The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-06-21
The Reason why.

We copy below from letter re-
ceived from an old planter of this county.
He. was writing in reference to a com
municatiOn which had been published
in local paper. His letter is suggest
i've, presenting questions which should
have fuller discussion and be better
understood by all the people of the
South-applicable as well to the West,
also-andWe give it sOmewhatat length:
ANDREW CHAPEL, Tenn, April 8, 1873
"While almost everybody is writing
and bOasting Of the rapid growth andprOs
perity Of all our towns in the surround
ing counties, we would like to have some
one make suggestions for our benefit
help us Country jakes," that we too,
may prosper. You town folks seem to
prosper, but think do not exaggerate
when say that nineteen-tWentieths OF
the farmers ''so-called, Of this county
are becoming poorer every year, l say
this from experience as well as ObserVa-
tion. Now, why is this? Who will an
swer the question ? The fault is not in
the land or climate. I've Travelled i'll
every southern State-sOme in Mexico
and in the north. AS to soil, climate,
seasons, we are excelled by few and
have advantages that many Of these
countries have not. Why the great
complaint of hard times, scarcity of
money as compared with former times?
do not wish to be considered a crOaker--
am not at all mad because "niggersn are
free, (fOr always thought them q curse
to the white man), but want these queS-
ti0ns answered and remedy for the evils
complained of, given. Will our cities
continue to thrive if there is not a cor
responding prosperity among the far
mers. Our country schools have nearly
"played out" our churches are going
dOWn-few persons attend them, and 1t
is a difficult matter to support the min
istry; social enjOyments are broken up:
These are facts. What are we to do?
All have not money enough to move to
town for the enjoyment Of these prlvll-
eyes. Somebody must work the soil.
Who is to do it? Negroes are getting
scarce, and I think, more worthless
every year. They will only wor k on
rented land, or they wish to buy land,
having nothing to pay for it. These are
now, mostly their terms about here no
amount of money, will induce them to
work for wages in the country on the
up our farms without hired labOrers.
These we cannot get at any price, and
my prediction is, that in ten years or less
time, there will be but few farms in
this neighborhood, under the present
system, with a suitable fence to keep
out stock. It seems that very few good
laborers from the north, or the Atlantic
States will come here. Where from and
how are we to get them? | would want
no better country or climate, or better
business for making money than farming,
if these could be procured, even at ex-
travagant wages. You are right in urg-
ing upon our people the necessity of
diversity of productions, and more at
tentiOn to manufacturing. l think, the
captivity of this impoverished southern
country will not end until there is
change, and like you, that we are on
"dOwn grade and danger ahead"
l came to this county in 1886, married
in 1910. Then and for some years, we
sold as good cotton as can be raised in
this climate, at $50 to $40 per 500 pound
bales, now worth $75 to 800. Provisions
were very cheap 1--WE raised them all
and bought none), goods Of every de-
scriptiOn three or four times higher
than now. I've sold many a yard of
calico at so cents per yard and brown
domestic at 40 cents. The farmers real
ized no money whatever, as now, from
surplus wheat, oats; potatoes, chickens,
butter, eggs, vegetables, &C., all of which
they had in great abundance, still many
had mOney-everybOdy was good for
his contracts. How changed, the times!
In those days farmers went in debt for
land, but worked them out. Now, every
body is in debt, but for provisions, ak,
hammer and hoe handles, fnery and
tom -fOolery.
IF you ali will visit us and ride through
our farms, you will at once be satisfied
that am not looking at the dark side
of the picture" A friendly discussion
of these important questions can do no
harm-may do some good. We, want
our leading men to give us more light"
It is painful for many OF lis who were
once moderately successful farmers, to
see so good a country going to ruin and
to poverty, for assure you there as dan
ger ahead. Our farms are not yielding
us three per cent. interest upon the
amount invested. Can we live at that
rate? think not. But enough for the
present. The above facts are simply
true and may cause some of you to think
and write, and make suggestions.
This is but a simple statement of
facts and presents practical questions
which it is in the power of the people
themselves to solve. Really, we do not
see in such q condition of affairs, any
thing discouraging for the South. 1t is
saying but true one, ''that necessity
is the mother of Invention and it is
equally true that reform and improve
ment. in all departments Of human life
are children of the same parent. Is this
condition of affairs an argument against
"A IL r.
section? On the other hand, taking a
business view Of the situation, is it not
clearly in it's favor? The shrewd finan-
cier invests in the standard stocks when
| untOWaId influences have temporarily
depressed the market value. Is it not
Just as clearly the dictate of common
sense that country ab6unding in natu-
raj resources of mineral ores and water
powers, fertile soil and a genial climate
| is the place to make investments of
money and mind? We say mind because
it is mental force and activity which is
most in demand. There is no crop
raised in the country, which under the
normal conditions incident to other
products of the soil, is so profitable as
cotton. Neither is there a crop raised
which, to the present time has protited
so little by the improvements of mechan-
ical appliance and scientific discovery.
Our correspondent suggests the rene
l'dy for our crippled condition in the
comparison drawn between former times
and the present. The difference be-
tween then and now is apparent to one
who is acquainted with the relative
conditions of society. Then, each fam
Of the spinning wheel and the rattle of
| the hand loom was heard on every plan
tation. Calieoes and domestics, not to
| sneak of finer goods wore heEnnd the