New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-17
w-Reproduction OF Crops.

| Ever-Amen.
| Overflow-Re productiou OF Crops.
New ORLEANS, May IA, 1874.
EDITOR REPUBLICANS:
Now that the delugs of waters has
already capped the climax of previous over
flows in our State, and has commenced
receding, though but little shrinking of its
| mighty volume, withdrawing suiienly and
slowly, vet hope, with reckoning hands,
begins to be seen and felt. And 1t is true
that the immediate direful effect that has
been produced by the present overflow on
so large pOrtiOn-comprisiDg as 1t does
| nearly all the alluvial lands of the State
has been, and is, much mitigated and re-
lieyed by the prompt and generous munl1-
cence Of the government. and the no less
nor less prompt, warm-hearted and noble
munifcence of the different cities, charches,
and humane and sympathizing citizens all
over our great country, which Is well cal
cuated, and no doubt does, inspire every
| heart in Louisiana with gratitude and
| thankfulness.
Yet our troubles and distress from the re-
suits of the present overflow are not ended,
| and the worst is not yet come unless the
same be provided for by the continuation
of the saane munifcence, both by the gov
eminent and the people True, the suffering
| are to- day being satisfied with bread and
meat, and the waters are Withdrawing, and
| it is equally true that to day the waters are
vet over the best alluvial lands in the State
at depth from one to six feet the fencing
| all gone, houses washed away in many in
J stances: the labOrers and occupants OF the
| lands gathering moss and willow leaves to
feed and keep alive their mules and horses;
they thin and haggard from long starva-
| ton, for l know OF hundreds of instances
myself that the pillow stock have now been
| kept alive the last six or eight weeks by
| the gathering of moss and willow leaves
| by the laborers and proprietors of planta-
| tiOns. This is entirely the case on all of
| Black, the lower part Of the Ouachita, Ten
sas and Little rivers.
Now, this does not look much like repro
ducing-even when the water leaves. These
people, in all that part of our State re-
terred to, are not able, now, nor neither
| will they be able to feed their pillow stock.
They must have corn and hay-unless we
can procure provender for the work ami
mals-and provisions for the people. The
only basis Of credit that the people can
present is the probabilities of forthcoming
crop; and. of course. considering the late-
ness OF the season and other unfavOrable
circumstances, looks hazardous. Our mer-
chants. who have always been liberal in
advancing on the production OF crops, from
many unfavorable circumstances, are I'M
able to take the risk now. Their indulgence
and liberality to planters and farmers in
our State for many years past have long
since made them distinguished as a COM
mercial class.
The light crops of last season on the al.
luvial lands and unanticipated low price OF
cotton from our financial distress and dis
rup ion, have left our farmers, particularly
in the OyerhOwed districts, in debt, and in
corresponding manner crippled our com
mission merchants, and they are now I'M
able to come to our rescue with advances,
to feed the teams and the people. And
from these causes, the results and effects of
distressing than any preceding flood.
Now, what we want is reproduction of
crops. A half crop may yet be made of
cotton, and perhaps whole crop of corn
and peas, If the bud worm should not de-
stroy the corn. All and every interest Is
deeply concerned in the assuring of crop
this year. Our ability, as general thing,
to pay taxes and live depends entirely on
the production of annual crops. Oar people,
or the farming or planting classes, never
have laid up money. They have always
been accustomed to receive supplies to
make crops by advances from the commits
sion merchants OF New Orleans, and nv
pothecate their crops. A very unthritty
manner OF living, admit; but, nevertheless,
true.
The relief committee here composed of
some of the best men land gentlemen, too.
having large material interests in the CITY
and STATED, in this or any other community,
are distributing with zeal and industry
provisions and supplies generally to the
distressed and suffering all over the State.
But their means are too limited, and can
only so far apply to the present wants of a
suffering and halt famished people. But it
a nj
ger and sustaining life. But what ia now
addressing itself to the thoughtful is how
we are yet to make crop; how we are to
iced the teams and the people when the
water has withdrawn. Ii a crop is not
made on the lands in the owerhowed dis |
trlets this year, the people who are now oc-
cupying these lands will still have to be
1ed, and no increased ability realized, or
these people will have to seek an ASYLUM
and employment elsewhere, and the fairest
and most fertile portions OF our State be-
come wilderness and desOlate.
The truth Is we must reproduce and thesa
valuable farming lands must be preserved.
these to-day mutllated plantations must be |
rented and reconstructed from the effects |
OF the waters and crop assured The life |
anu energy OF the State require it. The |
business interests OF the city require it. |
And humanity demands that the people |
ana teams on those lands should be sup. |
pned. The citizen owes allegiance first to !
the government. The government owes |
protection of life, liberty and property to |
tne people Life is not worth much with |
OUT hoerty, and liberty not much without |
means of subsistence. A severe affiiction
mas overtaken the best part of our State |
and hangs over it and the peo,le like a |
funeral pail. We want now provender for
T T6rk stock and supplies for the people
Inc government, under the circumstanras
should and certainly will provide these
means, 50 that the people can become re-.
!ieved from permanent pauperism. and
these fair lands be made capable Of repro.
part OF our population. 90
cotton Is to-day, and long has been. the
oasis OF our national exchange; its pro.
ducIlon and reproduction furnishes home
= IA sa1s best market in the world-for
rain T nr anI consumption of the surplus of |
OF the varied production and articles of Tho