Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-06-17


Young America should not be deferred or pre-
vented from profting by the future benefits that
must inevitably ensue from the carrying out of
the grand system Of Internal improvements, so
wisely enacted in the organic law, by the
trainers Of the present Constitution.
Unfortunately for Louisiana, her rulers and
lawmakers have put too much reliance in the
abundant natural facilities of the country; and
art, therefore, has entirely neglected to COM
plete what nature has SO well began. But,
thanks to our northern friends for having set
an example which has aroused us to action.
Our country, in all its extent, is about to be
traversed by those iron arteries of commerce
which will serve to give new impetus to industry,
and cause it to bloom as the rose.
Now that the completion Of the Opelousas
Railroad is viewed as certainty, despair APP
pears to have taken possession of many of the
property holders of Thibodaux; and penury,
want, and starvation haunt them in their
dreams. The trade and business Of the town,
say they, is forever gone. New Orleans has
swallowed Thibodaux and laid an embargo On
the surrounding country. Under the present
order Of things, we frankly admit that the mer-
camille community must suffer, for while. A
new order of things must be brought about
Our merchants must, in the future, not only
compete with each other, but also with those of
New Orleans; which they are able to do, and
successfully, too, by purchasing at head-quar-
tiers. Rents are from five to six fold cheaper in
Thibodaux than in New Orleans; and other
expenses in the same proportion. How easy is
it, then, for our merchants to preserve the trade
of the country. In fact, we hazard the opinion
that instead of diminution, there will be an
increase Of trade in two years from the compile
ton of the Railroad.
Again, Thibodaux, from its central position
in one Of the largest sugar growing districts of
the State capable Of producing from loo, 900
to 2OO,O 600 hogsheads Of sugar, and proper
tionate quantity Of molasses, at all times &C
cessible by water or railroad-must eventually
become the site of no small number Of manu-
featuring establishments. Extensive sugar re-
fineries, in due course Of time, will be erected,
giving occupation to numerous operatives, and
thereby add largely to our population. May
not the culture Of rice, also, on the low lands in
this and the neighboring parishes, afford suffi-
cient business for the erection Of q rice mill
heref Thibodaux already possesses one Of the
best and most extensive Foundries in the State,
where every article made from iron is executed
with as much real mechanical skill and exact
mes, and at as cheap rate as the same can be
done for in new Orleans. The proprietors,
Messrs. P. 81. Gary & Co., are NOW manufac
turing steam engines and sugar mills equally as
good, If not preferable to those obtained in the
north and west and at prices equally as low,
including transportation, which Of course adds
to their cost when purchased abroad.
From careful and philosophical investiga-
hon, we are clearly Of the opinion that our
town cannot be made to retrogade in conse-
quenoe Of the opening Of the New Orleans Ope-
lousas and Great Western Railroad; but that
The very reverse win be the result Time win
prove whether w err in our conclusions.