The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-16
PHILADELPHIA AND BRAZIL.

Jf the Philadelpi1a papers are 10 DC DeleVea
HAT city has already secured the proposed
line OF steamships between the United States
and Brazil. The Press, of the 10th Inst,
contains long statement from borne Blod-
get. the representative OF the interests OF
Philadelphia at Washington, in which he
says that decisive steps had already been
taken In Philadelphia, and Nh amount OF cap
ital sufficient to secure the success OF the en-
terprise Ia already assured
Mr.. Blodget goes on 10 say that he has had
most satisfactory interviews with the Presl-
dent, the Secretary of State and the Con
gressonaI Committee on Commerce. and also
with Senior Borges, the Brazilian Minister at
Washington. all of whom are strongly In
favor of closer commercial relations between
this country and Brazil. Senior Borges also
stated that he had received dispatches stating
that contracts for monthly line TO COM
mence on the first of next April, had already
been signed, but TO what city these ships
shall be consigned is not stated. 1t Is signifi-
can't. too. that nowhere does Mr. Blodget
say specifically that the persons In authority
with whom he has been in consultation had
preferred Philadelphia as the city to secure
the benefit Of this enterprise, or that they had
expressed otherwise than in general terms
favorable to the closer trade relations OF the
two countries.
II Ia positive. however that both our own
government and that of Brazil are exceeding
ly well disposed toward the establishment OF
direct steam communication, and that they
propose to forward this object by the grant
ing oil heavy subsidies.
Now, New Orleans has as good showing,
and more inducements to offer to secure ii,
than any other city of the United States; but
1t ID quite certain that she will not do it, and
will allow this golden opportunity to pass
from her forever, II her commercial men do
not interest themselves In the matter at once
and In the most earnest manner.
Such vast and incalculable benefits as this
are not thrust upon an Indifferent, spirltless
and reluctant people. On the contrary, they
are great prizes that are won only after the
most strenuous competition. in which natural
advantages are but merely incidental consid-
erations, and they are invariably secured by
superior energy, sagacity and enterprise. In
point OF locality New Orleans has every ad-
vantage, and these are 80 great and 80 mani
fest that we venture the assertion that every
possible preconception on tho part of the au-
thorities that is DISTINGUISHED H. at this time,
in her favor.
IF. under these circumstances, we per-
nit the opportunity Of securing this great
hope Of reviving our commerce and recupe-
rating our lost prosperity to escape us, II will
be simply disgrace that the commercial
spirit Of this city should blush .t0 incur. II
win be more than tbis-<itt" Will be the doom Of
all our future PROGRESS as q commercial city,
our shipping will desert, our trains continue
SO 20 out Of the city empty, and our rotting
swharves will alone remain, the mournful
monuments OF q decayed and eflete people
We have said all we could say, written all
we knew how to write, In order to awaken a
proper interest In this matter. We have
compiled tables of exports and imports, added
figures to figures, told Of rich subsidies that
were assured as bonuses over and above TN
told wealth of profits TO accrue from legiti-
mate trade, and put the benefits TO be realized
from this trade, as we'll as the calamities to
result from the loss Of 1t, In every possible
shape In order to arouse our merchants
to the proper appreciation Of the OPP
portunity. More than this 1--WE can.
not do-the rest they must accomplish them.
fateful day. and II strenuous and well
directed efforts are not made now, Philadel.
phia, New York, or some other Eastern city.
will secure the entire benefit OF this direct
trade. which will most certainly be estab-
lished within the period OF year at furthest
We should have. as these cities will have
able and energetic representatives Of oul
commercial interests at Washington, con
stantly urging tho great advantages of New
Orleans and her superior facilities for con
trolling this trade. We should also have our
representatives In all the great Western
cities, working up combinations, as these
cities also have.
BY special dispatch to the Press, from
Washington, we see that MI John w. Fralick
of Philadelphia, has perfected arrangements
with the government for departure upon Q
mission to the countries Of South America
The object is to secure postal facilities with
those countries and 10 negotiate treaties with
them similar to the Berne Postal Unior
Treaty, and to aid In the extension Of Ameri
can commerce Under the auspices of the As
sociated Industries of the United States.
This association represents the leading man
ufacturers OF all the Eastern cities and of the
largest OF the Western, and Mr.. Fralick is &c
meet delegation of the association at st
Louis on his way out. This is how Philadel-
phia manages: she sends representative Of
d vast commercial combination, organized In
her own interests, to negotiate treaties fol
the government and establish postal and
trade relations. Surely natural advantages
backed by sloth and indifference, cannot com.
pete with work like this. Verb. Sap. Sat.
Mr.. Blodget had an infinite deal of talk with
the reporter of the Press. all of which is re-
ported It is hardly necessary to 60 over the
many Inducements he presens in favor o.
the opening of this trade. He tells how Senior
Borges represents his people as extremely
anxious for closer commercial relations; that
they prefer our commodities and manufac
lures to those of Europe: that the Brazilian