New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-11-24
VOLUME XII.
Mt@ Orleans 4ailv Ctestert.
THURSDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER "a, 1853.
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.

"
THURSDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER "a, 1859.
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
We recur again to this great enterprise anent
which We have said so much, and which with vary
ing degrees of intensity has agtated the public
mind for several years past Though its import
ance and value are patent to the most superficial
inquirer into the scheme, they may yet be judged
and appreciated alone by the fact that from its in
ception to the present auspicious moment OF Its
history it has commanded, and has not for day
lacked, the earne-. ivorgEy of majority OF the
best and most .ar-seeing minds of the country
some of them clinging to it, hoping for it despite
of adversely, and dcvoting their best energies to
its cause, even when it was beset with accumulat-
ing difficulties well calculated to appal the most
indefatigabe and dishearten the most hopeful.
Those who have had the ability and the patience
to investigate the subject II has invariably made
enthusiasts in its cause, to b degree commensurate
with their reach of thought, which would alone limit
the comprehension and appreciation OF the grand
proportions of the enterprise. Its true measure
ment can only be accomplished by great minds
which have that semi-prophetic gift of deducing
large prospective results from speclhed causes
with the certainty of a mathematical calculation,
and it can only be compared to great things which
in the past have so illustrated their destiny In
forming an idea Of what it will be when completed,
and of what it will accomplish for the Southwest,
and for all the world, it must be compared to the
greatest enterprises for public veal which the his
tory of the world instances, and the mind bring to
the aid of the understanding the known and I'M
mutable laws Of trade and commerce which have
necessary connection with the subject.
If then this Southern Pacific Railroad Is the
great scheme which the advocacy OF great
! minds as well as the demonstrations OF reason
assure it to be; and if it be true, as the past has
| shown that what the united talent, energy and
enterprise of the leading minds of our people pro
iect never fails of success, need there be donb
entertained by any of the apparent merits OF thi;
| enterprise which promises to enure alike to then
advantage and to that of the country at large, o
weight sufficient to prevent their coming to it
help now, when the public gaze is fixed upon it
and thousands are waiting only to see the leading
men and largest capitalists of this locality act t
induce hearty cooperation on their part.
The responsibilities so dcvolying on these lead
ing men and capitalists deserve their serious con
| sideraton. Influence and means are not gwen IL
! without responsibilities commensurate with them
| and the possessors are bound by most solem
and weghty considerations to duly and properl
consider any respectable project, respectfully an
respectfully presented, claiming to be for the we
fare Of their felow-citizens. If they neglect O
refuse to do 50 they are faithless repositories c
what are, to d great extent, public trusts. N
matter though they claim what of means and {
influence they possess as their own, and no matte
though they cannot and should not be coerce
as to their use, yet there is a higher law binc
ing them in conscience, as good citizens, who's
mandates they should not, though they may, di
regard. That higher law pertains to what the
owe to their less favored though equally good fe
low men. If Scripture may be quoted in this col
nection, it may with propriety be said just her
that no man liveth to himself" And it may /
affirmed of the man who desires to do So that
does not deserve to live at all. Men are ofte
told and fecitate themselves with the idea, th
.' they are the architects of their own fortunes
This cannot be truly affirmed of any man--unle
it may be of the rogue who is presumed to haN
no help but in the honest structure many han'
necessarily help, and it may be that help is give
even by the hand into the palm of which we refu
to drop the penny of charity
The Southern Pacific Railroad is before the pu
lie now under circumstances greatly different FRO
those which have surrounded it at every prevlo
period of its history. 1t now has an ascertan'
and fixed property, and consequent property vati
1t now has a hno,rn and definite quantity of stoc
1t now has a secured charter-a jury having foul
against the State on the alleged grounds of forte
ure. And the present organization is entirely o
of debt. None of these favoring features could
any previous time have been claimed for it. n
only does it now appeal for the congratulations
its friends and the confidence of the public, but
may demand in addition that the mouths of its Ell
# mics be stopped. What right have these to abll
', it now when it stands before the public as a nc
enterprise rescued without fraud injustice fro
:. the overwhelming difficulties in which previo
- - mislnanagement had involved it, and that, too,
ID spite of their abuse and hostility? What right ha
h, they to defame and thus try to destroy or depl
$. ciate the property of widows and children and
poor laborer as well as the rich man, whose mon
and labor have been expended in saving that pre-
> erty and great public enterprise from total rui
1t speaks but poorly for the heart of that man W
can now do otherwise than bid it God speed. A
: all of those who abuse this enterprise engaged,
the managers and owners of this road are now,
hunting up and preparing to pay off all just cla
r. against the road though they are legally discharg
from the same? If New Orleans is to be the gre
beneficiary of this road, as all agree she will be,
VI what light should that citizen of hers be view
who would throw obstacles in the way of its p
gress and success? Is he not her enemy a
should any well wisher of New Orleans lend /
TO his ears? Should he not rather seek to drown
= clamor?
IN The hostility on the part of some, and the in
ference on the part of many, in New Orlea
G. towards this enterprise, have largely tended
retard its progress and shake the confidence in il
Nh points where it was very popular and this influel
is now most potent abroad. Its bearing should
changed, as it can be, for New Orleans could nj
by holding public meeting in which her lead
in and influential citizens should take active part
On make liberal subscriptions, cause every share
fered elsewhere to be sold in twenty days. "
1885, not do it? The enterprise is thousand-told m
promising now than when she so eagerly embra
its cause a few years since. Important legislat
IN is being sought for in Texas, and still more
portant will be sought in Congress this winter.
the voice of New Orleans is not indirectly hear
as those halls of legslation-when her local intel
e. re is assumed to be greater than that of any OF
~ point-whathope of a favorable result of endeay
y can be cherished? If New Orleans thus slows
ND will In