The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-02-13
Correspondent.
FROM THE SOUTH.

New ORLEANS, Jan. 18th, 1869.
To-day has been the first day since reached
this CITY that could stroll about il. Yoa will
bear in mind, that during this seasoa when We
are all under theembargo OF frosts, snow and mud
in Illinois, that the present, here is the most &C.
tive and the busiest season of the whole year.
Ships from all ports of the Iworld are now here
csngrsgated. Steam ships from Europe, Havana
and the South American States, to which places
regular steam ship lines are established are dai.
~ coming and going. River boats from the Red
river, Arkansas, the Black, White, Ohio, Rio
Grands, Pearl, and scores Of other rivers, loaded
with cotton, crowd the levees and wharyes, un.
leading the staples Of their various localities and
leading again with corn, sugar, pork, hay, agri-
cultural implements, dry goods, groceries, wines,
liquors, &C., for return freights.
Passing down the leves to-day it was lined as far
a. the eye could reach, up and down, with steam
ships, steam boats, sailing vessels, canal boats,
Fat boats, scores of tugs ice BEATS and huge arks
filed with hay. potatoes, apples, pork, and 9th
er products from the Ohio, Cumberland, Tenn.
sssee, Wabash, Black and White rivers. And
hundreds of negroes with their New Orleans
drays, unlike those of any ether place, drawn by
one, two or three mules. Among all of them
did not see half dozen white men in the crowd.
and these were Irishmen. In fact, it would take
bat slight fight of fancy to believe you were
in a great metropolis upon the shores of Africa.
Negroes by thousands were lining the levees,
men, women and children, hundreds of strong,
athletic fellows, laziug in squads basking in the
sun. Half clad mulattoes and negro women were
peddling eatables-black, filthy looking stuff
in pans and kettles that would sicken respect.
able dog in Illinois to look upon The poor Al
rican has reached his highest dream of happi-
ness, when he has clear sky above, a burning
sun shining full down upon him, with the most
disgusting food to satisfy the craving of hunger,
and the scantiest amount of raiment to cover his
nakedness. A few Of the most intellectual are
seen crowding the capitol and watching their sa-
bic brethren. who are now elected to the high
distinction of Legislators and officers of the great
state of Louisiana. With staring eyes, and mouth
agape, he watches every movement of his duskv
brothers that becomes painful to look upon. I
counted forty odd colored members of the lower
house, to-day, differing in all the variety of
shades, from the ebony to milk and molasses hue,
hazel eyes and slightly curled, redish hair. The
Speaker Of the house is from Maine; he came
here with the army, thought he saw a good
thing. took tho tide at its food and made his as
pirations success. He is school master, has
all the ways of oIe, and at times talks to the con-
tad mi al hat 1; ~.
school down east among tho pineries and SHOWS
OF his native state. With few exceptions, the
colored members of the lower house are the most
worthy members, but arc made too easily the
dupes OF Yankee cunning and carpet bag rascal
ity. The house has about one hundred members.
and in all that number saw not half a dozen
men fit to fill the Office of an Illinois Justice of
the peace.
The senate is smaller body Of thirty-six
membera The Lieutenant Governor is q black
man with slight tings Of white blood. His name
is Dun, and is dan-colored himself; he is q man
Of more than ordinary bsains prssides with q
fair amount of dignity, and seems to understand
tho routine Of Legislation quite we'll, and really
exhibits degree of tact creditabls in keeping the
white and black members Of that body in sub
bsrdination. There are . few men of ability in
that body, but as . whole, of very .neager oapac.
ity indeed. q.
Many amusing things transpire in this august
body. To-day motion was made to strike out
the word religions in , bill for regulating tho
psnitentiary discipline. Quite a sharp debate
sprung up upon it Various senator's begged to
Be excused from voting, objections we're raised.
the privilege was asked to explain their votes.
An old plantation negro with white beard and
shaved head, black As charcoal, wearing huge
silver bowed spectacles that came together be-
hind his ears, desired to explain his vote. Leave
being granted, he said: "Nr. President, I an
opposed to dis ere bill, sar, it prescribes de black
maa from going dsr. ssr. am minister Of de
gospel Now suppose dis hea niger, sar, knocks
at dc door OF dose misfortunate men. den. Mr..
President. dis niger no let dis bill, he 90 in
The Lieut. Governor then reminded his sable
brother that he was lab,ring under misappre.
hsnsion, that neither white or colored men were
excluded from that institution The old darkev |
foundsred around for about ten minutes mor. |
and set down. Then you should have seen the
conscious look Of self satisfied greatness upon his
sable countenance, and reflected back from score,
OF other negroes lining thu spaces around tn.
hall. Then Mr.. O'Hara, an Irishm.u. from
the parish Of St. Mary's und carpet Dagger, de.
sired to explain his vote, and proceeded to vocif