Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-07-13
PLAQUEMINE:
SATURDAY, JULY l3, 1850.
TFor the Sentinel.1

OROSSE 4ETE, july o, 1ooV.
Mr.. Edtor-I have never seen any commu-
nication from these parts, in your paper, and
as know Of no good reason why the world
should not hear from US occasionally, have
availed myself of the present opportunity to
drop you few lines. We have here an open,
beautiful and fertile country, appropriated al
most exclusively to the growth Of cane. Our
lands lay as favorably for cultivation as do those
on the Mississippi river, and are considered by
US preferable to them, on account of their COM
parative freshness and exemption from over
flow. 1t is true, we have suffe red some from
high water; but when we consider that some
half dozen crevasses, including Grand Levee,
have been constantly pouring their waters upon
US, that the worst has come to the worst, and
that still our main growing interest is entirely
uninjured, we cannot but feel assured that the
value of our lands has been very immaterially
impaired. But, besides these advantages, we
have another Of scarcely less yalue-I mean
our freedom from the constant construction and
reparation Of levees, so oppressive to the coast
planters. True, we require levees, but when
once substantially made, they are there forever.
We have no caving banks, no such wild, fari-
GUS and ungovernable stream to contend with,
as the Mississippi river. But we have, also,
our disadvantages, tho chief of which is, our
having no constant communication with the
city and upper country. This, however, ap-
pears to me of minor Importance. We have
regular steam communication with the city for
five months in the year, which is sufficient for
all utilitarian purposes. Now, then, is it not
justly matter of astonishment, that, although
our lands here are so per cent. cheaper, fresher,
and freer from overflow, and that onerous leyee
taxation, people still should have such ham
kering after coast lands! But will not annoy
you any longer with such reflections as these
let me turn to other subjects.
Several of our families have departed for the
North, their absence creating quite void in
our social circle. But ever true to their Crosse
Tete character, those who are left have deter
mined to give "no hour to gloomy melancholy"
On the 4th, we had quite a celebration here,
commemorative of the glorious 4th Of July,
l776. The day was bright and sunny, with
pleasant breeze in the shade. Owing 10 the i'll
condition of our roads, the citizens were very
late in assembling. At halfpast one o'clock,
they were drawn together in the school-house,
an airy and comfortable building, where, after
the reading of the Declaration Of Independence,
they listened, with repeated applause, to spir-
tied and patriotic address by T. B. Buckley,
ESQ., The house was comfortably filed.
bright galaxy Of the fairer half Of our bayou
occupying the front seats. Woman is always
charming, but never more 80 than when her
brow lights up, and her bosom swells with
emotions Of patriotism. The interest which
they evinced on this occasion, and the favoring
smiles with which they looked upon US, con-
tsibuted greatly to the spirit and exhilestion Of
the day.
Afler few appropriate preliminary observa-
tions, the talented orator entered upon the sub
iect proper of his discourse. Glancing back,
- far as profane history carries us, he illus
trated, in the rise, decline and fall, Of the most
prominent governments and empires, the pro-
gress Of the spirit Of liberty. Tracing that
spirit up, in all her developments, through the
dynasties Of Assyria, Greece, Rome,
lnd through Rome, Of al Europe, he followed
her until, weary with fight, she perched upon
he bleak rocks Of New England. With the
most natural transition, he then passed to the
natural condition Of the colonies, their oppres-
sions and suffsriDgs. After commenting with
yreat emphasis upon the tyrannies Of the mother
country, he described in glowing colors the "a
id growth Of infant America into athletic man
,ood; and then wound up in quite an enrsp
uring strain upon the prospects Of her great
'nd high destiny, with which tho prolonged
hsess.of The audience attsstsd their utmost
atisfhetion. I'D
Ths esatorieal szsrcisss u To day bsing !