The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-02-09
LETTER FROM NEW ORLEANS.


To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
1 had fully intended to address you
long ere this, but your own experiences
in the chances of changes will, am
sure, incite you to generous forbear-
anee.
The details of our travelling and set
Ting were of course not in the ordinary
line, as ours is not an ordinary work,
especially in this city. There is here
large field to cultivate, and the pecu-
liarly constituted public opinion must
be carefully dealt with in order to en-
sure even partial or future success. It
is, as you know, vitality necessary to the
success Of woman that no offense be
given to sticklers for ancient customs
and landmarks before q favorable i'm
preston of what virtuous, intelligent,
executive women can do and yet retain
the graces of true womanliness. 1 am
inclined to think that those who have
so unfavorably and falsely represented
wOman's work in this city Victoria
Woodruff and DR.. Mary Walker) will
in the end prove benefit by compari-
son. We have only to patiently bide
our time.
New Orleans seems to me to be about
twenty years behind the Northern cities
in progress and development. Espec-
tally is this noticeable when compared to
New York. There are no literary or
ganizations, Young Mems Christian As
sociations, or medical societies here; this
am Informed is the result of the war.
God grant that in the future gentle
Peace may control and develop all our
land. Certainly we have the natural
resources of mighty nation, and in this
the fair domain that blooms beneath
southern skies is not behind that which
lies in more northern latitudes. 1t is
sad to think that the passions and sell
fishness of men have laid waste and
made desOlate the broad fair fields,
proud cities and thriving villages that
dwell with eternal summer.
AS contemplate the condition of the
whole country, it seems to me that If all
the zeal of parties could be combined
and tempered by honesty of purpose
and ennobled by loyalty to humanity, we
should soon cease to hear the rumbling
sounds of dark discord aud the wailing
cry of famishing multitudes. Then
would commerce and agriculture
quicken into life, and the vast resources
of the North, South, East, and West
would be called forth, and in the peace
full interchange the desolation that has
long encompassed portions Of the nation
ans peaceful councils are needed to help
, in this mueh-desired issue. The "tal-
, ent' given to her renders her by nature
great pacifcator, but custom compels
her to let it lie rusting in napkin.
Personally am quite disappointed in
/ my experience of the "sunny South" :"
. In fact, the ''sunny" portion has thus
. far proved a myth, as the present is the
4 eoldest winter that has visited these lat
tudes for years. We have been obliged
= to provide ourselves with heavy flannels
. and keep fire in the CRATE in order to
be comfortable in our rooms. The air
seems to be penetrating, chilly, and de-
h pressing, entirely unlike the sharp, ex-
hilarating cold of the North.
:, The political conditions of the city
!. have also had a depressing influence,
), and have for some time caused a COM
!, plete stagnation in business.
q Every one with whom L have con-
. versed recognizes the need OF women
4. physicians, and patience and persever'
, ance will no doubt secure for these in
II time lucrative practice, here as well al
F. elsewhere.
IN I congratulate you on the success o.
% your poem, and hope all your future ef
forts may be equally as fortunate.
will wait the results of the clearing
p away of present political derangementl
II and will then hope to have the pleasure
~ Of enjoying your brain IOork.
, Hoping that the New Year may bring
a to yourself, your family, and your Ia
,s bors abundant prosperity, am yours
sincerely, MARY F. MANN, NJ. D.
b New Orleans, December 20, 1876.