The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-06-04

advertisements forthe DEMocRATIc STATES
MAN, and collect and receipt for money.
We hope the public will patronize the
Majors new enterprise. sr
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SHIP CANALS AND RAILWAYS.
The public mind has been, for the last
few years, very much excited about canals
and lines of railway, which would give the
most speedy and direct travel and freight
between the more important trade centres
of the world. The Suez Canal, which was
opened under the immediate auspices Of,
the late French Emperor, was pronounced
to be a complete success; and it was as
serted and believed that commerce and
navigation. would receive untold aids and
benefits from the reduction of time, travel
and insurance in the Shortening Of the dis
tanoe between the cities and islands on and
along the continent of Asia and in the Pa
cifc Ocean. 81.
For time, all. went we'll, and the re-.
ceipts for tolls.were said to be large and in
creasing. The world looked on with appro-
baton; and felt convinced that the, genius
and energy of man had overcome one of
the greatest difficulties inofhei wayoo of ex-
tended and remuneratlve commerce. But
gradually public confidence has been
shaken and it is now asserted, that the, Suez
Canal is failure; that the banks are falling
in and soon there owill mot be depth of
water sufficient for vessels of ordinary tonS
mage to pass through; and as a consequence
they will have again to double the Cape of
Good Hope in passing from thewaters of the.
Indian and Pacific oceans into the Atlantic
and along the shores Of Europe. But to
compensate for this great loss to commerce
and to Europe, the Czar of Russia contem-
plates building railway across, the conti-
nent of Asia, which can be met at the ter
minus by steamships discharging freight for
Europe and loading for America. The Pa
cifc Railroad, already built to San, Fran
cisco, and the TexS Pacific, which win be
finally completed to San Diego, will become
termini for the steamers to discharge freight
and passengers e01 ssu-tsseS.ss-1r ~
will be only a question of time when a trip
around the earth can be made in a very short
time, perhaps not exceeding two weeks.
Not only will travel be rapid, but all parts
of the world will be brought, as it
were, into close relations in the
daily transactions of business. Such asso-
citation will have the effect of breaking
down the wall of partition between the diff
ferent nationaities, and uniting them more
closely in all the relations ofIlife.E Com
merce will be stimulated; newsnterprises
spring up; and the world will receive new
life in the onward march of science, wealth
and greatness. The isles of the ocean win
awake from their dreams; new republics
will spr1ng into existence; new alliances
formed, which may revolutionize the world
and present greater changes thanywere ever
dreamed of. We know,that the centres of
trade have been shifting as the channels of
commerce have changed. Nineyeh and
Babylon once dominated the earth,
and laid the nations underl tribute.
But after growing Immensely rich,
they feasted upon the delicacies and
reveled in luxurious and sensual living till
their minds were weakened and their ener-
gies destroyed. Theyifell and passed away
forever. But the world went on. Com
merce spread her white wings, and centered
upon Alexandria in Egypt. That city be
came grand and beautiful. The woFldpaid
her tribute for q season; and then her glory
departed. Again commerce spread her
wings, and the channels Of trade centered
in the Eternal City. Rome became the
mistress of the world and, the inhabitants
bowed at her shrine. But the same laws
were at work, laws which are as fixed and
enduring as time itself. And like causes
produced ike results. The seeds Of decay
had been sown; they took root and bore
fruit. Rome fell flOm her lofty eminence,
and her glory like the star Of empire west
ward took its flight London then became
the centres and to-day population Of
8. 500, 900 souls attest her greatness. p But
can She standg Do we not now have the
evidence Of her decay There are potent
causes at work. just such as have oPeEuled
in pulling down nherpredecsssoIs u spleneor
and power. The channels are gradually
opening up to the city Of New, York and
the, time win come when I.Qndon win be-
come like Rome, and she win sit IN the dust
Of her humiliation.
Perhaps It is wen for this government that
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