The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-02-26

And eloquent with truth and love;
Forgive my doubts-theys sare the last!
Chambers Journal.
To and From the Louisiana Con-
ference.
EDITOR CHIEF:
Having to attend the session of the
Louisiana Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, held at Shreveport,
La, and it being also my first visit to
that city, resolved to noto everything
Of interest that mi ght transpire on the
trip--the manners and customs Of the
people, both white and colored, and to
gain information generally relative to
their condition in that section of the
country. give my observations below
and beg their insertion if you deem them
of interest or benefit to your readers.
We left New Orleans on the steamboat
Maria Louise, January 10, and l am
pleased to say that under direction of
that amiablc and accommodating lady,
Mrs. Brinker, tho Captains wife, no
pains were spared to render the voyage
pleasant. All along the river to Alex
andril members of the Conference were
taken up, and whenever opportunity Of
fere,l, went OIL shore; for instance, at
Port Hickey, Red River Landing, Tram
way, Grand Ecere, Cousl,atta, Colfax,
Campte, and other way landings. At
these places made inquiries and found
the colored people, from some
cause or other, condition of uncasiness
and distrust. The whites seem to rccog-
nize the situation, and express feelings
of sympathy which l hope will mature
into practical relief. The result of my
was, l believe, the removal Of
man" gronntlless fears entertained by
my people all along the line, and think
that the white people can, if they will,
dispcl these fears, and by milder
means and fair treatment cause the col
ore,l people to perminantly settle down
in this part Of tho country, which, in my
opinion, is better adapted to their
we'll being than any other OH the face of
the globe. Conversiny with the whites
l find them disposed to do something to-
wards accomplishing this end.
noticed that many of the coloretl peo-
pie Especially at Shrcveport), are thrift
ty and prosperous land owners, and as
such are found equal to other planters.
This believe to be the true method Ut
harmonizing our people. Indeed, so
great is my conviction on this point that
recommend property owni"g to my peo-
pie as one of the surest ways by which
to ameliorate their condition, distinguish
themselves and to arrive at preferlnent
and greatness.
On our way up, the appearance Of SO
large Il number Of colured men created
some suspicion. Receiving information,
however, that it was the Louisiana Con-
|erence on its way to Shreveport, none
Jailed to show the courtesy and respect
demanded by tile occasion. We landed
At Shreveport after Il voyage Of four days,
and We're met by a concourse of people
who awaited our arrival, and under the
ead of Il committee headed by 1,evs. All
bot and Moulant, we repaired to the St.
James Church and were assigned to
quarters in private families. And let it
be noted, MIR. Editor, to the credit Of
that the hospitality shown
could not be excelled, for the ministers
Jared sumptuously. The Rt. Rev. Cyrus
D. Foss, d. D., L. L. d., our Bishop, ar
lived by train, accompanied ly the Rev.
Dr.. Hartzell, Tuesday, the 25th January,
md on Wednesday, at 81 O'clock A. NJ,
5he Conference was opened by the Bish-
~, assisted by Presiding Elders Hartzell
md Dale. Roll-call showed 4 large at
;endance Of members, and the hour
ixed for daily session was $50 A. NJ Or
sanization was completed by the election
'f Dr.. J. c. Hartzell, assisted by Rev. J.
[. Marshall, Is Secretaries Rev. A. E. p.
Albert, Statistical Secretary, and Rev.
Stephen Priestley, Treasurer. The Bish-
'p, in my opinion, is one of the finest
ypes Of Il man, calm, collected, d,gnitied
md cultured he comes to his work with
Ill the wisdom of 1t wide research and
of Il life devoted to the church.
There is sanctity III his manner which
me can not but venerate and a courtesy