The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-02
LIGHT AHEAD.

We have frequently before called the atten-
ton of our readers to the possibility of direct
ing to this city the greater part of the grain
trade of the Northwest Every day it is be-
coming more and more apparent that unless
we can obtain some other source of revenue
than cotton, New Orleans can never hope to
regain the commercial prosperity she enjoyed
previous to the war. These signs of the times
are written so plainly that he who runs may
read and it is the worst of folly for us to shut
our eyes to them. But while our prospects
are so gloomy in regard to that trade which, in
days gone by gave to us our wealth, the hori-
ION is frightening in a direction to which we
have been little accustomed to look. The
farmers Of the Western States have made the
discovery that their grain can be carried to
an Eastern market cheaper, quicker and in
better order by shipping it via New Orleans,
than by the present mode, which is part rail,
part schooner and part canal. 1t can be done
cheaper, because it costs sixty-two cents per
bushel TO send grain from Central Illinois to
Boston or New York, via Chicago, and forty
seven cents per bushel if sent via New Orleans;
it can be done quicker because canal boats
travel more slowly than steamboats, and steam
ships, and also because from the middle of
November till the middle of April, no boat
can navigate the great lakes, thus involving
the yexatiUus delays OF a through rail route.
That the grain suffers less, is evidenced by the
fact that the consignees of the steamship ORR
entail, which recently arrived at Boston laden
with corn, originally shipped in barges from
Dubuque, Iowa, reports her cargo in better
condition than the average of corn brought
overland.
The men Of Illinois and Iowa are too
shrewd not to realize the Importance of these
facts, and have already begun to look about
for means to carry out an end so closely al
lied to their own interests Let us but dis
play proper energy and enterprise in this
matter and we can attract to our city trade
which will prove as lucrative as cotton in its
palmiest days. Two things however are ne
cessary. First, we must be able to guarantee
to shippers that vessels will suffer no deten-
ton at the mouth of the river, and second,
we must provide here efficient and ample
means to transfer grain from barges to ships
as fast as it can be brought down. To OBJ
viate the first of these difficulties the Light
ering and Wrecking Company Of this city was
organized, and nothing but the scarcity of
available capital has retarded its complete
success. But let this enterprise succeed, and
let US have grain elevators enough here by
next spring to transfer all the corn and
wheat that NAV be sent us this wear and the
next from Cairo, and New Orleans will take
q new lease of business life.
The Western Hercules stands ready to help
us, if we only show to him our willingness to
help ourselves With little energy and a
little enterprise We may yet reap a golden
harvest. We leave this subject for the pre-
sent, earnestly commencing it to the thought
full attention of every man interested in the
true welfare of this city.