The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-03-18
MONROE AND SURROUNDINGS.

The past history of Monroe is of no
to us now; the future is the
subject.
The population is good material-
composed Of all nations, kindred and
tongues. We first thought the popula-
ton selfish, but, ON acquaintance, find
they are not. They have, to 4 stran-
ger, cold and Indifferent bearing; but
we account for this on sound, practical
principles-they will not hug Il man
until they know something of him. 1t
is sensible, because it gives protection
tothemselves against the thousand-and-
one humbuggeries.
1t was once Il maxim ofl;,w that s'you
must presume Il man is right until he
is proven to be wrong" 1t was Il good
maxim, and just to our fellow man.
But it seems that circumstances, men
and Governments have all changed i'll
such way AS to demand i, reversal of
the maxim; hence, we must now pre-
sumo a man to he II humbug until he
proves himself otherwise. 1t may not
be 80 charitablea rule, but evidently IL
safer one. When IL man proves himself
worthy, this people will properly APP
preciate and respect him.
But to the future: Monroe is situ
ated on the Ouacliita river, near the
centre of North Louisiana, with good
navigation almost the year round, with
u certainty that the General Govern
ment will in II short time remove every
obstacle. We have railroad connection
with the Mississippi and the railroad
world east. In il few years over
two--we will connect with the chain of
railroads on the west, and in less than
three years will, by railroad, connect
direct with st. Louis. These facts be-
ing true--and no thinking man will
doubt thenl-we are in full cOmmuni-
cation with all parts of the world. This
opens to you our future.
Again: In the soil of the Ouachita
and Mississippi rivers are buried mil
lions for Monroe. The soil is here in
exhaustible, and capital and men will
find it. Millions of acres are vet idle.
The products are nothing now, COM
HaAISu Will IitlNSSt vi teI
hence. Lands around Monroe are COM
ing in demand. Men are looking for
homes-good homes. The population
of the nation is moving westward, and
in the next generation the country be-
tween the Ouachita and Mississippi will
be one wide harvest field. out of this
field Monroe will feed and fatten until
we shall want no more.
Looking these facts in the face, it
becomes the present population ofMon-
roe to prepare for the feast. Let each
one dig down deep, and arouse from
our sleeping powers IL noble, generous
public spirit. Enlarge your store
houses erect your public halls build
your churches, and let the stceples
point heaVenward; tear down the old
schoOl-houses, and establish temples of
learning worthy of II prosperous and
proud people. You are la"Sar,l in the
race now, but soon ii new era will
dawn upon you, and You will vet edu-
cate children by the thousand in this
rich and fertile valley. Houses fan
kinds are demanded. Strange and new
faces are seen upon the streets every
day, asking to rent, to buy, or to board.
Come down in the price of your prop
erty; lower your rents; and let the
wandering stranger and friend have
homes with us.
Finally, let us all have that great
ambition, or rather emulation, of who
can best work and best agree.
Planter and Merchant. =