New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-10
Junction Of the MississippI and the
Atlantic.

junction Of the Mississippi and the
Atlantic.
A correspondent writes to the New York
Times:
In q recent issue, your Paris correspon-
dent meations the great interest two great
American engineering projects were excit-
ing in Europe-the one the intersection of
the Isthmus of Dsrien 1.-THE concession for
which had just been obtained by Senior
Gorgoza from the government of COlOmbia),
the other, the canalizst required through
the Peninsula of Florida to effect the juno
ton OF the Mississippi and the Atlantic,
pointing out at the same time the feasibil-
ity OF the latter work, and. on account of
the magnitude of its Importance, both to
our own country and Europe. the desira-
bility of its early inception. I take pleas
ure in laying before your readers cOpious
extracts from the ''intormations" prepared
for the International Geographical Con-
gress which was held last year in Paris,
and which, as we have seen, ie already pro.
ducing such good results. The magnitude
and great cost of the works incidental to the
opening of . canal through the Isthmus of
Darien las well as the complicated political
interests involved), preclude the hope that
any such scheme can be brought to sue
cesstul issue unless on thoroughly inter-
national basis. With the simple dredging
and ditching required to connect the st.
Mary's and Suwanee rivers, and improve
ment of the already existing water ways
from thence to New Orleans, it is quite an
other affair. and it is doubtful whether our
unfortunate surplus labor At present could
be more proftably applied for the general
good OF the trade and commerce of our
country than by opening this great national
highway. It is impossible to read the clear
and interesting communication without con-
curing IN the hope that this eminently
practical and singularly inexpensive work
(but fraught with such almost incalculable
public good may not only be speedily un-
dertaken. but accomplished. Following are
the extracts referred to:
THE Associated Chambers of Commerce
of the United Kingdom affiliated now with
those Of Germany and France), in their re-
cent report after showing the enormous
capabilities of the Mississippi valley for
maintaining the most Furnishing trade in
the world, point ont among the Obsrructions
prominently calling for removal, the din.
culties and expenses attending the trans
portation Of merchandise IN bond to the in
terror of the United States. and the ex-
Cessive taxes and charges in shipping at
New Orleans, which amount almost to a
prohibition Of the use Of that port for gen
ersl commerce.
"By 40 other way can these be avoided,
or this great desideratum obtained than by
adopting this route. Speaking of it in his
message 1894, President Grant says:
Such route along our coast would be of
great value at all times, but of ineetimsble
value in case Of foreign war. Ma
ture has already provided the greater part
of the route, and the obstacles to be over
come are easily within the skill of the en-
gineer.' .
=. hoS.
Orleans to st. Marks in Florida, . series of
lakes, lsgoons and sand.locked water ways
extend along the coast, all navigable, and
separated at long intervals by low necks of
land. requiring little more than ekillful
dredging to open the route to the SuWanee
river in Florida. From the Suwanee river
to the Great St. Mary's river 10 only thirty
pours It's stately flood unimpeded by rock
or ehoal into the Atlantic ocean, near
the southernmost point of Cumberland
island. By this plan, and at minimum
cost 1.-THE canal needs only depth of from
seven to eight feet to aoat the largest steam
ers o. craft frequenting these rivers), %, 900
miles Of rivers and navigable waters, al
commerce, will be opened up, and the
Southern planter or the Western granger
from the ramotest districts will be enabled
to ship their produce by the easiest and
cheapest mode OF transportation known to
commerce land without breaking bulk,
to ocsan-going steamers and shipping OF
any tonnage lying in the SAFE asi naroors ana
thus avoiding all the dangers now incident
TO the navigation Of the Bahamas, reefs Of
Florida and Gulf of Mexico"
When We consider the immensity Of the
interests at stake, and how we Europeans
are so vitality interested in obtaining the
great staple of cotton, corn and sugar on
prod ucers-for our toiling millions, we can
hardly over-estimste the Importance and
desirability of opening this great highway.
And we suggest that during the approach
ing centennial; to commemorate the great
ness to which it has attained and the ben
evolence Of its Intentions, no more 6enen'
cent public work could be adopted by the
great republic of the West.