The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-05-27
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.


{ Correspondence Of the Louisiana Democrat. ]
PAzARRo, MONTEREY Co, CALIFORNIA.
Editor Democrat DEAR SIR:-I am one,
Of a company of nine, who embarked at
Alexandria, La, in the month of July A.
D., 1s49, for the glittering shores Of this
famed state-here, possible, to realize
all of the wild dreams of the most extrav-
agant. The company was composed OF
residents of Rapides Parish, and many OF
them natives thereof, to-wit: Frank Fl.
Reynolds, Col. Fulton, DR.. Stivers, VIM. M.
Stafford, John Colgan, David T. Stafford,
(poor fellow, and noble man, who died on
the Isthmus, on our trip,) M P. Shore, R.
s. Slaughter and T. S. Robert. Soon after
reaching this State we all separated, and
have but seldom seen each other since
Some have gone to parts unknown to me,
some are still in the mines of this State,
and one is in Idaho-and one is, or was, at
last accounts. in Rapides Parish near Che.
NEVILLE.
What changes have taken place since
then, San Francisco was then but small
town of tents presenting somewhat the
appearance of camp, and now, as if by
magic, has grown into q first class city,
with a population equal to New Orleans,
the buildings of which are said to be un-
surpassed in beauty and granduer, and not
only has San Francisco reared its lofty
columns but other and numerous cities
and towns have done the same here, and
with equal certainty has the country or
State generally kept pace in prosperity.
But alas, what contrary change has
been wrought, by all accounts, in the once
proud and unsurpassed prosperous South.
1t is said, "Those whom God loveth he
chastiseth," but fear the Patient will die
in the treatment, and leave the land Of our
Fathers to become second Africa or
Sahara, and the only hope possible is for
the Democracy Of the North to come out
in their strength and say athus far shalst
thou go and no farther" to the usurpers
al@ destroyers Of American liberty, and
with them must the Sonth join as oneman
and be true to her instincts, Liberty or
Death" This State has redeemed herself
from the shackles once bound npon her
people, and now bids defiance to all de-
spots and will continue so for all time to
come, as thousands of the once deceived
are leaving the Radical ranks and focking
to the old standard of Democracy, and in
November next we will roll up majority
for the Democracy, such as will make the
usurpers tremble with fear. But / pre-
sumo the South has to submit to their fate
and bide their time, although grievous.
There is not q shadow of q doubt but
the Southerner is the only true friend Of
the negro, as have known instances here
where Yankees would impose upon ne
groes, and they, the negroes, woulk seek
protection from the men of the South, and
have invariably received it-and I know,
from actual observation, that if the ne
groes will be civil, kind and industrious,
their best and truest friends WILDE South
erners, and if they wish to be destroyed as
a people, as has been the ease here in a
short 20 years with the Mexicans, let them
engage in politics and thereby acquire all
the pomicious vices arising therefrom and
they will soon be driven out Of the coun-
try or consumed by the superior race as is
always the case and these very men who
now pretend to be their friends will exult
over their downfall. Let the Southerners
be true to the blacks and true to them
selves and the time will soon come when
they will be released from the bondage
they are now suffering, as the North is
awake to their sutferings and expressions
and there will be one great effort to save
the whole country.
Southerners, be true to yourselves and
be true to the Democracy of the North and
ali will be well in the end this is the all
vice of one who was born and raised ir
your midst and whose whole sympathy il
with you-always has been and ever will
be. And should the oppression become too
great to be borne by, you and you should
desire casting your lot among anothel
people, come to the hospitable State o
California, where there is room for thol
sands of industrious and enterprising per
sons, no drOne can live here, he has either
leare or sta,ve and die, but the ilidustriou
are always assisted in every community
Crops this season are good, though W,
have had an abundance of rain, very mucl
like 1s49, and perhaps more rain has fallel
than fell that year. The rains will soo1
be over and we will then not have an,
more for five or six menths-what a dc
lightful country is this.
/ herewith send you FIVE dollars,
"green back" hate to send such tras
to pay for anything, but you will send nj
your gaper to the amount Of the valu
thereof and when the time is out / vii
send you moro If you will receive then
we deal here almost entirely in gold an
silver, and any contract made to be PAL
in coin, gold or silver, has to be performe
strictly, which is right, and which I hop
will he the case soon everywhere, as
once was-and make all property pay ta1
es, bonds and all-or repu1iate the debt.
We are anxious for the Rail Road t
connect us with the East and South, an
when that time comes you may see man
of us return to our old homes, for awhil
at least, to see and know things we ca
scarcely believe at present. But wit
| ,nany, ne no mn dnuht Nhoma wou1l he NOR