The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-03-11
ORLEANS, MONDAY MARCH H. 1873.

ject Of controversy, and it's opponent is gen.
tieman whose opinions and position are enti-
tied to SO much respect and consideration
ever disagreeable It may be, to protest
against the views expressed by Mr. Mitchell.
He is an ardent student and enthusiastic adj
mirer OF the science OF political economy. but
we fear. like most votaries OF a. speciality,
where theoretically they seem admissible, but
practically are ,utopian. It is not our pur-
pose to argue the points Mr. Mitchell raises,
fortified by .abstruse principles OF o science
he is probably better versed in than any one
OF our acquaintance, for, were we equal to the
In dealing with Il subject that OF all others
seems to us wholly n practical one, that the
emergency and vital necessity OF our situa-
tiOn compels immediate action on.
While We do believe that the investment In
both the bonds and stock of this road will
prove remunerative to private subscribers,
and that it's earnings will be more than ade-
quate for the protection of the State for the
aid asked from her, we assume il no returns
were ever made for capital supplied, the re-
would be perfectly satisfied il they only
reaped the benefit Of the connection proposed.
Our State now gaSpS from prOstration pro-
duced by the more active energy and bold
ness OF competitors, who have wrested from
her the tribute p due to us by contiguty with
with ours. Yet, While with GENEROUS nt psTas pa.
tience they have waited on us, and appealed
for connection that would renew our ancient
familiar intercourse, with an apathy that is
astounding we have failed to respond, leaving
them to the necessity of dealing with us under
difficulties and obstacles that have already
diverted much of their valuable trade into
chahnels easier OF access and cheaper by COM
petition than what we can offer The State is
fainfiuU and her nnlGN hputc low heeuuca tyo
have not the nerve to open the avenue from
whence the winds OF prosperity would rean-
innate her wasted strength.
1t may do very well for our Rip Van
Wrinkles to prate of natural advantages and to
question the necessity and benefits of rail-
ways; they are worthy compeers OF the wag-
oner who appealed to Hercules, and it is well
to remind them that those who call for help
must help themselves. To q great extent the
splendid natural advantages we possess have
been used to our detriment in delaying enter
prise and improvements, that the rivalshp of
our neighbors necessitated. Our anti-railroad
men seem akin to those who prosecuted Gal
lileo and shut their eyes to the truth that the
world does move. Had our rivals been i'm
bued with the same contented spirit mayhap
we could have supinely relied on our natural
but the spirit OF enterprise. ex-
cept in our own borders, has been aroused
and a contest is being waged for commercial
supremacy that we dare not avoid without
every hope of retrieving our
fallen fortunes and restoring prosperity.
Our intercourse with Texas now mainly de-
pends upon the facilities afforded by Mr.
Morgan, or the uncertain competition offered
when Red river is at a stage that affords cir
cuitous and tedious transportation. The en-
terprisc OF st. Louis has opened up expedi-
tious and easy access, and inducements thus
afforded have already been greatly detrimen-
tai to our interests, while the longer they are
unopposed the stronger will they become.