St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-02-18
DestitutEon i'm the Parishes.
ITimcs-Democrat Feb. 10th

Times Democrat Feb. 10TH
We publish this morning an appeal
from the people of North Louisiana
chita, Richland, Franklin, CALDWELL
VIM, Grant and portions of Jackson
and Concordia. This appeal is con-
tanned in the report OF a meeting held
at Columbia, in Caldwell parish, where
at the Hon. Il. d. Bridger presided and
Mr.. j. G. Hiner acted as secretary. The
report sets forth that tie drouth of last
summer destroyed the peoples crops,
and the terrible rains of the past six
weeks are killing their hogs and cattle
thus leaving them well-nigh destitute
of the simplest necessaries of life. We
do not doubt that this statement is in
the main true. Indeed, as long ago as
last fall we called attention to the
threatening condition of things in the
hill parishes of North Louisiana, and
then predicted very much the same suf-
fering and privation as is now declared
and described in the report before us.
There can be no question that the
districts embraced in the appeal are, as
a rule, practically impoverished. They
are the districts chiefly occupied by
small farmers. The lands are not the
most favorable. conditions are far from
abundant. 1t is true that the climate is
salubrious, the seasons mild and the
soil reasonably productive as compared
with other regions of the South but
the past summer was unprecedently Sc
we're upon vegetation, and we are bound
to believe that great deal OF distress
prevails. We happen to know that, in
several of the parishes named in the
report, the people have for months
past been selling their cattle at misera-
bly, low rates-Often as low as $5 per
head and it is not open to controversy
that the inhabitants are in exceedingly
straitened circumstances. We cordial
ly second, thereforesthe appeal of the
people for aid fully believing that aid
is sorely needed to enable them to pass
through the winter and to place them
in position to begin a new season with
fair prospects of success. Whatever
we can say or do to promote this effort,
we shall gladly say or do. We feel sure
ance, and that without it their lot will
be hard indeed. They have been perse-
cuted by adverse seasons since early in
last summer. If some malignant tend
had been in control of the weather dur
ing these seven months, the result
could not have been more utterly disas-
trous and untoward. With the crops
killed, the very grass itself blighted
and shrivelled by a long summer of in
tense heat, and with live stock subject
ed to the deadly effects of severe win
ter, the Inhabitants of the parishes in
question could scarcely be in % more
melancholy plight. They need relief,
and we urgently advocate their claim
thereto.
Having said this much, we may surely
be permitted to add that, in our opinion,
it is not to the Federal government,
but to the people of this State that the |
petition should be addressed. Louisiana,
though she lie far from wealthy, is able
to at least set the example OF practical |
charity where her own people are to be
the objects thereof. 1t would seem to
could hear of suffering and restitution
within the borders of their State, and
yet forward an appeal to the General
for relief without having
made even an effort in that direction.
Such an occurrence would permit the
that the people of the
State are unwilling to contribute sin
gle cent toward the relief of their own
fellow citizens from dire extremity.
This construction we are not prepared
TO sanction, and, hence, we call for
another and a closer inquiry into the
facts OF the case. 1t may not be out of
place to suggest, at the same time, that
,he number mentioned in the document
s excessive. There are not $4,000 peo-
ole in the parishes named, counting ev-
Try human being, and certainly not all
,f these are in destitute circumstances.
The total population of the parishes
lamed is less than 10000, and it is safe
20 estimate the number actually suffer-
ng for food and raiment as being not
more than so per cent OF the whole.
If, therefore, the number of the des-
itute be put at $4,000, and supplies to
eed that number for three months be
made the object of the movement,
lothing better could be possibly done.
The Governor has already instituted an
INQUIRY and will see that every effort is
made to respond to the necessities of
'ur suffering fellow-creatures in the
Iorthern part Of the State. We feel
ure that New Orleans will do her full
|uty in the premises, and, when our
Ome endeav0rs fall short OF the emer-
ency, it will full time to appeal to
ther sources.
COOKING CABBAGE.-We all know
ow disagreeable is the odor OF cab
age or turnips when cooking; so dis
greeable, in fact, that many house.