New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-17
DAY WITH HORACE GREELEY

There was an excursion party yesterday,
in honor of Horace Greeley. The excur-
! sionists comBrised a number of gentlemen
| anxious to extend every courtesy to our
distinguished visitor and at the same time
show him what we know about sugar
planting. In consequence of kindly in
vitation which Mr.. Greeley had received
from Mr.. Henry Lawrence, while travelling
in his company to New Orleans,
to visit the plantation of his brother
Mr.. Etfingham Lawrence, the excur-
sion Yesterday was arranged by our
delegate to Congress, Hon j. H. Sypher
who considered it as a first congressional
district affair, and acted as impressoriO of
the pleasant enterprise. We may remark
en- passant, that if the company were super
abundantly entertained with the good
things of this life, and suffered no pang of
thirst, it was owing to the mastery arrange
ments of General Sypher.
The Magnolia plantation, the property of
Mr.. Etfingham Lawrence, is one of the most
completely appointed sugar plantations in
| the State or in the South. In par
ticular, we may state that the apparatus
for making and refining sugar is as perfect
as science or money can make it. The mill
and machinery alone are worth fortune,
having been erected at an expense of not
less than two hundred thousand dollars
A large part of the sugar cultivation is
done by steam pIows and cultivator, moved
hu nf
which cost $4,000, and another $l3, 500.
Hence, TO give Mr.. Greeley the best idea of
how the staple product of the State is cul-
tivated, no better place could have been
selected
The excursionists were happy in the Sc
lection of a conveyance, the fine towboat
Grand Era, Captain George NJ. Mcclellan,
having been engaged. To the gentlemanly
courtesy of Captain, Mcclellan and his
brother, Captain Thomas Mcclellan, agent
for the Ocean Line OF towboats, the excur-
sionists were greatly indebted.
The departure was fixed for eleven o'clock
A. NJ, and shortly after that hour, the COM
pany having arrived, away we started and
steamed merrily on our way, touching at
Algiers, and turning down the river, Kelly's
Union Band being aboard and waking the
echoes with excellent music.
The company was numerous, for a day
and an excursion in the company of Horace
Greeley was too rare a treat to be neglected.
Among we noted General J. H. Sypher, our
commodore; Colonel j. F. Casey, collector
of the port; United States Marshal Pack
ard. w. r. Fish Of the REPUBLICAN, General
Cyrus Bussey, Hon. Thomas Ong, Judge
Dibble, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Dill
Gngham, naval officer at this port c. Da-
visson, Esq, City Librarian Colonel S.
A. Stockdale, collector Of internal revenue
L. F. Generes, Esq, Mr.. Effingham Law
renee. Mr.. Henry Lawrence Colonel +. L.
Buttrick, Samuel Smith, Esq, Captain S.
p Griffin, H. B. Foley, Esq, of the st.
Charles Hotel, Arthur Shift, Esq, Mr.. Arm
strong of the Times, and Mr.. Cable of the
Picdyane. Among the company was Mr..
Charles Storrs, of New York, and General
c.. A. Merritt, former naval officer of the
port of New York. Both these gentlemen
were fellow-travelers with Mr.. Greeley from
New York.
There was nothing of incident occurred
on the voyage. The excellent band of
Kelly cheered the way with music, and at
about half-past one an excellent lunch was
served, with vinOus accompaniments,
after which everybody felt better. The
rest of the time, until we arrived at the
place of destination, was spent in cOnversa-
ton, Mr.. Greeley being the centre of attrac-
ton The astute journalist was, however,
more bent on receiving information than
imparting it and although nothing could
be more judicious or well timed
than his remarks, still it was evi-
dent that his present business was to ask
questions. He engaged in discussion with
General Sypher and evidently took a deep
interest in the subject tour levee systeml
and the views advanced. General Sypher
took the ground that it was a national
necessity for the general government to
construct and maintain system of levees
along the Mississippi river; for in the pres
ent impoverished condition of the States
through which the Mississippi runs the pee
pie of these States will be utterly unable to
sustain the additional taxation which
the construction of complete system
of levees would necessitate. The
present system of levees unassisted by
the aid of national resources, was simply
drain on the means of the people without
producing corresponding result. The
Mississippi drains the waters of fifteen
States, and to preserve those States from
the disaster of overflow, caused by i'm
perfect levees, is pre-eminently a national
work, for whenever the government shall
complete proper system of levee protec-
ton for the States that need it, the whole
General Sypher also discussed the necessity
of a ship canal near the ports of the gulf,
to be constructed by the general govern
ment, to be free to the commerce of
Orleans without the payment OF +oll that
the present system of appropriating some
three hundred thousand dollars per annum
for deepening the mouth of the Mississippi
was comparatively futile. 1t was true wis
dom to appropriate six millions of dollars
at once, which would be the final expense,
and there will be no more necessity for an
nual appropriations. Mr.. Greeley seemed
to consider the view thus advocated by
General Sypher with great attention.
Between halfpast two and three o'clock
the Magnolia plantation was reached. Here