The true Democrat., 1855-06-12
New York, it must be at least l 300.


 Orleans, one of 45O Fulton on the Red River Mobile 40 miles, Philadelphia 800.
 Thus we arrive at the important fact that It will be easier for the northwestern and west. ern States, all that are compelled to use the Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri to this point. to reach these southern Atlantic ports than those ot Boston, New York, Philadelphia or even Baltimore
 Already a line of railways from Charleston and Savannah Is completed within 40 miles of Calro. mus, then, this point at the emJoucAuye ol the upper Mississippi bringing with it, the waters of the Missouri, the Illinois, the Wabash the Ohlo the Cumberland, and the Tennessee "nlch last actually turn north to empty them serves at this geographical centre of rivers and otates, Will be within three days of Charleston ana Savannah, and one day of Mobile. when the Htercommunication by railways shall be completed.
 We perceive then, at glance, what the two greatest southern Atlantic ports have the oppor tunity of gaining by complete railway con- lection with the Mississippi at Cairo This connection will be with point as much beyond the influence of severe climate as their own. Ii they make this, they may readily enter into competition with Baltimore and New York for the western trade, and become the ports of the cities which like St. Louis, are rising as by enchantment
 At present the railway communications be- tween Charleston and Savannah and the valley ot the Mississippi, extends only to Nashville, on the Cumberland river. From that place to Calro, lines of steamers ply with great regulari- ty. By a direct line the distance between Nashville and Cairo i' about l5O miles. So that the distance from Nashville to Savan- nah by railway is about 563 miles, and to Charleston via Augusta 599 miles. About thirty hours therefore, places the traveller from Nashville either at Charleston or Savan- nah, and few hours more travel by rail would also place the traveller from Cairo at the same points.
 This is but about nine hours more time than 1t takes the traveller from Baltimore to reach Wheeling on the Ohio river; and when there, he Is more than SSO miles from Cairo, and controlled by very uncertain navigation.
 It is therefore a fixed fact, that the great western trade and travel at this moment are more within the command of Charleston and Savannah than of Baltimore; that a large DOT ton of both may be secured; that in the winter season it would have nearly all; and the Atlant- ic steamers and sailing packets would become matters of necessity to those cities.
 Nor would this be all the result of a direct railway communication. Not only might Char leston and Savannah compete with Baltimore and New York, but with Mobile and New Or leans; and for the reason that the navigation of the Gulf is not only tedious but often danger ons. A sailing vessel is often as long getting from \ ew Orleans to New York as it would be in crossing the Atlantic, besides being exposed to shipwreck on the Florida Keys, and dcten- tlou from cruisers n the Caribbean. In the mere difference of the rates of insurance these southern Atlantic routes would offer large al- vantage.
 We now come back, in conclusion, to the train of thought that induced Us to look at the map of the United States with reference to its western topography, to see to what points were likely to become the new centre of trade and ct population. The centre of population was in 1767, on the right bank of the Susquehannah in the State of Pennsvvana in 1040 1t hal moved to Cincinnati in 1870 1t will, under the same circumstances and its own laws of progression, be near the lunction of the Ohio and Mi>sissip- pl; and still later, at some point to the westward, yet to be developed by the population of the new States and territories
 We perceive that in all human probability nay W; may almost consider 1t demonstrated that the best point below the union of all the
  taries of the Mississippi must be the centre of their trade. It is the nearest to all in the aggre- gate, and the most convenient for each ndivid- uav. No ice no want of water, will obstruct navigation below this point. More favored n this respect thar all other cities and towns above it on those tributaries, 1t presents advantages SUI eriOr to them all
 It offers Its stores of western products to the markets of New Orleans, Mobile, Charleston, and Savannah. It commands the Gulf Stream trade, and may that of the southern Atlantic And 1t Is thus we perceive the importance of this new centre, around which so many interests are to revolve.
 Nor cln we avoid the conclusion to which we have been compelled to come, that if the south western railways commencing on the Atlantic be completed to Cairo, Georgia and South Ca rolina may boldly contend for the trade of Illi- noS and the other orthwestern States and ter ritores It has already been seen that they have the advantage over the northern ports both as to climate, time and distance. But may we not contemplate other results? Will not this new and profitable intercourse take away all excuses for any further jealousy fthe northern States which have advanced rapidly under their system of internal improvements? Will there hot be greater equality in our do- mestic and foreign trade, strengthening our resolution in the time that tried mems souls to adhere to onr Union and to denounce as treason the act which would impair its integrity? We are fond of comparative views of the works of nature we'll as those of art. 50 we may truly assert that nature, in her geographical arrange ment of our northern continent, has placed the Mississippi in the best of all places for ns It has no local character, for it is too vast It waters many States; 1t is the outlet of many streams; the drainer and fertilizer of many noble valleys. Scarce interrupted by a rock or cataract, it is navigable for thousands of miles; fit gathers its waersir the north, it pours them all out into the south-cooling the cauldron of the Gulf and tempering its climate It is the very bond of peace and brotherhood It holds us together by perpetual chain, and ever new advantage it confers upon us should brighten, not destroy, it.
 As geographers, as statesmen, as men of bu- siness, and above all, as patriots, we must re- joice at developments such as these we have attempted to pOint out We have found Q na,y