The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1886-02-27
W
AS Others See Us.

published In the Marion Pilot, Linn Co.,
Iowa, on Dec. 17th, 1885, from gen,
tieman who has settled here, expresses
very truly and faithfully portrayal of
our soil, climate, products, social habits
of our people, &c, and is calculated TO
disabuse the minds of many northern
and western people of errors which pre-,
vious irresponsible and untluthful wr-
ters have said about our section and our
citizens. We are glad to say that the
Dissertation of the Sabbath day alluded
to by this correspondent has been RENE
died. The Supreme Court reversed its
previous decision which declared the
Sunday Law unconstitutional, and have
declared it constitutional. Now all
stores, groceries, saloons, etc, are closed
on Sunday, and nothing is allowed to
be sold except medicines and bread.
Of the people of Opelousas aud
vicinity, we have, after two months
acquaintance and social intercourse,
had no occasion to change our opinion
from that formed last winter, and so
frequently expressed at home. We
were received as if we had been old
friends, and all seem anxious to do
what they eau to make US contented
and happy in our new home And
right here let me caution our Marion
friends not TO waste their sympathy on
US for moving into, and settling among
a boorish and uncivilzed people. Of
the ladies who have called on us, my
wife says she has never met or enter
tanned more genteel, refined aud ip-
telligent class in any town or city, north
OF east Another item in our observa
tioD, no one appears to be inquisitive
as to our financial standing. The Al.
mighty dollar which is SO potent in set
ting the social status at the North, does
not seem SO all powerful here, else /
have failed to correctly judge of APP
pearanees.. We cannot but be more
than satisfied with our friends here and
shall believe them sincere in their
proffered kindness i and reciprocate
cheerfully and heartily. We don't be-
lieve any more, in the social dstracisnl
of any class of people al the South, on
account OF birth place, political opin-
ions, or ueligion; provided they de
mean thehb selves as good citizens, and
are interested i'll promoting the gencr.
al welfare of the people with whom
they mingle. There is one feature OF
the social and moral. as we'll as reli'
gious status of this community that i'm
presses every Northerner very un
favorably, and is apt to chill the feeling
of admiration for this beautiful country
aud climate, in the estimation of thu
Christian OF religious mau. The Sab
bath is habitually desecrated by thu
saloon interest, and many of the stores
are open and do a thriving trade. This
state of things il greatly deplored by
all the better class, but unfortunately
the Sunday law was pronounced un
constitutional by their supreme court !
few years ago, and at present the,
have no legal remedy.
The principle products at present ar
sugar, cotton. corn and rice, but | SCI
no reason why oats, barley, rye, whea
and clover will not grow equally well
The yield per acre as reported to me is
sugar from one to two hogsheads an'
Ii to barrels per acre. Cotton from
IL bales corn 30 to 100 bushels oat
40 to 30 bushels. Irish potatoes gro,
well and two crops year is the rule
Sweet potatoes arc the standard vege
table here occupying about the sam
place in the culinary department as th
irish potato at the North. All kinds 9
garden truck can he raised aud be lii,
fresh from the field almost every mont
ID the year. Small fruits, exceptiu
the currant aud raspberry are repofte
to grow abuudantiy. Peaches, pri.r'
oranges, gigs, grapes, apiicots, ounce
and many other kinds are a success S
far as tried.