The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-06-21
BISHOP ELDER ON SOUTHERN EMIGRATION

Dy Cnc nlCCu SIilCcS uoDutN niuSIlstI.
BISHOP ELDER ON SOUTHERN EMIGRATION.
Right Rev. Dr. Elder made the following
pertinent remarks before the German Ro-
man Catholic Central Union, lately in session
in New York, on the subject of Southern
emigration. We copy from the New York
Freeman's Journal an account of the pro-
ceedings: !
During the proceedings i'll the afternoon
Bishop Elder, of Natchez, Mississippi, en-
tered the hall. He did not cOar emigration |
but only explained the position. The people
wanted ,rhite settlers, and had no prejudice
against Catholics. One Catholic planter
had wanted to secure German labOrers, and
had sent abroad to try and get such. He
referred to the natural inducements which
that State offered to settlers, and that these
were in il measure common to the other
Southern States. The political situation of
the South is great drawback, it is true i
no one knows there whether they are in the
Union or out of it, or what their exact sta
tus at present is; but they had te>wait to
see what was intended for them, and hope
the matter will soon be decided, one way
or the other-that peace will he vOuch-
safed them, lasting>peace, the basis of all
prosperity. He stated that the State can
he reached for>$5O, in less than three days
from New>So DIRK. The climate presents IL
great ynriety, as exemplified by the variety
of the crops. While in the northern part
there is excellent wheat land, there is ex-
cellent soil for corn and cotton in the middle
and southern parts, and figs, oranges, and
bananas grow luxuriantly in the gulf. With
| in from three to five hours travel from New
Orleans there is good garden land, and the
Crescent City furnishes an excellent
market for ali kinds of garden produce.
The Yazoo bottom lands would be the rich
est for cotton. but the dilapidated condi-
ton of the levees subjects it to periodical
state is billy. but not mountainous, and
very healthy, and lung diseases and con-
sumption are hardly ever known. The
State must always rely chiefly Oh agricul-
turc, though even now manufactures are
increasing, and water power for the use of
factories abounds The seasons are long
there is not IL month in the year when
blowing may not be done.
At Natchez flowers may be seen in bloom
during the whole year. The heat is never
severe, the thermometer, for the last eleven
years. ranging about ninety-fOur degrees
Fahrenheit in the shade, though sometimes
it becomes oppressive, owing to its duration.
The DAYS are not as long further north,
but the nights are longer and pleasant, and
he 1.-THE speaker,) never lost a nights sleep
on account of the heat. Farmers can obtain
three crops-frst, potatoes; then, sweet
: potatoes then, beans-and have the ground
prepared for turnips for winter crop. The
owners of large plantations in the State are
willing to sell, and that very cheap. Some
!, of the best improved lands have been sold
, as low as twelve and fifteen cents per acre.
For Catholic settlers the State is to be highly
! commended. for Catholicism is making rapid
= progress. The number of conversions is
, increasing. In Natchez alone, town OF
e four thousand inhabitants, one hundred and
: eighty persons, above seven years Of age,
were baptized within the last three years
:. In a town where there was but one Catholic
i resident, the leading men, all Protestants
- asked him-the bishOp-to establish con.
" " vent school for the education of their own
= !. daughters, and subscribed fund of $500
. to aid the undertaking, against the strenu.
y GUS remonstrance of one or two Jealous
y Protestants at the town meeting. And this
= is the prevailing sentiment throughout the
u State The bishop urged the appointment
:, of committee on immigration, to whom he
" would give all the Information in his power
. and concluded by a feeling and eloquent
" y, appeal to the convention to persevere in the
good work for the preservation of our fire,
Il political institutions. based upon the tru,
ii principles OF morality and the true rules %
a living.
a., DIOCESE OF ALToN.-The Right Rev