Speech #430064458

Mention has been made of the importance to the city of New Orleans of opening the mouth of the Mississippi River. lam as anxious for the prosperity of the city of New Orleans. for it to be a thrifty and prosperous city. as any man upon this floor. I have seen that city in its palny (lays. when its people were successful and thrifty. when prosperity was theirs. the same as it was of the rest of the country. And I can very readily understand that if the Mississippi River is so improved that seagoing vessels front the entire world can go up to New Orleans. not only will the vast importations needed for the valley be brought there upon those ships. but they will he laden with immigrants seeking homes in this country. And if there is anything that the South needs today it is population and general prosperity. ahd if vessels can freely go up that river with immigrants. thoy willbe very much more likely to settle and make their homes in the South than now when they land almost exclusively iii northern ports. I hope as many immigrants will continue to land at northern ports -as heretofore. for I have no sectional jealousy. I believe thopopulation of the country will gradually aud rapidly increase. I would like to see immigrants come to our northern and southern ports. and our whole country densely populated. Then the Southern States instead of having $150.000.000 worth of cotton to export each year. will have $400.000.000 woith. And in that way we would not only be rendering a great benefit to the people of this portiot of our country. but to the entire country. by the increased production of an article that goes largely abroad. and that would create a large trade balance in our favor.