New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-11-06
NEW ORLEANS AND MOBILE.

when the peoI4e Sf1'o az AAS' w WIZ ANoi"'
but afterward took away and substituted
instead ragged tent. Nearly two hun
bred thousand now live within our city's
limits, and its superb structures, both
public and private, and its beautiful
churches, attest its growth and prosperity.
Surely, in view Of the irreverence of its
first commencement, the God of nations
has been merciful and generous. In this
first small settlement consisted the growth
of New Orleans and Mobile combined, for
in 1882, Bienville, then the Governor OF
the Louisiana provinces, whose head
quarters were at the latter place, foresee-
ing the superior commercial advantages
Of the former, sent the young and feeble
colony hither. Communication between
the two settlements was, OF necessity,
meagre in the extreme, and accomplished
only by canoes, luggers, and other
small craft cruising along the gulf coast.
Nearly an hundred years elapsed before
the advent of steam as applied to navi-
CATION, and not until fifty years ago did
the genius of Fulton, flashing from the
Hudson, rule the Southern waters with
its mighty power. When this occurred it
was considered almost as miraculous
event. The few white colonists looked upon
the first steamer sit glided along, breath
ing fire and smoke, upon the broad waters
of Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne, with
awe and delight, while with fear and con-
sternation the red men peered from be-
tween the forest leaves along the waters
edge.
But few, if any, citizens are now living
that existed then, who can remember the
steamer as it appeared for the first time,
but many recall with pleasure their trips
twenty years ago, on the Oregon or
''James L. Day" and California"
These steamboats, sailed at the rate of
eight and ten knots per hour,
and this rate of travelling was
called swift There was much that was
commemorate in these old boats-in their
well spread table, accommodating officers
and capable, well-mannered servants
Since their day much improvement has
been made in the construction and speed
Of steamers, aud those who traverse now
the waters of the Southern lakes and
rivers, are no exception in beauty and
speed to their sister crafts upon Northern
waves. But now their laurels are wither-
ing, and the slow pace Of even our fastest
crafts through the sinuous turnings Of the
voyage from here to Mobile will be set
aside for the more direct and swifter
course by land. The recent junction, by
rail, of the two principal cities of the
South. is hailed with joy by all sensible
persons, and the Chattanooga railroad is
justly considered the great event Of the
year. 1t certainly is, as it may affect the
future prosperity Of the South. Not only
does it enhance the advantages Of
travellers for pleasure, but for the
transportation Of cotton and sugar and
other articles Of trade between the two
cities, its superiority over the water route
can not be too highly estimated. II also
creates another link between New Orleans
and our sister city and the great CONNER
cial centres of the North, facilitating
travel in that direction, and forms a COM
for grand Southern Pacific
railroad. To see this successfully and
quickly consummated must be the wish of
all enterprising men. A southern route
to the edge of the western ocean would
have many and superior advantages over
the great northern route. The heavy
SHOWS and barriers of thick ice, blocking
mp the way, over the hills and through
the hollows of the Rocky mountains, the
biting cold and driving sleet which now
assail the traveller, would be avoided; for
the uniform mildness of Southern winters
would at once assert its superiority, and
cause Southern route to be of course
preferred by all classes of people.
Not only would individuals be greatly
benefited while journeying, but Southern
trade would quickly receive a powerful |
impetus, and the vast plains Of Arizona,
New Mexico and Lower California, now
waste and desolate, would blossom and !
grow into numerous and thriving towns |
md villages along the route. If the pro- |
ectors of the Chattanooga road would |
gain imperishable renowr, let them go on
With the good work they have commenced, |
md turning their energies and capital
westward, continue the Chattanooga to |
San Francisco, and complete the great |
Southern highway.
While estimating the material advan-
ages which result from the connection
by iron bands Of our American centres of |
rade and commerce, far and near, We
nay also gladly remember that these arti-
icial alliances tend to draw closer, in
more iraternal bonds, the brethren and
lndred Of our Republic, and, through
heir consequent mutual and better ac-
luaiItance, help to strengthen and pre-
erve that which should last until time
tSeH shall be no more-our Union
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