Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-02-17
Closing the Lafourche.

We publish to-day, according to request, the
proceedings of the public meeting held at Napo-
leonville. The editor of the Donaldsonvile Coast
Journal in publishing the proceedings makes use Of
the following remarks:
The attempt to close in this summary manner
one Of the mouths, large and important OF the
Mississippi, took the good people of Assumption
entirely by surprise. We are indebted for this
original, and astounding move, to Mr.. kittredge OF
Assumption"
If the people Of Assumption were taken by sur
prise, the people of Lafourche were not, for the
closing of the Bayou, and the intention OF Senator
Kittredge to introduce bill for that purpose were
publicly talked about here previous to the intro
duction Of the bill in the Senate. 1t is very SIN
gular that the origin of this move should De at'r'-
buted to DR.. Kittredge, for the closing OF the La
fourche has been discussed for years, and probably
before the worthy president Of the NapoleonVhle
meetiope was citizen Of the United States. 1t
was hoped by many that the breakwater which
was constructed at Donaldsoyille some years ago,
would have succeeded in stopping it; and the real
object of having placed it there, was to effect this
purpose, But it was found to be unsuccessful.
Some of the wisest statesmen Of Louisiana have
for years favored the closing Of the Bayou. Many
reasons can be adduced in favor Of the proposition,
and not one solid reasonable one against it.
The second resolution adopted by the meeting
AYERS that it is not within the power Of the Legis
lature Of the State to authorize its being closed
This, to say the least, is very broad assertion,
and it requires profound knowledge Of law to be
able to advance an opinion on such subject
Whatever may be the law, it is no less fact, that
the Legislature of Louisiana has several times
exercised the power, and closed bayous and water
courses without any interference by the General
Government. And although the State could not
if the National Government chose to interfere and
oppose, stop the Bayou, still SO long as the superior
power does not interfere, nor actively use its au-
thority, a State may exercise its sovereignty in
doing that which it conceves is for its best inter-
ests. We are informed, from very good authority,
that this principle has been decided by the Supreme
Court Of the United States.
The editor further says in his predatory remarks
to this document: "We hope that this worthy
senator will upon the next occasion be so consi-
derate, as to wait for the wagon" But if this
advice was correct, what would have become of all
the great efforts of enlightened statesmen whose
foresight has SO greatly benefited our country,
making it second to none on the face Of the globe
in internal improvements? When Dewitt Clinton
projected the great Erie Canal, in New York, many
years ago, he was accused Of being almost insane.
But the result of his great scheme has proved his
foresight and wisdom, and he is now revereRced as
the greatest benehctor of his day, and caused his
native State to stand at the head of the American
Confederacy, and her chief city, has become the
London Of the western world
1t requires bold and patriotic spirit to oppose
the prejudices Of the people, and we think that
whether DR.. Kittredge is right or wrong, his adj
vocacy Of this bill, against the wishes Of many in
Assumption, showes that be is influenced by a
desire to benefit the people, and he will yet be
lauded, for his endeavoring to secure great ult-
innate good, by many who now oppose it. We
find this measure of DR.. Kittredge sustained by a
very able Civil Engineer, Mr.. G. W. R. BAYLEY,
of the n O., o. and G. w. Railroad, who for near
sixteen years has been employed on Railroads. and
was formerly Assistant State Engineer, during the
administration Of Gov. Walker. Vide his letter on
the Mississippi and Lofourche Railroad" in an
other portion Of to-day's paper.