The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-06


10 mass from the poor soils OF the Northeast 70
those richer ones which now offer themselves n
such vast abundance in the center. the South, ana
the Southwest, As I think, it cannot
In all this there is scarcely more than
glimpse of q vast concurrence of facts and
statements indicating that immigration has
begun to touch its Western limits, and must
at length, and at no distant day, diyerge to
the Southwest and pour into the rich basin OF
Louisiana.
A malicious feature Of Mr.. Kathman's
pamphlet, designed as the document is for
circulation in Europe, is that which relates to
the civil law policy of Louisiana and to the
general tone of public opinion in the State.
In this connection it is said:
The rights of property, the modes Of acquisi
ton, the laws Of leases, liens seryitudes privi-
leges, prescriptions, marriage, SUGGESTIONS and
Inheritance, are the same that the emigrant from
Central or Southern Europe was taught IN his
own fatherland. No other State in the Union
oilers the emigrant such advantages IN thisrespeei
as Louisiana. In all other States they have the
common law of England, modified by local
changes TO suit special circumstances. and each
State differs from the others in many respects 10 its
laws. The consequence Is that except IN Louis
iana, the emigrant to the United states hnds u
is often subjected TO ruinous losses. The civil
law. as in Louisiana, requires the vendor to war
rant what he sells, while the common law OF the
other States is the reverse and requires the pur-
chaser to look to il that what be buys Is sound.
The laws of Louisiana have always been more
liberal than those of any other State in the Union.
We have had DO sumptuary laws, no Maine liquor
laws, no laws against hunting or fishing. The
theaters, the ball rooms, the beer gardens, the
cofeehouses, the billiard saloons and the churches
III at aolI md O. oA
privileges ON Sundays. During all the time that
slavery existed IN Louisiana, the slave had ready
means and was provided by laws with every
facility for obtaining his freedom, and when free,
he was allowed not only TO be suitor in court
and witness for or against white man. hut was
allowed every right of citizen except voting,
sitting on Jury and holding office. Many were
very wealthy.
This enlightened and liberal spirit of our laws
has always sprung from the tolerant and gen.
erous character of our people. There is no pre-
JUDGE against caste, and no antipathy to foreign
eTs or strangers ; for having the representatives
of so many trades and states and natonalities
among us, all join In welcoming the honest and
worthy immigrant, let him belong to what calling
or country he may. This liberal sentiment of our
people has impressed itself upon all the institu
tons of the State, and hence there are in Louisi
ana more charitable and benevolent institutions
supported at public expense than can be found 10
any other part Of the world in proportion to the
population.
When we reflect that this pamphlet as Mr..
Kathman informs us, is now being distrib-
uted through Europe in all languages, and
that it goes forth officially Endorsed in these
words Of Governor Baker : 81 do not consider
that anything therein said is exaggerated.
A residence of forty
years in the State, devoted to agricultural
pursuits, enables me to testify from actual
experience in this matter. Louisiana, in the
productiveness of her soil and her geograph.
ical position, is far ahead of any of the States
in America" it is surely not oversanguine tc
anticipate that it will contribute to draw To
Louisiana considerable part of the stream
of European emigration which the situation
of the continent causes every moment to in.
crease. But, however it may be with this par
ticular anticipation, that our State will al
last be cynosure of both Northern and
European emigration. is hope as firmly
founded as natures architecture. The pro-
phetic heavens proclaim this destiny to the
unfailing earth, and rivers, lakes, hills,
savannas reflect and re-echo the shining
proclamation.