New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-31
Terms of SubscriptloB.
10 year, IS; six months, 81 so.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Letter from Vera Crnz.
VERA CRUZ TO MEXICO.

The reader is referred to the immense
works descriptive of this country which
intervenes between Vera Cruz and the
capital of the republic. It is sufficient to
say that it comprehends the extremes Of
sterility and fertility. That it presents the
whole range between the products of tie
tropical and temperate zones. The whole
communication along this line was once
by q paved road, almost exclusively used
as means Of transport by beasts OF bur-
den. This road has been superseded by a
railroad 263 miles in length, presenting the
best advantages Of construction, both in
it's gradient, rail and rolling stock. 1t
would be pronounced anywhere a first
class road. In country geologically
abnormal, where the acqueous and igneous
formations are SO intermixed, and the vol
canic upheavals go violent that the stratiti-
cation inclines from the perpendicular to
the horizontal by every degree of the
quadrant, it was, of course, very difficult
to secure a location approaching to regu-
]arity. This difficulty is increased by the
absence of rivers, which cut their
grades through the mountains of our
country, and by the fact that the formation
consists of successive plateaus that throw
the gradients Of the railroad upon points of
elevation, rendering it very difficult to dis
tribute the perpendicular ascent within the
short lineal distances which separate these
plateaus. This has rendered necessary,
also, q great deal of curvature minimum
$50 feetradius). While, therefore, it is said
that the location of sections might be i'm.
proved. the engineering is really admirable
fhe-tangentsand curves equalize the whole
elevation in the most perfect manner. Be-
tween Orizaba and Boca del MOnte-the |
@lp of the MOuntain-there is some 5000 |
te14 elevation put in within q distance of |
abunt twenty-five miles. This requires gra.
dents of about 40, or about 200 feet to the |
mile. 1t requires also q locomotive OF great
power, and weighing about sixty tons, but
tho ascent Is effected at the rate of about
eight miles an hour, and with steadiness
to which the weight of rail and engine give
assurance of perfect security. The lines of
ascent traverse the sides of the mountains,
trIniug curves, sometimes on a bridge
over ravine, and traverse line still
parallel to the course, gaining at
each stretch the perpendicular elevation
due to the grade. Viewed from one of
these lower points the road seems to lie in |
parallel lines, like cord regularly doubled
upon itself. Az these lines rise above the |
valley they present views which in the
distance are beautiful, but from the chasms
'hQf hAvnuu mr. oh 20 hoc l
times terrific. This view, however, from
the coffee groves, the banana, orange and ,
other products around COrdova to the ,
solder srmmits of the plateau of Mexico, at
height of more than 5000 feet above the -.
lea, presents almost every variety of climate
md products. The verdure Of the greater
'art OF this route can scarcely be described.
Masses OF vines and foliage. with every =
hade OF color in flower and forest, render .
he whole road one magnificent, panorama.
q Is worthy OF being adopted into q ma Z
ional tour OF our young Americans. Ter. Z
nmating in the city and scenery of Mex.
co and the surrounding country, it deserves
guide book, and might be made subject q
# artistic and scientific study as well al of Il
~ h. |
eryatiOn. Il
CORDOvA ~
This city is seated on an extensive bl
lateau. 1t is surrounded by lands of ia
inform and unsurpassed fertility. 1t ia ! Iii
applied with water from untailing rivers ia
nd enjoys climate ranging from I6o to al
10 the year round. The population is til
ated at 1000, and consists in good part of p'
andicraft workmen who produce the CON- &C
odities principally consumed in the ad. nj
cent country. C0rdova and the adjacent tt
untry represents zone of climate and m
oducts which extends entirely around the ar
hole republic of Mexico. This isothermal OF
nth, but it may be traced from Osjaca, or
ound by Vera Cruz, Tamaulipas, Durango pc
d Sonora, to the Pacific coast. 1t is the OF
~ zone in Mexico which produces such Ia
'ples as sugar, coffee and tropical fruits cis
itch can alone offer inducements to CON- m!
rec or bear the cost of interchange faGE
eign commodities. 1t SEae precious
tails lie far above thus limit, but for the de,
sent we cOnfne ourselves to q description 80
his zone, and offer the town of Cordova. thi
he State Of Vera Cruz as specimen of in
inducements offered to commerce and if I
Cordoya is surrounded by tiol
atations ranging from . few acres to ferl
1sands Of acres. These farms are in Am
owned by the municipality and leased in a
ground rents; others are held vie,
tenure and may be pur- rea'
ed in large or small bodies. The por