The New York herald., 1878-12-16

Woulu nave seemed aDomlnaDle even IN tne
Middle Ages. And what assurance is there
that the majority Of such institutions in the
United States are not equally bad? Let
humane citizens investigate for themselves.
American Enterprise i'm Brazil.
Tho surprising progress made in the
United States within century and not
withstanding the retarding influences of
three great wars, to say nothing Of others
incidental to the development and opening
up Of an enormous territory, proves be-
yond question that the American people
are possessed of spirit OF enterprise that
conquers every difficulty. Failure has long
ago ceased to be regarded as among the
possibilities when scheme worthy Of the
age is suggested and undertaken. If any
doubts can be raised on this point they are at
once dispelled by study of the history Of
American enterprise not only at home, but
abroad for the sphere Of our activity has
been widened to the limits of the earth, and
the American has become true cosmopoli-
tan in his competition with other nationali-
ties for carrying out the great works that
mark the material progress Of the century.
But if the American excels in any degree
it is in the construction of railroads on the
gigantic scale that traverses continents and
connects distant oceans with the iron
bonds that emancipate peoples, but
hold the treasures of the boundlcss
forest and fertile plain within the grasp Of
man and give him control of the in
I n - l..
in the bowels Of the great mountains. Our
own continent is traversed by such roads,
contructed in the face of extraordinary diff
ficulties and in manner that has chal-
lenged the admiration of the world. In
other countries also the work Of develop
ment proceeds apace under the same in
luences that have conquered success in
ours, and it is matter OF which we may be
Justly proud that American enterprise pur-
sues its triumphant course even in the
forest depths Of tropical Brazil, under the
shadows Of the Andes.
The interior Of the continent Of South
America, penetrated as it is by mighty lines
of navigation, presents to the mind field
whereon the greatest triumph of engineer
ing enterprise in the United States may be
initiated if not excelled. There can be
found unlimited space and fertility for the
agriculturist where climatic range favors
the cultivation Of every product of the tor
rid and temperate zones: great, navigable
rivers, the Mississippis and Missouris of
the South, leading out toward the markets
Of the world; stupendous barriers of
mountains, that regulate the rain
fall and render it unfailing in vol
ume, while they protect vast territory
against the blighting changes of tempera-
ture that would otherwise occur. These
advantages, with others in the shape Of
mineral resources, so great as TO be beyond
estimate, form the foundation of the pro-
ject for uniting Bolivia with Brazil by the
Madeira and Mamore Railroad, which is
being pushed to a successful completion,
under the direction Of Colonel George E.
Church, Of New York, by the Messrs. Collins,
contractors, of Philadelphia. As the success
realized by this characteristic American
enterprise must rebound to the CONNER
cial advantage Of the United States, as
well as to the credit Of our people
for skill and courage in combating
great physical difficulties, much interest at
taches to the progress made. One thousand
men are now busy on the line, and material
for over fifty miles is lying at the northern
terminus of the road. The worst part of the
line is the first three miles but even in last
July q locomotive was running on this Sec
tion and considerable length Of finished
track has been added to it since then. A
large force Of native laborers has been en-
gagged on the twelfth mile Of the road, who
are we'll fed, contented and in excellent
health. A feature of this successful
American enterprise is that it has aroused
fierce jealousy in England, where it is
recognized as the work of q commercial
rival, and therefore worthy of the most
persistent opposition. Fortunately, how
ever, large trust fund, deposited by the
company and amounting to four million
vocable DEGREES Of the British Court Of
Chancery to be available for the payment of
the contractors certificates, and places the
Madeira and MamorG Company above the
reach of the wreckers in England, who
would gladly ruin it. To the indefatigable
energy of Colonel Church and the business
| ability and pluck Of the Messrs Collins are
due the success that has attended this grand
scheme for developing the resources of
Brazil and Bolivia.
An Afghan on the English.
Tiger hunting, as we are assured on trust