New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-20
Railroads In the South.


We copy, as matter of general interest,
the following from the New York Standard;
One of the best evidences that the South
il rapidly recovering from the effects OF the
late war is found in the general interest that
is felt in the construction OF railways an
through that section OF the country. Even
the great West, tecming as it is with every
natural advantage which can make coun-
try rich and prosperous, can not compare
with the South in the variety or extent OF
its resources, The restoration OF OF harmony
and the completion of the work OF recon-
struction leave the people free to develop
their territory, as they were never before
able to develop it, and IN Few years tne
he as wonderful as the transformations
which are daily taking place in the West.
II cannot be doubted that the great ele-
menf in the development Of the South, as
of every other country, will be her raj
roads, Even more than sunshine and
shower, they make the land to blossom like
fine rose. The barren hills smile with de-
light when the iron horse PUSHES through
the valleys, and the mountains become
almost as fruitful as the plain. Towns and
cities spring UP rs sort of tender to the
locomotive. The whole face of nature
changes as if by.magic when the railroad
stretches its wand OF iron over unbrOken
fields and untrOddcn pastures. So it must
always be, but it is even more peculiarly SO
of the South at this time than OF any other
part Of the American continent.
1t has long been a problem how direct
line Of communication by rail between New
York and New Orleans should be cstab-
lished. That it will be done before many
years no one doubts A study OF the map
points ont certain towns and cities as
directly on this line of communication, and
some railroads already built must become a
part Of the great trunk route. Thus, tor
instance, it is certain that the road must
run from this city to Hagerstown, and from
Mobile to Montgomery over lines already
constructed. This adds to the general in
terest felt in railroad matters in the South.
and enhances the value and Importance Of
such roads as the Mobile and Montgomery
Railroad.
Alabama is one of the richest States in
the Union in it's natural resources, and has
the great advantage over many others OF
being almost free from debt. So anxious
are the authorities of the State and SO con-
ment that they have undertaken to guar
antee the bonds Of the Mobile and Mont
gomery Railroad Company, in order to in
crease its capital and consequent useful
ness. The road is one hundred and eighty
two miles long and il free from debt, but it
needs money for building bridges from its
present terminus near Mobile into that city,
and to increase the equipment to carry for
ward the traffic brought tO it by the recent
completion Of the road from New Orleans
to Mobile. Already it is the best roatbto
the North and West, and it's bonds Gun not
fail to be among the best in the market.
There is both philosophy and sentiment in
the building and management of railroads,
but as profit in matters of this kind is more
important than sentiment, we rather con-
fine ourselves, while speaking of railroads
in the South, to such as afford the best op
portunities for Northern capitalists.