Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1865-12-20
Letter From tl.e sou1h.-xO. 3

Letter From tEse SOuGh.-XO. =.
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 9th, 1865.
EDITOR CHRoNIcLE:-In attempting TO
give the business prospects and material
condition of Louisiana, under the politi-
cal sentiment which has become dominant
by what has been supposed TO be the pol
icy of the President upon the question Of
reconstruction, / must necessarily give
opinions and speculation from my stand
point of observation, more or less colored
BY my notions ami views of political
economy; and in this must necessarily
reach at least the border ground Of con-
troversy. For instance, the majority IN
this State, and in fact all over the South,
will persistently assert that the only way
in which business prosperity can be at
tanned, is to allow State Legislatures the
complete control of what they call the la
Dor question; in other words, the ag-
ricultural laborers, who formerly were
slaves. but are now, in the national nom-
enclature, freedmen. When they can be
compelled to work just according to the
views of those who employ them, then it
is expected that agricultural and COM
mercial prosperity will be the result, and
the rich fields will be, what is alleged
they once were, the garden of the CONT
nent. Such theories will prove unsound;
and not until the Legislature of State
shall reflect the will of capital and labor
will permanent prosperity be attained in
free government. But facts are strong
er and better than theories, and expert
ence is a good school if not too dearly
purchased; and the South will profit by
the lessons of experience if she will not
listen TO the teachings of q sound politi-
cal philosophy.
The close of the way has infused bus
iness activity into New Orleans and added
largely to its population. Up to that
time its trade was limited to the wants of
its own people and ten or twelve parishes
bordering on the Mississippi river. 1t had
a contraband trade beyond our lines, but
it was too hazardous to tempt judicious
business men and but few adventurous
spirits engaged in it. At the surrender
of the rebel armies the whole country was
open 10 trade and the wants OF the in
habitants were great; for the war had de-
prived them of ali luxuries, and many of
the necessaries of life. There was much
more cotton in the Confederacy than was
supposed. The order to burn cotton and
other property belonging to individuals,
to prevent it from falling into the hands
of the yankees, reached no farther than
the lighted torch of the officer whose du-
ty it was 10 execute the order. The hearts
of the Southern people were never fired
hot enough to burn, voluntarily, their
own property. Four hundred and seven
tY-three thousand one hundred and nine
ty-three bales of cotton have been reeeiv-
ed in New Orleans from the first of April
last to the 25th of this month, Nov, ]
and The average weekly receipts now
amount to about eighteen thousand bales.
Most of the cotton received up to this
date was raised prior to the year 1865
The cotton above Nicksburg is mostly
sent up the Mississippi to Memphis, St.
Louis, Cairo, Louisville and Cincinnati
In exchange for this cotton large amounts
of goods and provisions nave been taken
from New Orleans to the country. How
the quantity of merchandise sold in New
Orleans since April last will ccompart
with sales for the same period before the
war, cannot state. The monthly salei
Of large dry-goods house, Wallace & Co.
amount now to five hundred thousand
dollars, and one of the firm informed me
that the average monthly sales, since
April last, have amounted to from two
hundred and fifty 10 three hundred thou
sand dollars. Rents have advanced sine,
april lst, from thirty to nifty per cent.
and every habitable building in the cit,
| is occupied. There is great demand 70
mechanical labor and all kinds Of ,.
chanics can find ready and permanen
. employment at high wages. Those VIII,
, come to the city in quest of clerIlship il
stores or in public Offices will find th
supply in that department. Of industry
greater than the demand, and viii be un
able to find employment. In fact, al
over the South the cities are oyercrowd
ed with people other than mechanics
4 seeking employment. Iii said that ne
: groes incline to the cities, and that this
: one of the evils incident 20 the suddel
emancipation of the slaves. l do no
think this IS the case with New Orleans
There are many colored people here, bu
relatively not in greater numbers thai
formerly. The negroes Of New Orleans
e as far as an able TO judge, are as indus
L trious as the whites, and in proportion 3
their numbers and intelligence, thei
morals are about as good. It is a fac
that many Of them are guilty of naught
practices, and l am sorry to say that the
appear to be Initiating The civilization c
5 the whites in patronizing drinking an,