The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-20


A merchant who has recently arrived in
this city from New Orleans, gives most
doleful description of the condition of af-
fairs 10 the Crescent City-such descrip
ton as might 60 far to justify the byperbol>
ical figure OF the Picoyune, that the indus
trious owner of sharp scythe could do a
good stroke of business by moving the
grass in the streets. With all the bravery
which Sou hern people assume to possess,
the citizens of the great mart of commerce
on the Mississippi are all the time possessed
with the alarming idea that the Federal
fleet is about to pounce upon them, blow
up their strong places, occupy the city in
force, and commit all sorts of atrocities and
| depredations upon them. A demonstration
OF that kind is their fear by day and their
| dream by night. Unfortunately, up to this
time they have been exposed to disappoiut-
ment. Probably when General Butler
and Commodore Stringham return from
their Northern trip and resume their COM
| mands, they may be induced to honor New
Orleans with a call similar to that which
they made at Hatteras last week. 1t would
be charity to do so, and to relieve the
mercantile community of that city from the
ruinous stagnation which rebel fire eaters
have brought upon them.
| 1t seems that while some hope for, others
dread, this visitation. These people have
been so long accustomed to self deception
that they cannot realize that one of the first
results that will follow our occupation of
New Orleans, will be to throw open the
port once more to legitimate commerce, and
to protect good citizens in their rights. The
ISLANDERS of Beauregard and Polk upon the
army of the Union are swallowed in New
Orleans, as well as every where else through
the South, and "booty and beauty" are be.
lieved to be the main objects of all who
are armed for the maintenance of the Ma
tional Government The idea of an attack
upon the city produces, therefore, the Wild
est state of excitement. The apprehension
of this is the more lively, because it seems
to be admitted that there is nothing to pre-.
vent strong naval expedition ascending
the Mississippi to the very levee at New
Orleans, and of course they look for moth
ing less than bombardment.
1t appears that the Confederate govern
ment does not keep any portion OF its army
there, and that the citizens have to look at
ter their own defence in case of an attack
upon the city. A couple OF months since
q roster was made of all who were capable
of bearing arms, and it was found that they
could raise, at least on paper, about twenty
thousand men. But that did not restore
confidence. A night attack from the fleet
was expected, and it was provided that an
alarm of twelve strokes on the bell should
be the signal for every man to be at bis
post. The inhabitants go to bed every night
fully expecting to hear before morning that
ominous signal
A ludicrous story is told of a merchant
who having retired with his mind full OF
that terrifying idea, was awakened in the
middle OF the night by severe thunder
storm. Confounding the artillery of heaven
with the sixty-four Founders of our men of
war. he made up bis mind that the bom>
bardment had come at last, and that it was
time to seek place of safety. Making a
rush for the staircase, he came in collision
with door which was ajar, and the conse-
| quence was a terrible smash of his nose.
| Shreking with pain and terror, the whole
household was soon around him, and when
| eOS SSNeS VI uic ulkut UCCdulC hu0Wu, LUG
| ludlorops feature of his mishap was too
much tor their good nature. His mortifca-
ton led him next day to recant his Union
sentiments and to march straightway into
| the ranks OF the rebels.
The prostration of business in New Or
leans is said to be complete, and the most
saddening gloom broods over that once
thriving seat of commerce. The collection
of rents, whether of stores or dwellings may
be said to be entirely abandoned. As a
general thing, the people have not the
means OF paying rent, and th use who have
the means prefer not to pay, finding it quite
as convenient to denounce the owners who
attempt to collect their rents to the Com
mittee OF Safety, as abolitionists in dis.
guise.
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer eth
We last night paid visit to gentleman
who has just arrived here from Charleston,
South Carolina, but who has also visited
several other Southern cities. In what
manner he reached here it is unnecessary to
state. twill be sufficient when we remark
that he is well known citizen, whose name
is above reproach. In Charleston every
male person over fourteen and under sixty,
is drilled daily, except four persons, the