New Orleans Republican., 1873-04-11

by the courtesy which ever distin-
| guishes well bred gentlemn, there
seemed q conviction that some
| thing more was demanded by the exigen-
| cies of the State, and that, in the Ian
guage of one among the most eminent in
our late State troubles the time had come
| when we should clay our passions and
| preiudices upon the altar of our country" p"
| 1t is, however, more in the spirit which
prevailed, than even the words which were
uttered, that the evidences Of returning
harmony were perceptibleo
Upon the return of the party. and after
| dinner the committee of the chamber pro-
ceeded to combine a practical purpose
with the pleasures of the occasion.
The visitors and ladies were seated in
the upper part of the ladies cabin. while
| the rest of the company assembled to
| participate in the proceedings. The sub
| ject of levee reparaton as a national ne.
cessity was discussed by Professor For
shey and General Thompson, professional
engineers, practically familiar with the
physics of the Mississippi. Their expos
ition of the financial difficulties in the
way of our State protecting itself from
the drainage of twenty-one States, and OF
the capacity of the delta to produce the
| great staples of cotton and sugar, was
conclusive and calculated to make an i'm
preston upon gentlemen who may be
called on to pronounce upon the pro-
priety of legislative aid to the great work.
| The obstruction of the passes was also
treated by Professor Forshey. who showed
| a normal recurrence of the bar obstruction
| whenever artificial means were suspended.
He regarded the proposed outlet canal
as calculated to relieve the perpetual
dredge, but expressed doubts lest the ex-
cavation might fall upon substratum so
| soluble as to defeat the work. In regard
to this last question it may be re-
marked that the survey of location made in
1887 by Captain ". H. Chase, Uuited
States engineers. treats this subject
specially. and atfirms. upon the experience
of foundations excavated in the same
formations for Forts Jackson and st.
Philip, that there can be no difficulty on
the score stated. We may add that if the
canal had to be copper-fastened its whole
length. the people Of the Mississippi: VAL
ley could not afiorl to DO withoutit. The
attention Of the visitors was next called to
the Importance of looking even beyond
the mouth Of the Mississippi and provid-
ing for an expansion Of American COM
merce into and over the southern portion
of the continent. This could be effected
by railroads. steam lines, reduction of trade
charges and commercial intercourse with
those countries. In this connection the want
Of postal service between New Orleans and
the principal Gulf and Atlantic ports of
Spanish America was commented on and
an argument offered to show that if the
Central American and Mexican mails were
put on by way of New Orleans and in
board by rail to New York and the prin-
cipal cities of the interior, there would be
great economy in time and money.
In response to these advances the Sena-
tors expressed their appreciation Of the
necessity and merits of the work of levee
construction. and their sympathy with the
to which Louisiana had been
subjected. Neither Senators Cameron nor |
Howe had any doubt but that if proper
case for the aid of the government should
be made out. it would be considered with |
the same impartiality as if emanating from
any other part Of the Union.
Mr.. Creswell expressed similar IN
terest in the supply of adequate postal
intercourse between New Orleans and the
continental ports south Of lis. 1t would
always give him pleasure to contribute
officially to furnish this intercourse Ly
any means within his power.
The object Of these addresses have been
only to place certain subjects Of public
interest before gentlemen who might
probably be called upon TO act officially
upon them. There was no wish that
-hese gentlemen should commit them
selves on the subject. Their responses.
therefore, We're understood to express
ratification at the cordially with which
hey had been welcomed. and p purpose
o give to the application of Louisiana,
@ lar as it depended upon them. . fair
md favorable consideration.
The remarks o: other gentlemen. ,!itttr-
ng as they did among themselves in po-
itican opinion aud action. agree. in two
important particulars - in respect and
ourtesy toward the visitors. and in fer :
ent wishes for tina; harmony Of purpose ,
Without which any application 70. mate.
ial aid abroad must be fruitleSs. It
The excursion was thus in every respect {
seful. 1t taught our influential visitors t
ne value of Louisiana. 10 the rest Of the l
nion, with the necessity OF coming to q
ar aid by the construction OF public works L
hich she can not herself construct: L
at there is among Il, 4 wish for de- :