The Opelousas courier., 1886-01-16
An 1owan on louisiana.
n. 0. States .

n. O. States.
A most important article appears in
the Shenandoah Post, published in Page
county, Iowa, from the pen of Hon.
| James McCabe, of that State, who has
lately made a tour Of inspection through
Southwest Louisiana, The significance
| of his impressions, which are circulated
throughout that enterprising section. is
emphasized by an extended editorial
comment, filled with such generous
comment as the following paragraph
"It would be a good thing for the
South and for the North if the tide of
| migration could be turned to the South.
reclaiming its untitled lands and putting
the vigor of new life into the veins of
its discouraged people"
| Mr. McCabe claims to have studied
the people, their characteristics, institu-
tions and dispositions, as we'll as the
soil, climate, products and transporta-
ton facilities of the country, and says
of the liberality of public opinion pre-
vailing, that Northern men may here as
freely and as safely as in Iowa express
their sentiments. So far as manage
! ment is concerned, he adverts TO the
credit system, which is greatly abused,
! and says that the wonder is not that q
country conducted by these methods is
so poor, but that it exists under them at
all He declares that our people have
made the mistake of attempting to run
| too large farms. and that too great re-
lance is placed on single crop, bread
stuffs and meats being imported from
the North.
Referring to Bayou Teche and the
adjacent country, he says: "Here,
bordering this beautiful stream, are
! plantations of unsurpassed fertility.
upon which can be grown almost any
agricultural product of Iowa, besides
the staples Of this country, sugar, cot
ton, tobacco and rice, together with a
great variety of fruits +"
He says of these lauds that intrinsic
ally they are worth two hundied dollars
per acre, and would iu the hands of
Northern people command that figure.
The region extending through the
parishes of ST. Landry, Lafayette, Ibe-
ria aud Vermillion is scarcely less fer
tile than the lands bordering the Teche.
This section, Mr.. McCabe says, resem-
bles Very closely the most favored prai,
ries of Illinois and Iowa. He was
struck by the extensive long naved
pine forest IN the northwestern part of
St. Landry, and the western aud north
ern parts of Calcasieu, affordiDg 'tmost
excellent and cheap lumber He bears
testimony tn the abundance OF fine
oak growth, and to cypress swamps of
vast value.
He speaks of the climate of that sec
tion us perfect, aud says that the air
has !. delicious softness that must be ex-
perienced to be realized. He alludes to
the fact that in summer 1t is always
J cool in the shade, and that the nights
are delightful, being famed by a sea
breeze. Mr.. McCabe declares that in
the past few years some three hundred
Northern. people have settled in this
country, and are delighted with the
change.
The letter is written with a genuine
enthusiasm, aud the tempting manner
in which he details the fertility, the
climatic excellence, and the civilization
of our people is bound to excite pow
erful interest in the spirit of immigra-
ton. Such testimony, proclaimed by
Northern man to bis own people, is
sure of respectful consideration,
The dissemination of such well ac-
credited reports of the advantages of
our section, is, perhaps, the most i'm
portant purpose subserved by our Ex-
position, and the publication of such
valuable descriptions of the resources
of our soil should awaken new inter
est In the Exposition, and point to the
Importance of making every visitor or
ardent believer in the capabilities of our
country, aud an advertiser to other Sec
tions of the vast possibilities of devel-
opment.
Mr.. McCabe's investigation, fruitful
, as it has been of good, was restricted
] to an agricultural section. We should
have this inquiry of the fair spirit o.
| Northern enterprise directed also e
those other portions Of North Louisiana
where mineral wealth is awaiting ez.
ploration and development.
The conclusion of Mr.. McCabe's let
ter is an encouraging augury of new
stimulus to that interest which the ap.
! preciative people of the country mus
! take in d section SO rich.
He conld see no climatic difficulties
+ no race embarrassments, no govern
mental OH social arrangement which
should check the speedy tide of immi
grafton to this section. The rills which
such faithful portraiture of our sec
tion starts, if continued, will soon turl
enterprise TO Louisiana iii a mighty
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