New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-05
GOOD IMPRESSIONS.

past few days to make good impression
on the minds of the numerous VISITOR
that are now in the Crescent. City, ant
convince them that New Orleans, like mos
other cities, has its bright side as well al
its dark side, and that it requires but
little more time. with the aid of proper
public spirit on the part of her people to
make this the metropolis of the South
west. 1t is true New Orleans has not
grown as rapidly in the past as New York,
Chicago, st. Louis and San Francisco,
yet she has position and
natural advantages that must
secure for her rapid growth in the future
if assisted by works of public improve
ment. Give this city proper system Of
drainage, protect it against inundationt
from river or lake, reclaim the swamp
lands in its rear, and give it the shortest
and deepest cut to the Gulf-a cut that
win admit the largest sea-going vessels
engaged in foreign and domestic
| commerce-and there is nothing that
can prevent it from becoming, in a
very short time, one of the greatest
cities on this continent. Already is
the tide of immigration strongly
| flowing in the direction of the Southwest,
and the country known as the Mississippi
Valley is destined to be settled, in the next
fifty years WITH hardy yeomanry that
will make it tie garden spot of America
| and Of the world. Under system of free
labor it must become dotted over with
small, but neat and well improved and
well cultivated FARMS, where everything
will be produced that the soil is capable
of producing; where stock and poultry
will be raised in abundance, and if neces-
sary the good housewife may even make
the cloth that is required to give raiment
for the family. Not only will the great
staples Of the South-cotton, sugar, rice and
tobacco-be then looked after, but every
thing that is calculated to add to the
wealth, comfort and happiness of the
human family. The. land of fruit and
flowers-where the golden orange and the
beautiful magnolia are to be seen in win
ter's range unaffscted-knows no nipping
cold. Vegetables may be here grown the
year round with but little care, and fish
ana oysters of the rarest quality are to be
had. We speak of these things in no
boasting way, but simply to remind our
visitors, many of whom have been drawn
hither for the first time, to see our city
and witness the gayeties of Mardi- Gras
day, that they now have an opportunity of
realizing what we say, and of feeling with
US that We are truly favored people. It
is true we are not exempt from disease,
but New Orleans is no more subject to the
maladies of poor human nature than other
large cities; and it is even questionable
whether other cities that have great repu-
tations for health can produce as good
record the year round as can this city in
this respect. With proper system
of drainage introduced, protection
against inundation from river or
lake afforded, and the swamp lands in
the rear of the city reclaimed and built
upon to the Lake, this could be made not
only one Of the most health-giving cities,
but one Of the pleasantest and handsom-
est in this or any other country to reside
in. In the early settlements of New York
and Philadelphia, those cities were visited
by yellow fever, and they are now more
subject to epidemics than New Orleans the
year round. The greatest drawback on
this city in the past has been the want of
a permanent population. 1t has been
too much subject to change in
this respect. With the adjustment of
slavery; and the opening of the country
to free labor, immigrants from all direc-
tons have commenced to flow this way,
where the land is rich and the climate
genial; where a home may be obtained
for comparatively small sum of money,
and harvests reaped that will repay labor
better than in any other country. Already
Ao'O VAC AuAb sAOOo POs LII III tuOAi UIoo-
SONS, and the forest trees are rapidly put
ting on a coat Of living green;
the fields have been prepared,
and the good seed is being sown
that will repay the husbandman for
this years labor. This is the condition of
things in Louisiana on the first of March,
whilst in the North an1 West snow is still |
upon the ground; where winter fingers in
the lap of spring, and is likely to
continue his reign a month or two
longer, with the trees looking gray and |
dreary. The difference is 50 apparent,
that it is not necessary to remind those of |
it who are here to see for themselves, and |
feel the good impressions that Louisianas
favored condition at the commencement |
Of spring is bound to make; but, We
speak of it, for the benefit of
others who have not, yet realized |
the beauties and pleasures of the Sunny
South, and its great metropolis, that those
who have been here may verify our words
when they return to their Western or
Northern homes.
New Orleans may have its dark side,
but it also has its bright side, which must
continue TO grow with the increase of