New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-01-08
THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY s. 1852
The Objects of the Convention

lie SDJeCtS OF Tie OOnVenuon
Some discussion has sprung up in reference to
the objects Of the Convention and the action
proper for il to take The discussion has
created some untimely feeling, which, we trust,
will quietly evaporate before the light Of COM
mon sense.
We.see no ground whatever for any other re-
suit; and think that any misapprehension or
feeling is entirely unnecessary and altogether
out Of place. If the delegates could only I'M
derstand one another, there would be- we are
confident, the most perfect harmony of opinion.
The delegates have common objects, in the adj
vance of the cause of Internal Improvements in
the Southwest. They have common interests,
in the increased and increasing prosperity of
this great section of country, whose rivers are
Gods highways, showing, more plainly than
any work Of man, the unity Of their commerce
and It's natural tendency to certain markets,
No range of mountains divides any portion of
this magnifcentssection from the rest; and even
rivers only divide it geographically, to bring it,
by the course and facilities Of trade, into a
more solid unity of commercial interests. The
whole Southwest is interested in every really
useful and important work projected within its
limits; but even II mere formal expression Of
that interest, and much more the extension Of
aid, require that the Importance and practical
bility Of II proposed improvement should be first
ascertaincd,
Gentlemen are now pressing upon the Con-
ventlon numerous projects: which, however
much they may eventually add to the wealth,
resources and commerce of the Southwest, arc,
in comparison with other projects, somewhat too
local to be made leading features in the action
of the Convention If this body approve of AID
thatis brought before it, it will mcasurably des-
troy the force of its action in behalf of projects
Of more general utility and more immediate
practicability. Some gentlemen, who have their
particular local plans to urge, tell us that they
ask from the Convention only an endorsements:
and we think all views may be easily compro-
missed, Let such important works as the New
Orleans and Texas (Opelousas), the Tehuantc-
pee, and the N, 9. and jackson projects be made
leading matters in the action of the Convention.
and let others, of less Importance, be made to
occupy the secondary position to which they are
properly entitled.
Wemust confess, however, warmly as we en-
courage the spirit of railroad enterprise, that
u
push too many projects, some chiefly local, at
once One of this character must depend en-
tirely upon two sources for construction, grants
of public lands and subscriptions from persons
near its line; and there is great danger that
railroads commencing in the woods and ending
in the woods, running from an inconsiderable
village TO some unknown river landing, will, if
commenced, uselessly absorb capital which might
be usetully employed, and by their final failure
discredit really practicable works of immediate
Importance and make us retrograde to inditfer-
cnce or suspicion of railroad enterprise.
01.the other hand, ifa really great and prac
ticable railroad plan be first taken and vipor
ously pushed forward, we are warranted by OK
pe,ience in anticipating the happiest results. A
completed railroad is the creator of others. 1t
gives capital confidence, and motive to invest
II makes the section through which it passes
creditably known abroad brings accession to
population and consequent increase of ability to
build new roads. How many of the projects
now before the Convention can command one
doiiae OF capital from abroad We could not
answer the question positively, but we fear the
New0rieans and Texas, the Tehuantepec and
Newtfieans and jackson projects alone cou,l
command IT; and that to start the numerous
other projects now, would uselessly absorb local
subscriptions, bankrupt all railroad enterprise
in utter failure and pull down practicable mo-
leets, Let us present our really great schemes.
first, TO foreign capitalists, secure tho;,. nil md
then, their attention being directed ia +,o c,,t,
west as field for Investment, they will he x,ro
to assist local subscriptions and land dnot;n,,.
in behalf Of other schemes
We consider, in all moderation, and srh,,;.
the proposition for candid examination, that tho
construction of the New0rleans and Texas tho
NewOrleans and jackson, and the Tehuantepcc
roads is essential to the success of other mo-
jects, They are the most Immediately practi
cable, can command fairer and larger credit.
embrace more general interests. In their
construction we can most thoroughly demon-
strate our zeal and energy, and the reality of
railroad enterprise in the Southwest
IL gentlemen of NewOrleans press them 50
urgently upon the Convention, we assure gen
tlemen from abroad, that it is not done in n
spirit of mere selfshness 1t is done in n con-
viction of their more immediate practicablity
and more general Importance. They will rescue
for the Southwest the trade of Western Texas.
which is now in danger of being surrendered to
NETWORK; give the Southwest command of the
Trade with the Pacific and give (what is Ill