New Orleans Republican., 1868-05-07

Oi0I4N0 ekAStNA OA bA1 AAAANNSas
The following anual message ofthe Mayor
was read and received
TIE MAYORS MESSAGE.
To the President and Members OF the Common
GrvrLENEN-No city in the American.
Union has heretofore been, and still is, more
dependent on the country for its vitality
and prosperity than New Orleans. If the
country languishes, the city is sure to do 80
likewise. This huctuatlon in the health Of
town and country results from the fact that
commerce everywhere rests on agriculture
as basis. The same may be said of the
manufactures of State or city. Agricul-
ture tRa nursing mother of the most i'm
portaut arts known to society, and if the
parent Is afflicted with q serious disease,
the q spring are sure to sympathize with it.
DUR s tine lac war, and for considera-
bic TIM after rs conclusion, agricultural
operation were ETHER suspended or pros
ecuted uA r cire.mstances OF difficulty
and en uAi4 &meBt which paralyzed the
arm Of the agrie )turist, rendered
his supervision Us IS, blighted his
hopes, and depriyed I'm of his custom
AIRY rewards. Nnas could commerce
accomplish, when the sources from which
her life was derived were drained to the
dregs? What availed it that Louisiana
possessed the finest soil, and raised the
most costly staples in the world This city
had failed to be the great market she once
was, because the labors of the planter had
been interrupted, and she no longer received
those supplies which had contributed so
largely to her wealth and prosperity.
Not only were the agricultural operations
of Louisiana checked bg the war, but the
numerous States which are bounded by the
great Mississippi and her tributaries, and
which, from the time of the admission of
Louisiana into the Union, had waited over
its bosom their untold treasures, and heaped
them in the lap of New Orleans, had equally
been involved in the common calamity.
Into what state Of utter hOpelessness aud
almost despair had che Iot sunk, arising
from the abandonment of those arts Of
peace, which are essential 10 the progress,
prosperity, and happiness Of cities, States,
and nations.
Nature and the elements, during the
same disastrous period, seem to have con-
spired with the spirit of civil discOrd in
spreading ruin and desolation over this
fertile section of our country. refer to
the destruction Of crops and the overthrow
Of the hopes of the planter by repeated in :.
undations of the Mississippi riveE, breaking
through its artificial barriers and sweeping
over the fairest and most productive pOr-
tions. OF this beautiful State. Steps have
been taken to repair the extensive mischief,
but so crippled is the State in her resources
by the war, il is difficult to see how so ex.
tensive an undertaking can be accomplished
without the aid of Congress. II is hoped
that that body, regarding the repair or re-
construction Of the leyees Of the Mississippi
as a subject of national intCsest, will come
10 the assistance Of this suffering city and
State, and of the cities and States who are
dependent on the secure navigation of
that great channel OF commerce, by making
liberal appropriation for the important
object. No act of theirs, am sure, would
aaa aaNu ia1 n at kha
Union (now 80 desirable TO all parties and
all sections of our common country, to
fekindle the fires OF patriotism where they
burn less brightly than In former times,
and to impart new and restorative infu-
ence throughout this entire region TO agri-
culture, trade, commerce. manufactures,
and al other industrial pursuits which are
essential TO national prosperity.
In addition 20 the devastating overflows
of the Mississippi, from which the agricult.
ure Of the State and the commerce of the
metropolis have SO severely suffered, we
have had another enemy in the field whose
ravages have been nearly equally destruct-
i've. For series Of years. commencing
with 1864, and extending TO 1867 inclusive,
a large portion of the entire cotton crop of
this region was swept off by the army worm.
Louisiana, and New Orleans, her great en-
porium, have suffered severely, and their
progress and prosperity haYe been greatly
retarded by both Of these causes.
None can realize the blighting influences
upon agriculture, commerce, manufactures,
and the circulating medium exerted by so
great a social convulsion as that through
which we have recently passed but those
who have personally experienced them. /
sii5 sT1sit iIiaTs "a
comnleroe seriously affected by the necessi-
ties 70 which we were reduced
one of the most alfHcult tasks
imposed upon us, and one which
awakened the most intense anxiety, to de.
wise the means Of restoring that credit 10
its pristine state. Besides, the spirits Of our
people were greatly depressed, not only by
recollections Of their past misfortunes, and
by the pressure Of present difficulties, but
by the clouds that lowered over their future
prospects. Their energies were paralyzed
tncir ambition crushed, and their hopes al
least temporarily extinguished. Such were
tho 1nauspicious circumstances under
which we, gentlemen, received the appoint
ments we at present ill.
During the last summer, after a period OF
nearly complete exemption for several
years, the city was afflicted by fearful Wis.
ltation Of its ancient and much dreaded
enemy, the yellow fever, and three thou.
sand Of cur Inhabitants as appears from the
mortuary report of the Board of Health,
were swept Of By its sudden and insidious
attacks. a serious check was thus given
20 every Department Of business in cur
midst, es web as 70 immigration, which Is
necessary 70 supply our wasted numbers.
Notwithstanding these drawbacks, New
Orleans has advanced heycnd our expecta-
uons, aud exhibited a degree Of activity
lpt urpaased by that Of any Of her Southern
el4ttf clt'ea. Daring the past year, lIicted
e. aAl A1a beeu 81 tie epidemic, aer popd.
l9tIou has luc1aaled and abe would Doubt.
4eat nave lttn iaVorlte resort for caDital