Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-02-18
THIBODAUX LOUISIANA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 49, 1884,
Correspondence.
PLAouEM1NE, Feb. 9Th, Is

fLAQUEMINE, EeD CCn, 1oO4.
Dear Minerva: I'VE are now in Plaquemine,
arrived here on Sunday evening last on board
the Bella Donna 1t is with feelings ofno small
degree Of pleasure we have embraced this op-
portunity of mentioning the very cordial and
generous and no less liberal and courteous re-
ception We met with in this thriving and beau
tiful embryo city. It is useless for me to offer
you description Of it, rs you have been in it
yourself; but Of its inhabitants-some of them at
least-we will speak in terms which they most
richly merit. The first person We will force
upon your attention, shall be the editor Of the
Iberville Gazette, q gentleman who belongs to
"the first water" of this place, and deservedly
too. The position he occupies in this community,
is peculiar, and equally useful one. He is for
all the world like my peculiar friend, Hon. j..
G.. White. Without the latter in Thibodaux,
there would be void; without the former in
Plaquemine, there would be no less q vacuum.
Circumstances seem to place the gentleman in
question, in every useful attitude; his labor is
great, and his labors multiform but the re-
venue therefrom, is infntissimal, compared with
the magnitude of his services, which are truly
valuable. Begging your pardon for this digres-
sion, allow me to proceed. Mr.. Jennings has
been editing q paper in this town, for quite a
series of years; hitherto his prospects have been
less brilliant than they now are, owing to things
tending to embarrass the proper dissemination of
his paper. These unpleasant and equally un-
governable things, inseparable from . straight
forward, sturdy and answering course of hon
orable endeavor to do good as an editor, no
longer exist. The Gazette is daily on the up
ward march to that height it so earnestly seeks,
and which it SO proudly claims. And until it
gains its proper maximum, no effort on the part
of its conductor shall flag.
We spoke of Mr.. Jennings resembling you;
in some respects, he does, in others, he does
not. Physically, there is no possible similarity
as you lay claim to . larger degree of good
looks than any other editor, probably now ex-
tant, while Mr.. ]. on the other hand, exhibits
more profound degree of sublimate ugliness,
than characterizes any man Of modern times.
Prentice, of Kentucky, has the arrogance to boast
of his superior ugliness over Greedy of the Tri-
bune, and Bennett of the Herald, for so long
time, that it has become conceded to him at last
that he is correct: in consequence of which,
Bennett wishes to retire from the profession.
But Prentice would yield instantly to the superior
claims Of Jennings could he cnlysee him. should
the Incompatible ugliness Of Mr.. Jennings ever
assume an intropulsive motion, it will surely
give rise to disease Is yet unclassi6ed by the
followers of Therapia. 5s.'.i,
The breaking Of the Levee in this neighbor-
hood sometime since, and the consequent de-
structive inundation, is supposed by some to
have taken place Immediately after Mr.. J. pas
sing the place where the break ensued-though
this has never been authenticated But that
strangers, perfectly sober, on first seeing him,
have been scared into spasms of delirium tre-
mens is beyond question. Let us mutually beg
for the ultimate success and prosperity Of this
very generous and useful man, and the final and
full recovery of his very amiable, though deeply
afflicted wife. You sir, are most poignantly and
sensibly alive to the disastrous consequence
unmitigated evils-the heartfelt sorrowings-.
regrets hopes fears all Of which arise in the
bosom Of generous man, when remorseless
disease lays its withering hand upon fond wife
and no less fond mother.
There are three churches in this place,
Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian. The
first has by far the largest congregation, and
the brotherhood Of that church are. We are in
formed, trying to erect College under the
auspices Of the Jesuitic fraternity.
The Protestant churches have not as yet,
gained that force here which their laudable ef
forts are trying to effect; but they are both in
. very prosperous condition, and though limited
in point Of numbers Of commandments, they are
highly respectable. w 80. s.s.s
..f Now and always your most respectful,
s. d. McKINLEY