New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1867-05-31
FROM VERNON PARISH.

-"Picayuu+ Action on the Part
of Steamboat characterization OF the
Freedmen-Efects Of the Late War
Prospect Of the Crops-The Freedmen's
Bureau. etc, etc.
GORE. pondeuce Of the Republican
JACKSON, La, May 90 1857.
At last, several days after the weekly
Crescent and several other New Orleans
weekles have been received by subscribers
in this place, have Just received your noble
paper. It is so refreshing to catch oc-
casional truths and loyal sentiments, that
regret that the REPUBLICAN is prereRted
from reaching me. think am justifiable
in using the term prevented, for this reason:
number of gentlemen embarked at New
Orlcans,on the steamboat Vicksburg, some
three weeks since, having for their destina.
tions, some Catahoula, some Jackson, and
some Ouachita parishes. Copies of yourez-
cellent paper were addressed to them and
sent aboard the boat. After starting from
New Orleans the gentlemen inquired for
their packages, and were informed by the
gentlemanly clerk that they were re-
turned to your office. And upon ask
ing tie reason, were told that it was
not the desire TO carry those papers.
| am Informed that there is no regular con-
tract for carrying the mail by the Ouachita
river boats, and if such be the case, OF
course they can act their own pleasure
about carving the REPUBLICAN, but those
who control these boats must have very
weak faith in their own doctrines when
they so flagrantly show their fear of haTing
your advocate of truth and humanity circu-
lated through these remote districts.
Yet so it seems nor is this the only
ground ior complaint, as for three weeks
l,.,-. r., i'm nor IA
private letters; and am compelled to be-
lieve that the postal officials at some point
between this place and New Orleans will
not bear investigation.
Registration is proceeding with ordinary
rapidty, the colored voters outnumbering
the white over three to one.
Very many freedmen have not been paid
for last years labor. Their situation, if
changed from what it was prior to the war,
has chaneed rather to the worse.
They are eager to get their free papers,
and prize them highly. OF course, after SO
many years of total mental darkness, they
cannot at once appreciate the benefits
which they will derive; but their natural
instincts tell them that they are for their
good.
I find many citizens who were forced into
assisting or engaging in the rebellion, but
who are loyal at heart, aud although they
consider ii to their interest to withhold their
bIlhlOl0s l'l't'' li tAAt triumph - NAAASH
republican principles.
The majority seem to accept of the situa-
tiOn rs best, and trust that no disturbance
will occur during registration or at election,
nness some irresponsible, foolish parties
allow themselves to be carried away by
'Bourbonous" patriotism.
at is an evil wind that blows no one any
good, aud although the whirlwnd of desc
lating warfare has swept ever this land, i'm.
poverishing the people, among other good
things 1t has done them the most manifest
Is that it has taught them TO raise their own
subsistence instead Of importing 1t as here
toforo. The planters are now aware that
corn is king, and have planted much more
OF it than ever heretofore.
The season is so backward 1t is impossible
to predict as TO how the crops viii yield;
but, considering all the Disadvantages, the
crops, corn especially, look very prom.s'
| ing.
| II is well that, at last, the southern farm
| ers see the best course to pursue, and are
| trying TO raise their own food, Tor II Is
really deploratle to see the poverty of 20
many of these people.
| The agent OF the freedmen's bureau is
| here. That institution that is so much SLAM
| dered and ignored, is now prepared to dis
| tribute food to the needy when the police
| jury will bring forward cases of destitution.