New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-12-07
THE GREAT CONTROLLING CAUSE.
Weextraot the following from late number
II the St Louis Intelligencer:

ld6 WHEAT CVNihuLhiMG CAo6E.
Weextraot the following from late number
ofthe st. Louis Inteiligencer:
pEsNsrLvAsrA RAlLRoAp.C Cheap Freight The magnia-
cent road which stretches from Pittsburghi Phadel
phia Is aleading freight ioroa between the East and
Wee az ell as route for passengers unsurpassed lor
speed and comfort.
the great the future for St. Louis in reach
ing Phadeiphs and New York for commercial purposes
and the company Is determined to offer Inducements to
our merchants See the card Of the Pennsyivania rail-
road on the first page of the 1ntegencer The rate OF
fty cents per hundred pounds produce reduction
of one dollar psr ton on lastwnter's rates
The foregoing two little paragraphs contain
matter for serious and deep reflection on the
part Of every man possessing, or intending to
possess, q permanent interest in New Orleans
The Northern railroads, the sscheap freights,'
ard the expeditions means of getting to the
markets of the Atlantic cities, which the former
affords, are the prime, moving causes, of the d.
version Of Western trade from this city, SO much
complained Of, and the continuance Of which even
in an augmented ratio is SO much apprehended
These apprehensions are not ill-founded On
the contrary, they are based upon the practical
exemplifcations Of the past and the present,
which admit neither of disputation or doubt
They are seen and felt by every leading Western
merchant in the city.
That enormous quantities Of Western produce,
which formerly came to New Orleans, should
seek a market in the Atlantic cities in compli-
ance with the invitation Of low freights, speed
and certainty, when We are unable to offer any
inducements Of the kind six months in the year,
is not q matter for the slightest wonderment
The products Of any section Or sections Of coun-
Gx,I .l..l
ket, just as surely as water seeks its own level
This is o proposition as incontrovsrtible as the
plainest Law of nature, and needs no elucida-
ton.
The facilities for railroad communication be-
tween the East and West are constantly increas-
ing; and SO great is the desire of the enter
prising managers Of the roads to attract bust
ness, that they take freights as cheap as possible
The reduction on the Pennsylvania Railroad,
spoken Of by the St Louis Intelligencer, is a
case in point That trade at once flows through
such inviting channels with steadily augment
ing stream. is not surprising. And more will
fellow, and continue to follow, until some coun-
terbalancing influence is brought to bear by
cities which are suffering from the diversion
complained Of. As yet, New Orleans, the prin-
cipal, if Aot the only sufferer, has done com
parativey nothing at least nothing available
at the present time. True, about one hundred
miles Of the Northern Railroad are completed
and in excellent running order, but until q con
nection is made with the Valley Of the Ohio. or
with some road leading thereto, nothing of i'm
portanee, 50 far as the Western trade is con-
cerned, will have been accomplished
These artificial channels of communication
know neither high water nor
low water, nor snags, sand bars or rocks have
been the chief agents in the transfer Of o vast
amount Of trade to the Eastern cities, which
used to pour itself upon our leYee in an mex
haustible stream, enriching our merchants,
adding to the general wealth, enhancing the
value Of real estate, and contributing, in every
manner, to the prosperity of the
city at large. There is but one mode by which
This ruinous diversion can be made to cease,
and that is through the agency Of railroads. |
We must meet railroad enterprise with railroad |
enterprise, or else prepare ourselves to with |
stand farther diminution Of business. There |
s no other alternative.
The fact is unmistakable that it will not do to |
lepend upon the tributaries Of the Mississippi |
They will be full to the bank one week, and |
hen be 50 low the three following weeks, that |
lone but boats of the lightest draught can |
navigate them This throws doubt, uncertainty |
md confusion over commercial transactions, |
md superinduces serious losses and derapge- |
nents And, another fact is equally unmis-
akable: There is no question that the mer- |
hants Of New Orleans have lost, within the |
'ast five years, by low waters, sufficient sum |
o have built a frst-class railroad from this |
,ort to the Ohio river! We mean actual loss,
Without taking into account the great business
which has, We fear, been permanently diverted |
INTO other channels. This, of course, has had a |
disastrous influence upon real estate, causing a |
depreciation sufficient in amount to have con-
tructed o road by itself
Ia any other community, such experiences
md such facts, combined with the prospects Of
he future, would lead to the immediate applica-
ion Of the only sure remedy.
IL