New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-14
A TEMP UP TIE RIVER.
Many Signs Of Progress.
lFor the New Orleans Republican
ST, louis. July g. 1870.

l
lFor the New Orleans Republican
ST. Louis, July 9, 1870.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN,:
MY wanderings by steamboat and rail cal
for the past ten days have presented large
field view and added to my store of oh
served facts. Remaining at home and sys
tematically pursuing the wearying duties OF
daily life, persuades one that the world
stands still, but travel convinces him Of
progress. Three years ago we traversed the
same line Of travel, and we could but note
the changes of three years, all indicating the
onward march of progress.
What a change the Mississippi valley
presents. New levees are being built and
old ones repaired; dilapidated mansions are
being possessed of Northern planters, resi-
dences are reprinted and refitted, and neat
and tasteful servants quarters are erected.
Unimproved plantations are being re-
claimed, and improved methods of hus-
| bandry are employed. The whole aspect of
the Mississippi valley subjected to these
new agriculturists is beginning to assume
semblance of Northern farm life.
Our line of travel lay also along the St.
Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad, This is
new road, and few years ago the region
through which it passes was a waste, inhab-
tied only by thriftless farmers. The coun-
try for these hundred miles is rich,
heavily wooded, broken into hills and beau
tiful dales, and highly picturesque Like
other portions of Missouri it has invited
Northern emigration. No Observant traveller
can fail to see the footprints Of progress on
every hand in this section, nor mistake the
farms OF new corners. The new fences,
modern barns and dwellings, and agricultu-
raj machinery are signs Of new and higher
material life.
A visit to the noted and inexhaustible
mines that skirt this road reveal the same
manifest progress. Here thousands of
hands are employed and untold quantities
OF the richest iron, lead and other ores are
smeited or transported to Northern cities.
We inquire who are the proprietors, and
who the officers and men, and our informant
tells us that they are largely Northern men.
AS matter of fact, Southern centers of
life, railroads and manufacturing corpora
tons are changing hands, inviting Northern
capitalists, and SO becoming infused with
more vigorous life.
We noticed the same evidences of progress
and change in political life. Spending
few hours in the capital Of Mississippi, we
visited the Legislature, and found fine
body of men in the Senate and House.
About One-tenth Of the former and one |
little lobbying, and the bills and laws for |
lcvee repairs, schools, etc, all |
indicated the higher future of Mississippi.
Though the present Governor has seemed |
to be ever conservative in some of his meas
ures, and so threatened division of the |
United States Senate, is proof of his popu-
arity and the growing unity of both
branches of the Republican party, a sure
evidence of its continued rule and the dis
Of rebel sympathizers. What
a change in three years. Then to be known
rs radical on rail-car or steamboat would
subject one to abuse, now Republican papers
Ire sought for, and gray haired Confede-
'ates candidly discuss the issues of the
lOur. l well remember that to be seen
with the New Orleans REPUBLICAN in the
streets Of your city, would subject one to
,buse, and no newsboy or newsdealer would
lare to offer a copy for SALE, but now the
picayune and REPUBLICAN are cried on the
treets. found at news marts and sold
like on Southern thoroughfares, and
his is as it should be. A free republic must
invite free discussion, and free discussion
will give certain triumph to progressive
entiments.
One other hopeful sign of progress is ap-
'arent. Having few moments to spare
'efore leaving. we went into the ladies' car
t New Orleans, to say goodbye to some
riends, and what was our astOnishment to
md some colOred teachers side by side with
vhite ladies', and neither conductor nor
assengers seemed to offer any objection.
We went an board the Henry Tete, and
here we found both colored and white sit
ing side by side, as though it were no unu-
nal occurrence. And when we crossed from
iChSuuIS tOOdcAsOu, OH INC lckSDufS anu |
Mississippi Railroad, We noticed the presi-
ent of the road and other gentlemen
1 the same car with those who
ere formerly their slaves, but now
heir political equals Upon inquiry
e found that this was no unusual event,
ut that all the cars on this road were open
} indiscriminate occupancy. For these +
gins Of an advancing civilization we thank q
cd, and felt to take courage, in the belief
lat the labors of the progressive party =
ere not fruitless. The Republican party
as achieved this progress, with all its 6
istakes and time-serving men. The dis
,pointed politician and the arrant rebel
ay disclaim against the regnant party in 8,
e South, and yet the fact is un1eniable
lat what of progress We have is the har. L.
st of Republican principles 1t has time d,
rvers and misguided zealots-and what
,rty has not-and yet the hope of the
,uth, and the elevation of the freedman is ps
und in the continued triumph of those D,
inciples which suppressed the rebellion
I'd inhere in the present administration.
CRESCENT.
Tho CT T opi- Democ,Mf contains +ho Col