbors to be found in ths
world, and the majestic Hudson, which
though hardly excelled by any Other
river in the excellence of its naviga
ton, and the splendor of its scenery
brings her ia contact with very small
extent of country. With. all the ad
vantages which we have named, tht
/ lradeof New York was confined to i
! 81, all = farrseorvr wa fnrod hxyz tho H,rJ