Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-05-15
West Baton Rouge.

There seems to be a warm and active feeling
of public enterprise, and a bright era of energy
and acts, about dawning upon our sister parish
of West Baton Rouge. This is evidenced in
a great measure by their zeal with respect to
their political interests, as partially exemplifed
by the proceedings in another column; but
most particularly apparent in the energy lately
exhibited in raising means to carry through
successfully o work of vast Importance to
that parish. We allude to the Crosse Tete
Road. A meeting upon this subject was held
a few days since, and we understand that the
| sum of $4,000 will be subscribed to have the
road come out upon the Mississippi at the
point designated as the "Grosse T&te Landing"
in the proceedings we publish today. We
have said all that we could honestly, and in
duty bound, to avert such an evil to our parish.
But our loss, in n commercial point of view,
will be but trifing compared to that which will
accrue to the town of Baton Rouge, in conse-
quence of this public highway alluded to-. Are
the citizens of the capitol SO short sighted as
to believe that their talented, industrious and
hi~gh-spirited neighbors on the opposite side of
the river are ever to be dependent upon them
for all their commercial requirements, as well
as for their social happiness, and for many mi
nor details which are auxiliaries to comfortable
independence? Should this road be carried
through as contemplated, there is no doubt
that a town will be laid out forthwith at the
point where it intersects the Mississippi; and
there is equal certainty that it will grow with
surprising rapidly. Afne, populous and we'll
cultivated back country, is the very essence Of
a towns prosperity on the Mississippi; and
where is there any rear district which can COM
pare with Crosse Tete and the Ma%rangouin,
both as regards the value of the lands, and the
wealth and prosperity of the inhabitants? For
a few years, perhaps, and at the most, the town
of Baton Rouge will doubtless be benefited
through the construction of the Crosse Tete
Road, but it will most certainly in the end prove
a ' work of the most dire consequences to her
prosperity: mark it. 1t will take from her in
a very short time, (Which probably never could
have occurred if such road were not establish
ed,) the entire trade, patronage, &C., which she
now receives from West Baton Rouge, and
is necessary to her very existence. De-
pend upon it, the citizens of the capitol will
day bear evidence to the truth of our re-
marks, if the road is completed.
We misunderstood the character of the citi.
zens of West Baton Rouge, if they are want
ng in talent, energy and public spirit to carry
out successfully any great destiny which opens
70 them through the advent of any fortuitous
Among those who are men,
Toned in the proceedings which we publish to-
lay, we find ourself personally acquainted with
many who are gifted with fine abilities for ac-
i've work in the progress and prosperity of a
,arish or a State; and particularly does one
lame come fresh with the recollections of our
,arliest years-which has been honored by
high trusts in two States, and which has ever
'cen ranked among the proudest and brightest
n acts of great public utility and advancement.
While we certainly feel chagrined at the
oss which, it seems, will accrue to Iberville
trough the enterprise of the northern arm of
his Senatorial District, we cannot, neverthe-
ess, do otherwise than wish its citizens q bright
nd prosperous future.