The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-07-16

The shortest distance between two
points l. a straight line. This mathemafi-
cal axiom admits OF neither argument or
denial. YET our merchants seem 10 prefer
any angular course 10 reach the goal OF
prosperity and fortune. or the whirlpool
Of circles and rings. which more frequent
IL leads Ia disaster. than "A straight line.
The nearest and cheapest possible route
by which the Valley STATES can ship their
produce or obtain their imports. Is by the
Mississippi. is..vr. Still, strange as IL may
seem, We ship our flour and wheat. hrst
1900 miles by rail east Ia Baltimore or
New York. thence across the Atlantic, To
Liverpool again, recrossing the Atlantic
10 the south American coast. and south 10
Brazil. thus making "A triangular voyage
10 Rio of fifty days. rot including delays.
when We could. hy a direct voyage from
the mouth OF the Mississippi, accomplish
the same VOYAGE IN twenty-One days.
The idea that wheat should be shipped
first tai New \ Ork. thence 10 Liverpool.
70 be ground into Hour. and then 10 Rio.
should strike our millers a. an a~bSurdity.
and vet tits done. Mans nature Is gen.
orally advrse 10 the accomplishment Of
any object by a straight course. upon
the principle that an uncertainty y more
all ring than n fixed fact. Men rush
wildly into a silver-mine speculation. and
all kinds OF imprscricabilities, instead OF
pursuing a straight line for the attainment
OF a torture.
The road 10 prosperity for the Valley
States. whose commerce J. valued at two
billions Of dollars per annunn. Is TO open
trade with Brazil by a direct line Of steam
ers from the mouth OF the Mississippi Riv-
or. which would in a short time build up
u for - - .nrsarn.ra7ul tUF.wrannr.a nn.mr-
passed tor it. dazzling wealth. by a mutu-
al Exchange Of products. Yet IL would
appear, although We have millions Of cap
ital lying IDLE. we have neither the enter
prise nor the energy to put b Mississippi
Valley and Brazil steamship line into OF
eratiOn.
Baltimore has not hesitated 70 add to
her commercial prosperity by putting ON a
line Of steamers 10 Rio. and afiOrding in
creased facilities for the distribution Of
shipments and imports 10 and from the
Valley States hy the recent opening Of d.
rect railroad connection with Chicago
This fact has a significance much more im-
pOrtant than our commercial and manu-
featuring men may suppose We are nor
disposed % believe thar the solid men OF
-. Louis VIII remain content 10 look idly
on and witness the rapid strides of Balti-
more's Increasing trade. much les 10 aid
her a. a port Of importation tor sup
plying the wants OF the Valley
States by direct rail communication
with Chicago. Nor will We believe
that -. Louis. while having the imwense
advantages and facilities Of the Mis>issip-
nj River. and the connection Of her rail-
roads with the Gulf ports. defying all
competition in shipments or imports ~
and nom Europe and Brazil. will fail n
secure this direct line OF trade for herself,
and thus become free from paying tribute
to the East.
The outcry Of the depression Of ths
times j. only an excuse for the apathy anc
lethargy which siilict some Of our capital
i.ts and commercial men, while ether
cite. in spite OF these bug-bear obstacles
are moving with a determined force of ac
tion aud indomitable will TO grasp this -icl
prize. which their sagacity and enterprise
have prompted them 10 attempt 10 secure
But if the people Of IT. Louis remain sat
isfied with their present position a. depen
dents on Eastern ports for the shipment o
their produce. aud for the importation 81
their supplies. then we shall soon find tina
our = future greatness Will become =
distant a. only TO receive the reflection o
the brilliant prosperity of Eastern ports
while our own commerce will be contract
"a, becoming finally contemplate in dl
mensinns. Shall We have a direct line c
steamers to Brazil or nots1St. Lolt
Globe Democrat.