The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-09-03
Alexandria, La.
Correspondence OF the HeraId.1

Decline of the Cotton lstrea Politics zrade
the Policy OF the Colon Grocers- The Sugar h
trest vice cusa---Frse Trade Representatives. in
Congress PIssidsney- Unpopularrty Of Yan
Buren-M Mode of Creating Public Semtimstnt-
Calhoun the Southern Favorite Tyler and
AhasSous-7ns Ladies.
q. BENNETT, Esq.:- vr
The various correspondents of your widely circu,
lated and valuable paper, have each dwelt with
commendabe praise upon his section OF country,
and furnished yeur numerous readers with des-
crpton OF disposition, and incidents Herewith that
could not fail to beget interest. Lest our section
should be overlooked, or not known, like amb-
ton has prompted TO put your readers in posses
sion OF similar matters concerning it, claiming
portion OF that regard from the reading public,
which each correspondent has so audaby bespoke n
Tor HIS IL 10 PROPER to observe the outset that
the Herald Is the crack paper here. The sprighili
It's fairness and candor, have an applause which
rival publications seek In vain 10 assai aud the
articles on trade and money matters display not
only zeal and Industry IN their compilation, but an
ablhiy rarely met with in treatses upon those sub
Jects Our section OF country is almost exclusively
agricultural, II being that portion OF Louisiana term
ed the aluvioDs ut Red River, which tor fertility OF
soil, cannot be surpassed by any part OF the South
west. Need ada that our choice staple Is cotton,
which s produced in great abundance, but which al
press mt, owing TO The low price caused by vexatous
tariff regulations and other causes, hardly enables
the planter 10 subslst, even with the most rigid eco
nOmy. Our little town is situated so favorably on
river accessible to steamboats, at all OF the
year, together with the industry of its citizens,
would advance with railroad speed to prosperity,
ii not tor the great decline in the price of
staple, which parayz every thing, and almost puts
a stop to the wheels OF business. The mischiefs OF
the 9th Congress are severely felt over the whole
cotton growing region, in imposing heayyduty upon
bagging and land other articles necessary In the
production and transmission OF cotton 10 market,
lnsomuch that the culture is rendered, on the score
OF profit, one OF extreme peril and hazard 10 the
planter. But notwithstanding these gloomy pros
poets, SO elastic are the energies OF our people, that
they look forward with hope to bright future,
when the evils OF vicious legislation will be de-
stroyed, and the enterprise OF the planter left un-
checked by any thing. save what occurs from una
vOidable causes. / should likewise have added,
hat the crop Of this year will be Short much shorter
than that OF previous years, in consequence OF the
unusually heavy rains the plant has had to contend
with ever since II has been planted up TO this time,
and the development of the blush is at least one
month later than ordinary seasons.
In politics general apathy has prevailed since
the July elections. Those elections revealed a
greater revolution OF public sentiment In louisiana,
than could have been anticipated from the charac-
ter ct the population, and the diversified interests Of
the State. The policy of the cotton section has al
ways been free trade, while that OF the sugar dis.
tricts has favored protective tariff in const quence
OF the shield il afforded to that interest against
WEST 1uuld competition. but the late clccuOnS
have returned an entire delegation to Congress,
pledged to the support OF free trade. The lnlquiy
OF the tariff SYSTEM and It's gross oppressions have
even disguised those interested in its support, and
the result OF the election has been alike credltable
to them and honorable to the Stale.
Attention seems now to be directed to the CON-
ing Presidential canvass. and consequently the
stir themselves with alacrity. A meeting was held
in this town in December last, which Is the first
move that has been made here 10 reference to the
Presidency The object Of the meeting, while it
was getting up, was understood to be for purposes
entirely local, and consequently there was but
mesgre attendance OF the populauon-there mol
being present exceeding fifty souls. out of par
ish embracing between and 500 voters; The
paucity Of persons present rendered it polite to
forego the purpose for which it was called but the
friends of Mr.. Van Buren, happening to have q
majority present and determining to take time by
the forelock turned the meeting into expression
OF preference tor him for the next Presidency, and
according to the true Van Buren, tactics, put it forth
with all due gravity and solemny, as the wish OF
the people. TINS meeting was noticed by the Even
ing Post OF your city, and exultingly proclaimed
an evidence of the popularity Of Mr.. Van Buren, in
the South. From these facts the Post can see
what slender materials it had to arrive at Mr.. Van
Buren.s Southern popularity. Mr. Van Buren, is
tanned him from the high and paramount principles
OF his party. which when elected he pledged to
carry ont, and not from any sympathy we had for
South he has always been in bad odor, from the
cold and remorseess system OF political tactics ne
has from early life not scrupled to employ. This
system resolves all the virtues OF political action
into the causes which affect the personal condition
OF the actors and without contemplating the grand
object OF the contest or its necessity, is satisfied
With the pillage the field OF battle presents, and
stops only to rob and despo the vanquished of his
armor. Under this system men are rewarded with
office, not in proportion to their ability TO serve the
country, but IN proportion TO the tact, fidelity, and
zeal used by them in promoting the fortunes OF the
successful aspirant According to this system, the
fortunate candidate when clothed with the seals of
Office, finds himself under large arrearages for parti.
Fan services, which he is under pledge, either ex-
press or implied. to discharge il is impossible tor
the good Of the country 10 be consulted in appoint.
menrs to office under this system, and deacations
and breaches Il trust to greater less extent must
inevitably prevail. II is PLAIN, therefore, with OBJ
jections so poientalto Mr. Van Buren,, he can have
| but few supporters amongst US. There are enough,
however, to make noise, and TO get up meetings in
| in the true Henry Horn style, in which fussy,
dgety, busy bodies, are ever ready to thrust them
selves forward, to the annoyance OF the quiet and
| unobtruslve, and render themselves conspicuous,
who wish TO do the thinking not only for themselves
but Tor all others, and whose vanity would be highly
atfered II they could be looked upon the patres
famIlle of the democratic party. From these par
| tial demonstrations OF public sentiment, called
town meetings. strangers and editors at distance
are often mlsled, forgetting that the OF the
people unaffected with the rage for office hunting,
are consequently at home attending to their honest
| pursuits.
In aooluoh 10 wnat mas Deen urged against Mr.
Van Buren, here, it is contended by his party that
he has already had enough of its favors, and that if
he is to be the recipient of still more, it would
| imply neglect of the claims of others upon
the party, whose services and devotion to it
| are as great as mis-, and W would thereby become
discontinued andqueruous Besides, if the lestors-
ton of democratic principles be 80 desirable, and
essential to the prosperity Of the country, that OBJ
Jec can be thus attained in the selection of cand
date, who has never suffered popular defeat, and
one around whom the elements of opposition will
have less nucleus to form. ! have thus presented
you with an epltome OF the objections entertained
by The democracy Of louisiana TO Mr.. Van Buren,
Mr. Calhoun is the great favorte OF this State,
and each returning sun seems TO bring him new
accession of proseytes, from the mass Of the quiet
and refiectlng portion OF the community. As to
without even corporal's guarc-none name HIM
but to laugh. ltreqnres no prophet 10 foresee that