New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-30
NETWORK AND NORFOLK.

ATLANTIC COAST - THR FUTURE or TIR OLD
DOMINION
The physical geography of the continent, tie trend.
ing OF the Atlantic Coast from the Gulf Of Mexico 10 the
mouth Of the Hudson the general conVegenee Of the Cheat
Lakes IN direction. tho eastward detection
OF the hsssspp between the Calf and Lake Superior the
Gov Of the Missouri to this extreme point Of detection and
the Of the Ohio to the osntr point Of confluence
OF these vast rivers s favor tho truth OF the theory that
not only has already become the commercial center
Of the Republic bot that period In The futnre she Is
destined to WELD the commercial scepr Of the whole world
There are hundred circumstances faVerinG this theory
The eyernereasng intercourse by seam the near compile
oG ofteegreph communication between tho pillows Of the
Atlantic che opening Of trade with ths indies China
Jepso through By canal from the Levant to the Gufof
Persia the increasing facilities for reaching the Baltic the
CASPIAN Sea and the far East the Panama Railway pro-
posed ship canal along the valley Of the Msssspp the speedy
construction Of the Pacific Railway the immense
gold ylcd and las. and greatest ofs the dsenraont
Of the country from tbs wherng Of Slavery cal
oulsd TO impress tho mind with the idea that the of
around the globe taking central course in the
dst ofthc northern temperate sone and that city Of tho
advantages presented by Manhattan Island to be
the grand emporium OF he worlds civilization and trade
New York situated in the midst Of this producing
belt OF the ea and possesses elements commercial
power Than any other city. It is difficult why the
world shoud much longer pay tribute to tie
porum OF tie British Isles Spendidy situated London H.
she out Of the othe producing wherena
found the chief elements and trade Tie ifueues
which oompe the flow Of trade in her direction artificial
opoi tie scepter Of passed from Amsterdam
10 Lon6oD must the latter however reluctantly yield to
her youthful rival Of the western hemisphere
This theory IL general one; but aside from It, there
considerations Of local nature which confirm NewYOrk
the great axis OF wofdcrcng trade AID bid fair to
FOR leT glorious fu;aro. The enlargement OF the Erie and
OsWego Canal aud the application OF steam 10 canal
navigation voad to this city the control Of the great
Lake Bssn which would otherwise certain extent pass
down the ST. Lawrsuce-though the Indictment climate OF
Lower Canada fayors The diversion Of trade from that river
through Lake Champan and tho 0swego Csua TO tue En-
rre City In this direction supreme! is beToad
doubt wise administration Of tie State Government
shall make canals toee whenever necessary to prgelt
TIC diversion OF trade from
Regarding our coasve business certainly insured
sgs1s, competition The interior trade which must pass
along hs great railways and flow through the valleys Of the
Mississippi tie Missouri and the Ohio and their numerous
ri5aaes aordng aggregate inland navigation Of over
20 go miles rshders commercial attraction paramount to
every other and becomes yoaiy Irresistible taxing the
capital aud enterprise OF ,he whole country to give due course
% tue Of trade which BY awOf commerce as sure
tho Law OF gTayitaou carrying 20 vharYes tue
business ofthc entire Republic.
h end the Ohio River should be improved and would
be coi tbs who nirepresent the people In Congress
ayc the petty stFss and conceptions Of politics and IKE
oo improvement shosd consist Of judcious system OF
vogdan' without locks combined with the plan Of the Ia
nonied Eet This would at tri1ing COST peIna
channel OF trade with capacity. many times a. great
tt1t tho Erie Canal enlarged from Cairo to Pittsburgh
Iroi1 Pittsburgh Orleans the could be made ms
sg1be By locks and dams opening them through the Gen
eses Valley oRochester water lne that boats could
pass New York to the Ohio River without breaking
bu lie geographical fsEisrc which opposed
70 this general view, the Mississippi opening ito the Gulf
vh an interior cation Of than $1,000 miles This
Nigh, seem designate New Orleans the city destined
% eoatro ths commerce Of valley Of the Father Of
Waters"
But The tropical climate o. the Crescent City preeudes the
possibility OF her becoming the commercial emporium ofths
great valleys oounterso the permanent Influence OF
Nsw.Yosk Before the NewYork's attractions. in
commercial point Of view inverted tho nsura flow Of the
spp and f.s. ssb3octng the whole interior 10 her
Imperial sway and the defense Of Nevorleans In the
War OF Ie and her chic commercial strength in peacethe
cotton seen cowdng the decks Of up
ward bSund Cincinnati and Ptsburgh and they viii soon
make their way BY railway Memphis aud Cincinnati via
Norfolk. TO New.York.
Tho complstion Of ths Pacific Railway viii contribute i'm
nensey 20 the grandeur o. the metropolis in
future the Atlantic and Pacific termiDi OF this mighty
artery OF trade shoul become rivals for It's benefits there
le probability that such riSsly would seriously afeot our
combined advantages But number Of rivals viii undoubted
the interior st Louis and Chicago will contest the
trade OF gros railway and there will probably be large
number Of lesser competitions SO far as NewYork is con-
eeraed however 1t viii be matter OF little difference through
which the greater part Of 1t shall dow nAsmGch as they viii
Gil be tributary her and pour into her mighty lap their
united volume Our main interest will be to provide against
divergence OF these the waters of the
Mississippi and the 81. Lawrence.
The opening OF the water-ns between Chicago aud the
Anssssipp and the canal around the Niagara Falls are Of
great Importance. In tns convection, Eyork
g.. 49, H..
tween tie Hudson Mississippi and thus TO her
the hon. share Of the trade which viii concentrate upon
Chicago and keep passing down the ST. Lawrence
Considering the Of pork focE snd ether ssrieul
tura products shipped from Chicago and the growing tendency
TO direct importation IN all the gres. cities OF the West be-
comes tho policy NevYoEk spare pains 20 open eyey
facility for commercial intercourse with heG ~ IS'eat the
diversion Of their trade into other channels.
The danger NevYcEk Of losing heetEads Of the West
which viii accumulate ct ST. Louis will DO greater than from
Chicago The Agricultural products especially will be borns
strongly down the Mississippi to tie Crescent City fer sI
portaon Europe South America and the West Indies To
tho merchants end shippers Of New YORK. The most I'M
subject and upoa their prudence and saacy as wen
as upon the natural o. Ntx Yosk vii depend her
commercial greatness. .... +
Baltimore and Phsdephis viii be generous competitors FOR
the trade Of the Great West and the merchants Of he erop
oils canEot be indifferent spectators Of this vsf There
lav trade however favor fNewYork In this eorpe,
on ats o. Cocsh trade as be on the sea coast to
accommodate vsses Of heavy burden and formerly, .
Far interior as could nsygated vessels Of lighter draft
Inh, respect Philadelphia and baltimore suftr ecmpsr
sor With New York and can have sufficient depth Of
water to accommodate largo going yesse They are also
.e,er nearer NewY BY great railroads thar they are TO
the Atlantic and are therefore, both es dependent
upon ths Emps City r their Atlantic commercial In
tercoure
glance a. ". map Of tie United ststn win ,lOv tia,
ns..tlnp IQfx