The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-04-14

In the New Orleans Democrat of late
date appears an editorial in reference e
the cesson Of what was known as Louisiana
some fourscore years ago, to the then infant
republic of the United States. II will be two
hun dred yesrs in April, 1882, since the Ms.
sissippi river was first discovered by the
European. and the germs Of the new civiliza
tion we're trsnsplanted upon its banks. II
Is related that the establishment Of its discov-
erer was extraordinary, and the mighty river
was recognized instantly as the Father OF
Waters. Imagine, however, if possible the
tumulluous thought which would crowd
upon the Sieur dc La sale if IL we're possible
for him to glide in the early fall of
1881, down the same wonderful stream
in one of the present pala;ial steamers. which
are everywhere seen on its bosom! From
the impossible wilds Of 1852 have now de-
veloped the most magnificent plantations,
the most picturesque country, the grsndest
territory under the Sun! The valley ofthe
Mississippi Is unques!onably the most fer.
tile and the most promising Of any section
of the civilized worlds valley whose pos
sibiities are infinite, and which will in the
natural order of things inevitably become
the most populous, wealthy, and powerful
country on Earth. Yet as great as II Isl
with its immense and astounding capabili.
ties twas obtained by the government Of the
Uaited States from the French government
fer the psltry sum of SIS, 900, 900.
II Is an old saying that it is an i'll wind that
blows nobody any good, and twas through a
seemingly causeless and niquitous quarrel
that the valley of the Mississippi was rams
ferred from the dominions of latin mon
arches to the greet Anglo'Americsn
republic. Napoleon, through his jealousy OF
England, his depressed treasury, the com.
plications Of bis home government, was only
too willing 10 get rid of his Louisiana
territory; being feartu, at the same time,
that the naval superiority of his great rival
might win from him this immense doma'n
before he could even attempt defense.
Accordingly the United States naturally
became its purchaser. II seemed at that
time very trivial circumstance, merely
transfer of swamps, and bayou, anC
river from one flag to another, but it is un-
disputed history now that the destiny Of the
world has been changed thereby. The ter
rltory comprised the states Of Louisiana,
Mississippi, Arkansas, Nebraska Missouri,
Iowa, part of Minnesota and Colorado, Kan
sas, Wyoming and Montana This section
under its present suspicious position as to
race and government, is destined to become
the granary of the world, thing which
would have been impossible under lat n
or aboriginal races, but its greatest signif
canoe will unsvoidably be one of political
character. The old federal idoa of contra'i.
cation, championed, together with the other
anti.democrstic ideas 30 far as their tendency
goes, by New England and the north, was grad
ually opposed and will inevitably DO con
quered by the empire-southern and western
with more progressive ideas, and more demo
cratic endencies-whch has grown up on
tho plains and the plantations of the
Louisiana purchase. The inevitable csnno,
DO stayed, and destiny, whether it be from
law or special provdences, must DO fulfilled
When IL shall become lied with the millions
Of the near future, and the ground shall DO
made 10 produce as it can-when water craft
and railroad shall ply in every locality and
assist in Transporting its riches to tho grost
depots of commerce, and the world turns
anxiously to it for It's daily bread, its cloth,
ing and its gold, then, and not
till then will DO realized in its mighty signif-
canoe the grandeur Of tho results which
lay concealed from human foresight in
the jealousy of Napoleon, when it dictstcd
the sale for SIG, 600, 900 of the territory of tho
Mississippi valley to the government OF tho
United States. 1t is lesson from Which tho
Importance of the seemingly trivial circuu-
stances OF history may DC learned, and
fact from which We of tho south can hope
for tho most onviable and pc Sorlul situation
both ply siaally and politically in tho cOmi !.
years.