New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-16

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kosEDAIE, Iberia Parish, April IL, 1875.
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The State. authorities found it necessary
to lesve such outlets a. MosgaDzs open, il
order to secure the leyees below from tot
great pressure. This douStless was wist
asd unavoidable, and though hard upon
those affected by the waters Of such out
let's, 1t was best for the alluvial lauds - .
whole. This last resort would Overflow
and utterly ruin our district Of Pointe
Coupee and Iberville, extending from
about two miles above the mouth of the
Ferdoche downward about eighteen miles
along the west bank Of the Crosse Tete
and both banks Of the Maringouin, were
it not for our desperate efforts for self
protection. Though reduced to almost
want by the food of 1874, which found
and broke through tho weak points
Of our line Of local levees. We have
with the aid Of only 500 from
merchsnts in New Orleans, in repairing
old and building new levees and dyking,
put up equivalent to from fourteen to six.
teen miles OF new levees three feet high.
These works will ehectually protect real
estate valued in 1860. for sale on private
terms, at nearly $4,000 900 from any such
overflow ~ we have ever seen. Nor.
ganza is, however, slowly and steadily
pouring in upon US, and from ell &C
counts of SHOWS in the Northwest it's
waters will press against our levee until
July or August. Our means are all
exhausted, and We are compelled to work
in our fields in order to get supplies of neces
sary food. We are already in debt for work
done, and there are long lines running in
front of unsccupied places which must be
cared for by hired labor. Again there are
threats, and not idle ones, of outing certain
points in hopes that if overlooked, private
and government charity will feed the un.
fortunate. Fortunately there are but few
such low, malicious spirits. still they tax us
heavily in guarding against their malice.
Our people, both white and colored, have
struggled to take care Of themselves and
have done more such public work than in
any one year of fash ante war times. We
wish never again to be a burden to public
or private charity, but to bear our share in
the support of our State. To do this we
now require aid, and aid such a.
We feel justly due us, and such a. will not
humiliate and demoralize, as charity often
does; but such as will make US feel that we
have government that appreciates the
justice of an appeal; sud such az, instead
of the hopeless despair, to which We will be
driven by the cold neglect Of telling us I'VE
must take care of ourselves" will inspire
US with the cheerful courage of those who
feel that their interests are cared for by 9
fostering government.
Now, We appeal to you, as one of the pow
ers in the land to urge the justice Of our
cause before the special session of the
Legislature, and to secure US that prompt
aid we now need.
1t may be urged that this will be special
session for considering special measures of re-
form. and the introduction Of this will open
foodgate of petitions for relief that will
protract the session for weeks. Grant that
it may be SO. If such petitions be for just
measures of relief. that will keep the petit
TONERS from ruin, want and being Q
burden to the State, and will secure
them prosperity, plenty, and as an aid to
the State, let them pour in. Let measures
Of relief for the people take the place of
those Tor parties and part;sans, and we will
soon have peace, harmony and prosperity.
Relief. If it comes, should come promptly.
The tide of overflow waits for no man, and
this relief should be cheerfully accorded to
those who are struggling to save themselves
from the dangers to which they are exposed
for the safety of others, and cheerfully.
rendered by those for whose
safety We are exposed to danger.
Respectfully, etc., H.
P. S-You might suggest that some of us
shout 60 to your city and advocate our own
cause, but onr best men ara required in the
field of danger now, and we must trust
our case to friends at court. Again,
We require every dime for food and levee
work. instead of spending it in travelling
and board. H