Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-08-15
From the True Delta.1
RESOURCES OF LOUISIANA.
40 be- Developed by observation-disclosures
CiafiOmR.


ciatiOmss
Has it ever been brought home to the atten-
ton of the people of Louisianathat they can Law
the northern portion Of the Republic under
contribution to them, instead ofbeing regularly
drained of their resources to promote the pros,
perity of its free industry? If nature had de.
signed to create a spot which should be capa>
BILE OF producing all that comfort and luxurious
taste require, she could not have combined
more advantage in soil, climate or position
than are enjoyed by a large portion of the peo-
pie of Louisiana.
Winter scarcely interrupts the gardener, or
arrest the blooming of our magnificent Flora.
"A succession of fruits and flowers of vegeta-
bles and grains, of crops that enrich the pro-
Queer and are the foundation of manufacturing
industry, here follow each other during each
annual revolution of the earth around the
great centre of light and heat. We alone are
IN fault that Louisiana is not garden. spot of
heauty--that her industry does not crowd the
markets OF our great cities, instead of the pro-
ducts OF every cline finding their way here to
our wants.
A potatoe crop in April would be more pro.
htable than cotton culture. We can SUNNY
half the continent with this necessary yeGeta-
bic, fresh from the fields, for four months in
the year almost without a competitor. (nr
fruit will soon be sold West and East while
blooms are yet on the trees of those sections
of our country.
The Agricultural Association of Louisiana
is even now awakening public attention to the
vast advantages we possess that have never
been improved. Just in its infancy, it begins
to attract the attention of enterprise not only
in this city and contiguous parishes, but in
distant States. From abroad come CHEERING
notes of encouragement, and suggestions of
what we are capable of and are called upon to
achieve.
The importance Of agricultural and Mechans
ical Unions cannot be too strongly or too per-
s~istentIy urged. All around US lie the sources
of wealth and power. It is only necessary to
stimulate the public to action by a rehearsal of
facts-to encourage first efforts by popular APP
preeiation-to awaken a new spirit of enter.
prise by the union of industrial classes-and
Louisiana will take rank as second to no cons
monwealth in the world.
Let the merchant lend bis aid to the moves
ment now in progress, for it will build up his
business with astonishing rapidly. Let the
mechanic give his energies to the cause, for it
will elevate and enrich his class by making US
depend upon home skill. There is nothing
quixotic or absurd in these assertions. Lum.
Der cut and sawed at Summit is now shipped
from New Orleans to Cincinnati. Potatoes
from the neighborhood of the Jackson Rail-
road have been proftably sent to the markets
Of Kansas. Wheat from northern Louisiana
was first this season in the market of st. Louis.
Our capacity of production is unlimited. Our
means OF manufacturing are unsurpassed. All
that is wanting is the right direction of the
public mind.
The Agricultural and Mechanical Associa4
tinn Of Louisiana will give this direction. It is
q movement which no true Louisianian can
oppose. The first fair held in this neiohbor~
hood will doubtless excite the whole State to
unexampled progress. Georgia presents an
example of the power and benefit of such an
organization. Her first fair was held in a
grove near Stone Mountain, and the only afti.
cles exhibited were a jack and a iennet and
their groom. Now her annual fairs are OBJ
jerts of competition by populous cities, and
thousands of articles fill the capacious halls
devoted to the purposes of the fair. The en-
terprlse of the whole State is aroused: and in
scientific modes Of culture-in variety of pros
duction-ln extern of manufactures-in gems
eral prosperity, and the magnitude of works of
public Improvements, that State is scarcely
surpassed by any inthe Union.
Here is the proof If the wisdom and patrio-
tism, as well as advantage 10 individual inte-
rests of agricultural and mechanics ~associa.
tons. Here is a SAMPLE of what is destined to
be wrought out in louisiana, if men of all
classes give their aid md cooperation by bee
coming members and contributing pecuniary
strength to the movement.
1t appeals to men O all caIlings. It will
improve the business Interests of all by pros
noting the prosperity ofihe State at large
As a medium of Souther, union these associa-
tons are of great importance and at the present
moment should attract tn. attention and enlist
! the enthusiasm Of all to secure this much de-
sired result.