The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-04-12

of internal improvements in consequence Of
which, New Orleans has not realized that pro-
gress, increase of trade and capital, which
has so rapidly developed the commerce and
added to the population of many Of the lead
ing cities Of the Union. 1t is true the Ope-
lousas Railroad and the Jackson Railroad,
which are respectively finished 60 or 10 miles,
have done something for the home trade of
the city, but they do not connect with the
distant marts or channels Of commerce SO rs
to create new or important travelling or
transportation thoroughfare.
A third cause is the heavy taxes which OPP
press the property holders Of the city
This is nearly two per cent for the purposes
of revenue, and of course, when added to
other burdens resting upon real estate in a
city like this, must exert great influence
upon investments and improvements. 1t is
certain that rents in the city are less by one
third than they were two years ago, and pro-
perty of every description has suffered q cor
responding diminution. | was very much
surprised to find that beautiful lots eligibly
situated near the central part of the city,
could be bought for fifteen hundred or two
thousand dollars. | cannot find that any
great ideas are cherished by the citizens rel
alive to any plans for the future prosperity
or grandeur of the city. There are some
men here who appear to entertain enlarged
and liberal views, but the greater number,
even of those who are largely interested, APP
pear perfectly apathetic and sunk in kind of
changeless and torpid condition.
Still New Orleans is a great city, and not
withstanding all these drawbacks, it seems to
possess an inherent tendency in virtue of its
position and relations to the commerce of
the Southern hemisphere, and the semi-trop-
zeal productions of oGr own country
amongst which are two of the heaviest sta
plies of the world,-to regain its former pow
er, and to advance in the paths of wealth and
population. The limitary causes which have
influenced the vital progression and opulence
of New Orleans, are certainly not of per
and natural advantages, are guarantees of
what it ought to be, and perhaps, will be-
Although industry, capital, and commerce,
build up and sustain great city in an unfa-
vorable situation, in an ungenial cline, and
upon sterile soil, still those circums tances,
not being in themselves sufficient or perma-
nent, must sooner or later find their limit
The Crusades, for time, made Bruges IAN
inland town of Belgium) the greatest empo-
rum of Europe, whilst cities situated upon
navigable rivers and having oceanic harbors,
were placed upon the background. Blu. these
latter, really possessing the inherent elements
ofprogress, and receiving in virtue of those
permanent conditions, ceaseless increment,
finally rose superior to all artificial impede
ments.
Within few years, railroads have absorbed
great part of the capital Of the world, and
have given great impetus to the growth Of
many cities. But it remains to be proved
that these highways over mountains, through
SHOWS and ice, requiring constant repairs and
reconstruction, can, through all coming time,
successfully compete with our great natural
highway, the Mississippi, which with its trib-
utaries, is more extensive than ali the rail-
ways of the united world and, withal, as
durable as the globe, as free as the air; nei-
wearing out, nor rotting out, nor rusting
out and last, though not least, out of debt.
1t borrows no money, pays no accommodating
interest; it is not governed by corporations
is not bought cheap to be sold dear by specu-
lators learned in the science of per centage.
II MY be true that the population Of New
Orlean, has not increased MS rapidly as that
of New York. But this fact is not, in itself,
q sure harbinger of approaching ruin, that
lon, Ninevah, Palmyra and Thebes. The
permanent condition of geographical posi-
ton AMI relation to the greatest staples of
the world, will continue to exist. Take for
example year, even as long ago as 1910, in
watch the whole domestic produce exported
from the United States was in value Sll3,-
895, 634, Of which Louisiana alone, then a
new State, scarcely developed, exported
$50 80 ,059, one third Of the whole, equal
to nearly one hundred dollars for every per-
son, white and black, in the State; while
the residue of the United STATES afford only
forty-four dollars as the average export for
each Individual. Thus Louisiana exports
about four times more than Maine, New
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts,, Rhode
Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and Della
ware united, and about one third more than
the grea. State of New York
But have wandered too far. | feel in
fnrnatnl In contamniaAinr tho errant f,,t.,ro -