The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-07
LECTURE OF L. u. REAVIS
THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMM ERCIAL
FUTURE OF THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE.

western demlBDneT6, drew laSt ntRDJ 10 Ouu
Follows Hall good audience, which included
n number Of prominent business mon Of the
city. @..5
He was listened to throughout with attention
and interest and that his effort was success
cannot be doubted.
The lecturer started out by saying that 1t
might be considered strange that he. n citizen
OF st. Louis, the future great manufacturing
emporium and food distributing centre OF the
Mississippi valley" should come to this city
to talk OF the commercial destiny OF the
Western hemisphere. He came. he said. because
as citizen of the great republic he knew no
North no South, no East, no West. but one
common and undivlsable country. and because
he believed that this city is the cradle Of our
future commercial supremacy. the prospective
exchange not merely of q continent. but Of the
whole civilized world"
He proposed to consider ut this eventfu time
the Industrial fnnd agricultural affairs Of the
United States and equatorial America as they
now present themselves and indicate the COM
mercial destiny which lies before the people Of
both continents; also to show the commercial
principles and Industrial interests which he
believed to be essential to the highest interests
OF all tho people.
He then, in further Introductory remarks OF
some length. dwet on the past and the great
ness to which this country had grown. and
then proceeded to the practical consideration of
his subject. which was embraced under three
hends-"Now" How" Then" Under the first
head he proposed he said. to treat Of the physi-
cal characteristics OF the Western hemis phere.
making also reference to the present condi-
ton OF the Industries and the commerce Of the
world and their relation to the Western hemi-
Tod l.r
proposed to indicate what should be the future
policy and efforts OF the people for reciprocal
and profitable trade: and under the head Of
Then" he would attempt to outline as clearly
as possible the probabilities and possibilities
OF the future.
He with this introduction Immediately pro-
ceeded to the consideration Of his subject.
He first spoke of the superior natural advan-
tages OF this hemisphere over those possessed
by the Eastern. The system Of inland water
navigation on this continent was unequaled on
the globe. He then took up each OF the great
rivers on this hemisphere and dwelt Mt length
upon the fertility of the soil the mineral wealth
and the climate Of the regions through which
they flowed.
isphere was Its mountain ranges. extending
from Patagonia to the confines of New Mexico.
which afford special facilities for railroad con-
seasons Of the year without subjecting the trav
sler to any OF the numerous diseases incl
dental to torTid zones and tropical climates
These were natural advantages which could not
be ignored.
Continuing he spoke Of the productive power
Of this country which made 1t the largest food
producing country In the world. But the people
must not rest satisfied with this being notably q
fact but must realize that If prosperity Is to be
looms, their spnCiles and their furnaces must
be- utilized In foreign trade equally with the
products of the soil, and the outcome Of their
Touring mills and packing houses.
He then dwelt ut length on the mineral re-
sources Of the country. the vast extent OF Its
cultivable land. and the, commerce of the peo-
from this country during the year ending
June, 1878. amounted to $3.50 2ss. and the most
important items We're agricultural implements
live stock corn, oats wheat, -four, cotton, copper
drugs. fnrs, gold and silver bullion. tallow, to-
He then referred to the triumph Of engineer
Ing skill dwelling on the lety improvements at
the mouth of the Mississippi, the railroad sys-
tom OF the country. foundries. rolling mills.
ship building yards and other vast Enterprises
He next spoke of our sister republic. Mexico.
dwelt at length and ID detail upon its industries
and resources and their bearing on and con-
nection with the commerce and prosperity Of
The other States and republics of this hemi-
sphere were then taken up and considered and
discussed separately as to their business and
social condition
He then took up the second division Of his
subject
HOW" .=@.-=
Among the necessities for continued and
future prosperity was education. Trade must
also be extended. India and China both offered
Commercial relations with Australia should
also be opened and their cordial invitation of
American competition with Great Britain for
their trade should be accepted. Our merchant
marine should also be fosterad and our ener-
Ries should be directed TO- the construction Of
| railroads. which would facilitate intercommunii-
| ,,nfff with tfnrafDn r trad la
does not assume the proportions it should.
| The construction of a canal across the 18TH
mus which connects the two continents would
have q good influence on the commerce and
trade Of the hemisphere He concluded his
| lecture as follows:
Il will turn now to the third and last phase of
| my subject. viz:
In which propose to sketch briefly the posi-
biities and probabilities of the future: and
| here | would address a few words to you who
are my audience here tonight, and who are.
doubtless, citizens Of this Southern metropo-
| is You, In common with many others in this
| republic, have doubtless experienced hours Of
depression during the past eyentful decade.
You have. | doubt not. felt that the glory was
Orleans Of the future would never compare
with the New Orleans Of the past, but am here
to- night to tell you In emphatic language that
there is future for New Orleans. brighter than
can be painted, or sung. have told you that
| there is destiny overshadowing this great
country. destiny Of promise; in that destiny
you must surely participate, because if our
! ideas OF a Republic are correct no member of
that body corporate can be aggrandized with
out others deriving some share of his great
ness; and even If 1t were possible for you to ar
rive at the sad conviction that you possessed no
inherent vitality, no recuperatve power. there
would still be another means Of aid. another
source from which to draw a new life Of I'M
falling strength and commercial greatness
great continental river. which will soon bear
upon its bosom to the gulf the surplus pro-
ducts ofthe people living upon more than 2,0oo..
900 square miles Of Its rich territory. you need
never despond. The people living upon the
upper waters of this great river will force upon
your city new destiny they will confer upon
your city power. and crown 1t with eterna
glory. They will enforce upon you authority
and put sceptre in your hands that you may
rule the commerce Of the seas and the tropics
They will enforce upon you and your genera
tons the authority to WELD the power once pos
sessed by the fair cities Of the Adriatic and the
Mediterranean. The proud honors won by tht
metropolis Of the Adriatic will be repeated here
the one the refined centre Of Eastern commerce
the other the chosen seat of q commercial CAPT
tai. destined to be erected in tho Wilds of this
Western Empire. New Orleans was yet un
known when
"Vapfoo cote IL, ato+a tLronnJ ~, n h-nJ 80