The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-08-26
THE CONDITION OF LOUISIANA.

A letter to the New York Times, from
New Orleans, says that Port Hudson is
now occupied by negro troops. Speak
ing of the condition of things in Louis
lana, the writer says:
There is vast difference in the character
of the country lying above Baton Rouge and
that below. Above they have been search
ing for their "rights" by erecting batteries
and firing at steamers from every bend in the
river. The result OF their search is, that
where once were towns and princely dwell
ing-h0uses there is to-day nothing but
gloomy chimneys and desOlation; where
once were prosperous communities anu hap
py families, there are now only ruin, deser-
tion and houselees yagabOnds.
Below Baton Rouge the chivalry have not
been SO vigorously in search OF their ''rights,"
and in consequence both banks of the river
are continued SUGGESTIONS Of pictures OF
wealth, quiet, refinement, and happiness
Not single feature Of destruction mars the
view, save at DOnaldsonyille; here few gen
tlemen took their rifles and endeayored to
find their rights" by sending a few vollies
into some passing vessels. Ihey got theif
"rights" in-the shape Of q few negro regi-
ments now encampcd there, and they will
for long time be enabled to remember the
results OF their adventure by the scorchcd
chimneys which mark where once stood their
beautiful town.
One would scarcely think as he passes
down from Baton Rouge that bloody war
is convulsing the country. Steam issues
from the mills, smoke from the chlmneys OF
the planters houses and the negro quarters,
green oceans of sugar-cane are rippled 10y the
cool breczes Of the Cult, the sOng OF the ne
gro is borne through the stiffness oi the
nigbt-everywhere in short, are evidences
of prosperity and quiet. There is bat one
feature that shows differently from that OF
old. There is evidently j sullen censtraint
among the residents; they do not sit on pi-
azzas and watch the passage OF river Lie, but
conceal themselves, and, with closed doors
and windows, ,resoiutely ignore our existence
This, however, we can submit to, without
being either seriously injured or mortified.
With us is the consideration that We have
made all these people happy, kept them
wealthy. and preserved for them their homes
and property in spite Of themselves. II they
cho( sc to haunt their back kitchens in pre-
ference to the front parlors, or TO SIT IN DARK
encd rooms instead of admitting the Deautl-
ftl. hcalthfnl sunlight, We can cheeriuily,
without compromising the dignity OF the
Government, afford TO forgive them such
petty Sights. There VI are any quantity OF
miserable devils who are now encased Ia
ragged gray, who are starving, fighting, and
diving all over the South, who would most
gladly exchange positions with them. lhelf
lot is not the hardest known in the history
OF this present war.
The first thing that strikes ope as he passes
along the levee Of New Orleans is the Sab
bafhlike stiffness that seems to reign over
the city. The leyee, as far as the eye can
reach. is bare Of everything save q rich crop
of GRASS. which, although Il fine thing III an
ar,isticai point Of view, Is not calculated TO
convey q great idea OF copmerciaf activity
and prosperity. A few Gull steamers ana
merchantmeu and half-dozen river boats
are tied up to the landing-one or two have
nm s,eam and seem to have been somewhere,
ar -, h.. about to start for some other Poib!,
Inn. In. majority look rs If anything to DO Is
n thina Of the past, or OF a very indehnite
period in the fntare.
A SPEECH FROM HENRY WINTER DAVIS oS
rag ENLISTMENT OF NEGROES.
There was mass meeting Of the Union
men Of Portland on Saturday last. vice
President Hamlin presided over the meet
ling The first speaker was Il. Winter
Davis, of Baltimore, who made the io'.
lowing remarks about the employment OF
negro soldiers:
The President had an undoubtcd right, M
| der the act Of Congress, To employ rs MANY
negroes ~ can be- obtained In putting down
| the rebclli0M. He would Hike 10 sea the quts
ltiou Of slavery moot0d. That 1et 0l Con
eress haa plaecd ln the banda 0f the Fresh
dent the instrumsnt thAt ahAll ffee the pc