The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-19
ST. LOUIS FOREIGN TRADE, VIA NEW
ORLEANS.

Register contains an article which, In the
main, presents just and sensible view of the
commercial Importance Of the Southwest, and
Of New Orleans as the grand shipping point
for the grain grown In the Northwest and des
tined for expectation to Europe. This arti-
Gle Is remarkably fair and liberal, consider
ing that it emanates from paper in New
York, the Journals Of which city having gen.
orally treated the subject Of expectation of
grain by way of New Orleans ia a most ilib-
eral and contemptuous manner, often display
Ing petty spite and narrow prejudice which
could hardly be expected from the organs OF
the great metropolis Of America:
The immense yield Of grain this year has at
| tracted universal attention to our North
| western States. That section of the country
| Ia considered one of the main supports OF our
export trade. The facts regarding it warrant
| all commentators III its favor. The advAn-
tages of that section are not even fully appre-
clated Yet while this is most satisfactory, it
| should not be forgotten that Utter sections ct
| the country possess advantages, which II well
| managed. will make them equally as impor-
4 tant factors In our foreign trade. There iS q
great Southwest Of which little is heard at
prt sent. Its advantages have been ably set
forth by thep press OF that quarter, but there
| is not that general appreciation OF 1t which Is
| expressed for the Northwest. Yet there is o
territory, which ii settled by Industrious i'm
migrants and developed by capital would re-
turn immense profits. There are large tracts
| of excellent fertile land, which can be easily
| cultivated, the resources OF the country are
| rich and varied ami the climate Is healthy.
| The productions OF this quarter are already
great, its manufactures are large and are In
CT asing. But there have been many draw
backs to the proper development OF the
! Southwest, and these mainly OF O. political
character. The country Is cursed with. too
much politics. The older and more orderly
communities have managed to withstand
some ri these evils, but the Southwest has
has been subverted by the political. Politi-
clans have excited and kept alive sentiments
which have not only prevented the tnhabi-
tantS from endeavOring to improve their con-
dition. but which have also deferred outsld-
ers from making ventures In that section.
| There is, however, q change fo1 the better.
| More determination is evinced there to in
crease and encourage trade. The Southwest
will, If the effort continues, assume more
prominent position in the material progress
Of this country and will become of even more
importance than the Northwest. It's re-
sources are greater, and it will yield abund-
antly to well directed enterprise. The trade
there now, large as 1t Is, is small compared to
what 1t can be made and the exports thence
show an increasing prosperity.
st. Louis, the distributing centre OF this dis
trict, commands Its trade. That city Is to the
Southwest what New York Is to the whole
cannot be fully estimated because it does not
flow in its proper channel but Is lost in the
many streams which flow into the Eastern
seaports. New Orleans is naturally the sea-
port of the Southwest, and the foreign trade
Of st. Louis should pass through New Orleans
There can be no disguise OF the fact that
our trade centres are increasing and that
this gives Increased Importance to the small.
) er ports. Circumstances have prevented
for time full realization Of thfs, and an
active and bitter competition has given to
four ports OF the country almost the con-
troll Of our export trade. This competition
some OF the competitors In time, and those
who are left will not control the trade for
which they are now fighting. This compete
ton ignores natural laws which cannot be
violated with impunity. The area OF our
producing territory Is constantly extending.
These new fields will be further and further
from the Eastern ports and they will want
markets and seaports which are nearer. The
increasing trade Of the Southwest Is seeking
, foreign markets. and the cheapest route must
therefore be followed. For that section Of
the country this route is by way Of New Or
leans, and II there Is the least increased dew
elopment of the Southwest, a foreign trade OF
great value must therefore pass over the MIS-
sissippi route.
There are some obstacles in the way Of a
New Orleans route, but as these can be re.
csoved, they should receive immediate con,
sideration. The quarantine, regulations OF
They place too great restrictions upon com
merce They create an element OF uncer-
tainty which frightens away a new trade
While vessels from Liverpool would meet
with little trouble, vessels with coffee from
Rio Janeiro seeking a grain cargo for the
Baltic would, during q part of the year, be
shut out from the trade. The situation OF the
city may be such as to make it unhealthy anc
thus prevent any great growth OF its trade
But we do not believe this. 1t is situated
naturally to command large trade, ane
under proper sanitary precautions IL
can be made healthy port. Honesty and in
telligence in the administration OF it:
affairs and close regard for the comm ercia
psrity and remove any necessity for a pro
hibitory quarantine. Ii the present quaran
tine regulations are to be retained IN the e ~
ture New Orleans vii assaredly cease to
: be driven thence, and st. Louis will have t
> seek seaport elsewhere. Another obstaei
9 is the lack Of sufficient transportation faclll
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