The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-29
REVIVAL OF TRADE IN THE SOUTH.

REVIVAL OF TRADE IN THE SOUTH.
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Modern Rivals Of New York for the Grain
Trade Of the West and the Cotton Trade Of
the Ssuth.
The city Of New York cannot prudently disregard
the strenuous exertions that are making northward
and southwark to wrest from her a share Of the
trade which she has so long monopolzed and In the
enjoyment Of which she has come to consider her.
self beyond the reach OF competition. The prodi-
gious growth Of the city is due mainly to two
causes:-First, to the command Of western trade,
which she secured at very early date, and second,
to the reation she established and maintained with
the cotton CROP which secured to her almost
monopoly Of the importing business Of the Union.
Her early command Of the Northwestern trade was
obtained through the agency OF the Erie Canal which
was opened just In time to take advantage Of the
rapid agricultural development produced by steam
navigation on the Western waters. To steamboat
navigation on the Hudson, the lakes and the great
rivers Of the West, and to the Erie Canal the
West owes all OF its early and marvellous develop
ments In production and population; and this West
growth has had its most striking result in the
miraculous growth Of New York city. The substitu-
ton OF railroad transportation to considerable ex
tent for that by water has tended to dispense the
advantages Of Western trade in degree, enabling
Quiet CitlcS OH VI tiic sedDOdTu
in them with New York. But Notwithstanding
that these railroads are transacting a vast
amount of business still the great bulk Of
Western trade must continue indefinitely to
prefer the cheaper transportation OF water. The
Erie Canal therefore, must continue to constitute
powerful leverage in favor OF New York; although 1t
must be recOlected that the channel OF the ST. Law
renee, subsequently rendered available for the dis
charge Of Western trade, constantly threatens
diversion of important fragments OF the mass from
the necessity OF unceasing vigilance and enterprise
for the preservation Of her commercial dominion
Nor Is 1t by water alone that this competition Is
threatened. On the north the completion OF the
Hoosic tunnel, with the consolidation OF the roads
powerful competition on that line while still
more formidable competitor looms up In still
higher latitude: Mr. Alvin Bronson, In late
number OF Hstnrs Magazine, speaking OF the great
line of railway leading from Lake Michigan to Port
land, Me-, says that 1t will put New York upon her
when completed Portland will be nearer to Chicago
by two hundred miles and to Liverpool by three
hundred miles than New York, an advantage of dis
lance which is only compensated to New York by the
advantage OF cheapness OF transportation Afforded
by the Erie and Oswego canals.
Turning our attention southwark, Baltimore Is
making the most noteworthy exertons to share with
New York the importing and exporting trade OF the
Union BY means ns OF o It's greatest wSrSwtne
| to its warehouses very considerable share not
only Of the grain of the West, but Of the
| cotton and tobacco Of the South and Southwest.
| 1t disputes for trade with New York at Chicago
and Cleveland; with Philadelphia at Pittsburg and
with every Northern city at Memphis, Nashville and
Atlanta. BY means of consultations and leases 1t
has secured entire control of powerful railroad lines
through Wheeling, far into Northern Indiana, and
| through Parkersburg and Cincinnati 500 miles
to Indianapolis. II is not content to stop at the
termini Of its proper roads on the banks OF the
Ohio but by means OF powerful alliances It advances
from standpOints nearly thousand miles from It's
own counting houses and depots completes with
! its rivals for the commerce of the interior. Be
sides due complement OF sailing vessels 1t now has
five ocean steamers, owned by ITSELF running regu
larry TO European ports and contempates stead,
direct trade. 1t has prosperous line OF steamers
plying to Charleston. by means of which It draws to
It's whaves much Of the trade brought to that city by
railroads from Memphis and Atlanta.
The abolition of slavery and the inauguration
Of cotton culture BY free labor must sure
be Memphis, and the great bulk Of cotton vii
be produced In that portion OF the forme
cotton region most favorable to white labor. TIL
Indian Territory, Arkansas Tennessee, North Caro-
lina upper South Carolina north and middl
Georgia, the same portions Of Alabama an
Mississippi, and north Louisiana and Texas wi
hencelorth make up the cotton growing region OF tn
United States. Towards the northern boundary {
this fine country now stretches a railroad from MOI
folf, Virginia, 10 Memphis, on the Mississippi, 81
miles In length; and this line will be eXtende
due west through Arkansas and the Indian TerritOr
to the valley OF the Rio Grande That portion OF h
line lying east OF the Mississippi is fed by branc
! Alabama and also from Dalton, Rome and Atlanta IL
Georgia. IL is also fed by branches from Nashvill
and from West Tennessee. Down and up the Missis
slpp to Memphis other large supplies OF cotton anC
other trade brought In vast and increasing guam
titles to its western terminus
The natural point OF debOuche for this commanding
line ofraiway Norfolk and in the trade OF this road
when brought to Norfolk, the city of New York has
great interest. This line constitutes New York.
best avenue overland through the great cotton pro
ducing zone Of the United States to that principa
| centre next to New Orleans) OF cotton receipts
Memphis.
The key to the command of this great railway lint
and its trade Is that portion Of II lying between
nooga Charleston bids for the Memphis and Nash
vile trade by means Of her line Of railroad to tina
! point: and at Lynchburg Baltimore bids for the
same trade by means OF the railroad which she con
! trols running from Washington city and AleXandria
| 10 that central town OF Virginia All the in
terests OF the Eastern Virginia cities natu
| rally combine them in common effort To
retain control or that part OF this railroad
stretching from Lynchburg into Tennessee, called the
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad; and this control Is
strenuousy contested at each annual election OF the
officers of this company by Baltimore. Ii seems
then, for the interest OF New York to sustain the
eastern cities OF Virginia In this great enterprise OF
first class railroad, and IN placing 1t under com
bned and harmonious management, from Tennessee
to Norfolk. That New York would Immensely par
ticpate In the advantages OF trade thus brought
Norfolk from the West and south II needs no argu
ment 20 prove
| The command OF the cotton trade gives immense
advantage securing control Of the importing bust
ness OF the country, and no city can afford TO o0k
| with indifference or complacency upon any measures
designed TO intercept from its accustomed control
| commanding q staple.