New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-03-16
st. Louis and New Orleans Railroad.
We copy the following communicate

We copy the following communication
written to the ST. Louis Democrats:
Of all the great conceptions of st. louis
brain, nothing equals this direct communi-
cation with New Orleans by the west bank
of the Mississippi. This idea is now bein.
embodied into form in this city, and its de-
velopments will be found in full harmony
with our rushing future" We do not here
purpose any engineering details, all of
which will appear in good time, to the sat
isfaction of the most skeptical. A glance,
however, at the theory of the plan will be
interesting to the commercial eye of this
great focus from which it is to radiate D
rect rail communication with New Orleans
necessarily implies grand combination
OF general government, State and pri-
Vate means. 1t is now fixed fact, to
which the intelligence of the United States
is fully committed (see congress ional levee
reportsj, that nothing short of the power
and resources of the general government can
save this tairest and most productive por.
ton OF the continent from watery grave.
These fertile fields, which in years gone by
poured so much into the national Golfers
are fast returning to a wilderness, and the
willow now weeps over departed fields of
cotton and sugar cane. Before her fall, the
South could in some degree, protect her
self against the calamity Of overflow. But
now, with no credit, MobIlier, stationary
or any other kind: labor turned dog in
the Manager" several governments to sup.
port, all hope Of self-defense is gone.
In this emergency they in,tinctvely
turn to the power which has brought
this destruction upon them, nor pause to
ask if it is right or wrOng--the power to
wound and 20 heal-knOwing full we'll that
every corner of the government must feel
the benefit OF this protection. In the
overlooking regions levee of sufficient
magnitude, capped by double track to
New Orleans which this direct trade to the
gulf. to say nothing of unborn States in
that direction, would soon require. and no
more overflow. but smiling fields again to
whlten the ocean with our commerce. Pru.
dent engineers would have a holy horror
of "caving banks" and keep far out of
danger, leaving front prOpretOrs to attend
to their own private property. We have
looked in vain for any obstacle on the whole
route which would embarrass the science of
the age, and regard the work as grander in
its achievement than that which now binds
the two oceans together. At the lower end
of the line the work is in measure com.
pleted, for the New Orleans and Texas rail.
road runs up the Mississippi miles before
striking due West, to which point we could
anchor. Here comes up the great question:
Will COngreas build the levee! Can it re-
IuSe IulS great DOOn ID lDc OOuUn ana w est,
now firmly and forever united in the strong.
est bands of mutual interest and sympathy.
when its contamination appeals so power.
fully to the welfare of all!
Every producer on the Mississippi and it's
tributaries is interested in this great work.
as it can but increase the value of every
bushel of grain In transit South and to Ell.
rope. The river carrying trade is deeply
interested, for he has lived with closed eyes
who does not know that boats and cars 90
well together, as has been abuudantly
proven since the first railway on the Hud-
son. The States directly interested will. no
doubt. do all they can for the road. and
material aid has been promised by the
towns through which it will pass. We hope
there will be no delay in proper organiza.
ton. for the West is losing too much. and
can not afford to wait. "Where there il a
will there is way"-for st. Louis.
+. ID. K.