The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-31
A FRIGHTENING PROSPECT,

For long time past the press of both city
and country have been urging upon those OF
our citizens who find it difficult to make
comfortable livelihood in the city, the pro-
priety Of moving into the country and oecom-
ing rather producers than consumers. Inc
number of persons out Of employment IN the
city during the last few years has been al
most incredible, and yet there have been
very many who have seemingly preferred to
Toll about our city, doing almost nothing
and living from hand to mouth, than
10 90 into the country and set
fla down to honest hard work, even
though by 70 doing they could secure COM
Portable and independent livelihood, whereas
in the city they have barely deserved the title OF
"shabby genteel" Niddle-aged men, whose
business prospects had become shattered,
have been content to struggle on, almost hope
iessly, barely earning the absolute necessities
of life; young, active men, who were Wiling
and anxious to work, but finding no work to
do, have spent their time idling about town.
Nicawber like, waiting for something 10 turn
nm. rather than 90 into the country and be-
come hard working farmers. The supply OF
labor of all kind in the city has been much
greater than the demand. while in the
eountrv, rich lands have been lying idle walt
ing for honest industry to make them thrive.
Immense wealth has laid hidden III the rich
alluvial soil of our country parishes, needing
lint the merest effort to bring it forth. and yet
men, men capable of reason and apparently
oossessed Of high sense of pride, have been
content to struggle on here barely keeping
MP respectable appearance, rather than
stretch out their hands to grasp the bright
nromises held out to them by the rich soil OF
sur country parishes, conditioned merely on
Abe expenditure Of reasonable amount OF
honest industry.
We are glad, however, to note that OF late
something of revulsion has taken place IN
popular feeling in respect to this matter.
We have learned of several families lately who,
after thorough review Of the entire matter,
have moved permanently into the country,
fully convinced that comfortable homes and
robust health awaited them there Letters
received from these families by their friends,
contain glowing accounts of the prospects IN
tbe parishes, and earnest efforts are made by
them to induce all who are not absolutely
settled here, to follow their example at once.
A moments reflection will show that there is
both reason and policy in the matter.
Oar city must depend in very great meas
IRE upon the country for the amount and
quality of its business, and if, instead OF va
can't idle lands, we had farms well cultivated,
and all producing even what is known as
average crops, the cry Of hard times would
soon be drowned by the hum OF industry IN
the country and the busy noise OF commerce
in the city; and the glad tidipgs OF return
ing prosperity would soon resound through
out our State like a great echo of redemption.
Prominent among those who have OF late
migrated to the country we learn that many
are newly married couples, who, right sensi-
bly,, argue that the best way OF beginning
life together in earnest is to go where there is
some prospect of reaping proud and comfort
able independence, by earnest and we'll
timed labor. We trust that this newly given |
impetus to the movement country-ward may |
be kept up, and as the advantages Of the
move become known and appreciated. we feel
sure the whole State, city and country, will
have cause for general and sincere gratlhca-
hon at the result.