New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-31
OUR RAILROAD INTEREST,

1t Is matter OF some surprise that at a
time when Western cities are striving with
all their capital and commercial enterprise
to push railroad lines into every section Of
the country, New Orleans alone is inactive
and Indifferent to it. Nor is this surprise
diminished when it is reflected that our
trade with the Southwestern States is
mainly dependent upon enterprise Of this
description. In the region Of southern
Arkansas, Texas and the vast scope of
country stretching toward Santa Fe and
central Mexico, the trade of New Orleans
should hold unlimited sway. 1t would if
our merchants would only awaken to a
sense Of their interest.
Already st. Louis is engaged in running
a road through Arkansas to the Red River
The tier Of Texas counties bordering on
that stream are shipping by this line the
rich productions Of their soil to this great
commercial ritual. The cotton that once
found an outlet through the Arkansas
river to New Orleans is now filling the
warehouses Of the upper Mississippi. Even
Memphis las aroused to the impulse of
modern enterprise, and proposes to con
meet herself with Shreveport by a direct
line Of railroad communication. From
this point the region of central Texas is
open to her trade.
And what have we to show in rivalry Of
these cities: Only a single line, incom-
plete, and inthe way Of which every posi-
bic impeachment is thrown. Our mer-
chants, if not actually opposed to it, are
Indifferent to its success. The bonds re-
luctantly granted by the General Assem-
bly, have been the source of incessant COM
plant, and are held up as marvellous ex-
ample Of Legislative corruption, robbery
and fraud. The same enterprise which
has secured to St. Louis and Chicago their
wealth and prosperity is open to US. They
have pushed out their iron arms until the
great West is absolutely tributary to their
success. When avenues of trade were
lacking they made them; when rivalry in
commerce sprung up they conciliated Or
crushed it. Why may not our merchants
do the same?
Stretching along the Gulf and Atlantic
coasts, and over and across the prairies of
Texas, is a richer and more fertile country
than any under the sun. The trade of
this country is ours by right. 1t is tribu-
taIy to us. Nothing but supineness and |
Indifference can lose it. But it must be |
admitted that We are in a fair way to do |
it. Instead of grasping golden opportu-
mites to streAg CITIZEN and increase our COM
merce, build up our trade, and open ave
nues along which the rich productions of
the Southwest may pass to our doors, our |
merchants have turned politicians, and
are seeking to make experiments in liter
allure.
Is this as it should be? The Chatta-
nooga railroad will soon be completed to
Houston; within year, as we are reliably
from New York. But it is to be
done BY Eastern capital, aided by the
State contribution, and is the result Of
that spirit Of enterprise alive in every
country but here. It does not, however,
the work before Us. With tie
Of this line of travel, new
avenues of trade should be built, until
New Orleans indeed and in truth becomes
the commercial emporium of the South.
It can be done il only our merchants
viii awaken to a sense of their duty.
The Picayne contains very sensible
article on the subject of '.Sealed Proposals"