New Orleans Republican., 1875-11-18

A Louisiana Letter to the Boston Post
| The following letter appeared in the Bos
ton Post of late date. 1t is from the pen
of a well known member of the New Or
| leans bar, and not merchant, as the Posl
states. Some OF the statements in the let
ter are in dispute, but as it is hopeful in
tone and we'll written wa consider it well
worth republishing:
New ORLEANS, October 8 1875.
We have had d remarkably healthy sea-
| son, few cases only of yellow fever, but
no epidemic. Everything promises an ac.
| tive condition of things for business this
winter in New Orleans, and am impressed
with the belief that this section of the
| country has arrived now nearly at the turn
| ing point, and that our future is to be pros
porous. There is strong feeling agitating
| this community for the reduction Of taxes
| aud the removal of restraints upon our
commercial affairs. The staple products of
the country yield heavy return tnis year,
and as soon as they come in we may hope
for revival of prosperity among business
men OF all classes | visited the Teche
country recently, and was gratitied to see
how much everything was improved from
the state of things existing there two years
ago, aid if this position of affairs on the
Teche is in any manner criterion for other
sections of the State we are rapidly recOv.
ering from th6 effects of the war.
The truth is, the young men growing up
IN Louisiana, slavery no longer existing,
are compelled to follow industrial pursuits;
while, at the same time, the Uld slave ele-
ment is improving from year to year. and
as they are obliged to care for themselves
and families the freedmen are becoming
industrious and good citizens. When this
al. so nj k,yy 81 -. 4
punctuaily, little fault is found with them
as laborers. In fact. our labor system is
becoming remunerative, both to employers
and employed, and will eventually place
our lands in as good. if not better, position
than before the war. Having the richest
soil in America, yielding with little labor
most abundantly, the lands beirg cheap
and well improved, no State in the Union
opens fairer field for the emigrant from
Europe, or a better investment for capital
OF citizens OF our own country. As an in
stance of property among the colored peo-
pie, l have now lying before me an offer for
cotton plantation, under my &C atrol, from
a negro, formerly a slave: plantation that
was worth before the war over $500, ,O00
and is now valued at 100000 This negro
was brought up on the place. and is now
employed upon it. He offers either to buy
or to lease, and l am informed that he is
able to do either. 1t is certain that he has
In bank over $4,000, and has considerable
money loaned out, and | am informed that
his case is not singular one.
Since saw you last have visited Arkan-
sas, and there again, under the wise and
able management of Governor Garland,
and the laws enacted for iepressing disorder
and pillage, and also for encouraging the
State resources, is a condition of prosperity
that is truly most gratifying to the South
ern man. Garland is a practical and en-
lightened man, and as lawyer he stands
in the foremost rank. Popular with all
parties, whether white or black, he has been
enabled to accomplish great results, and is
a shining example of what can be effected
by an individual with an eye single to the
advancement of the commonwealth he gov
erns.
Ir Louisiana, politicians have done much
to set us back in the march of prosperity
We have not been as fortunate as the people
OF Arkansas, but We have enough of enlight-
ened men here who, think, judging by the
past, see what is necessary in the future.
We may expect no more emeutes, no more
disturbances leading to disruption of the
State government. There s every reason to
believe that Eads will lie successful in
opening the river to commerce, and that
at an early day; and it is evident that
the necessities of commerce will require
the government to establish for the States
poruerlug oE Ine HllBSRSIppl uniform
levee system at the national expense. These |
things accomplished the future greatness
of New Orleans as the commercial mart of |
the Western valley will become problem
atical. Looking at these results, that are |
easily shadowed forth to the most casual |
observer, it becomes evident that the |
present is the moment to he seized by the |
capitalist to invest his money in this city, |
for never again will real estate be pur. |
chased at as low figure.
have thus, my dear sir. thrown together |
a few thoughts on the present condition of |
things here. sec no reason for discourage |
ment; on the contrary, every reason Tor |
hope in the future of this city and State. |
There is great room for improvement in our
government affairs. We have many abuses
to abete. We want more enlightenment in |
officials, more economy in administration; |
but think the signs of the times show that |
the people of the State have now their ewes |
open to the conditions which mar our pros. |
perity and progress, and better days are in |
prospect J.S, ".