Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-03-26
Interesting Southern Letter.

Christian, Miss, writes the following
letter to p. III. Jeardeau of Platte
vile, which will surely prove inter.
esting to majority OF the Tribune
readers:
Dear Friend: We are still in this
hallowed precinct. My health is
better and worse, as it is sunshiny
or rainy OF late we have been hav-
ing u great deal of rain.
This is distinctively II southern
city, the colored race predominating
and from all outward appearance
they are going to predominant for
all time, for they multiply one hum
dred fold faster than the whites.
The laws Of this and other southern
states require the colored voter to
read and eXpound tie Constitution
of the United States and in addition
to pay IA cash poll tax of 81. Only a
few of them even attempt to do this,
except at the instigation of some
white leader. 1t is a strange expert
ence to us. AS rule the colored peo-
pie are insolent, shiftless and immor-
al; the only kind of work they care
to do is catch oysters, team, or act as
body servants to the aristocrats.
When we talk about social equality,
there is absolutely no such thing,
north or south, and never will be.
We went to Mardi Gras at New
Orleans last week and had fiue-
time, only it was too big for me.
There We're twenty-five boats at the
wharf soliciting passengers for a
short pleasure trip on the river. Some
of these were small river crafts, some
larger and some ocean steamers,
among them the "TeXas," that fig
ured in the Spanish war, the "Strang-
err" the "Pansy," the New South"
and others. Commodore Schley,
Fighting Joe Wheeler and Col. Nc
Clure, the journalist, were on the
Stranger" and received great ova-
tions. Miss Roosevelt and Mrs. Root
were on the "Pansy." They also re-
ceived great ovation. We were on
the New South" quite Il large and
respectable craft with eight hundred
passengers on board-no one seemed
to know we were there. A bout noon
the boats pulled out, and taking po-
sitions assigned, steamed down the
river with an immense amount of
flags and bunting, ringing of bells,
blowing o. whistles and firing of
cannons. We went down past the
Jackson Barracks, where Gen. Jack
son defeated the English Gen. Pack
imam in 1916, and down past the dry
docks. There we met the ship
stranger" with King Rex and re-
tinuc on board. 1t was u very impos-
ing sight. Our squadron then REFORM
ed and returned to the city, having
gone down the river some ten miles.
We got our dinner on the boat and
was served with an excellent meal,
with music for a relish, in dining
saloon one hundred feet long with
elaborate decorations.
About 2:30 p. m. the squadron
reached the city and the immense
procession was formed, the king and
the officers leading, with the most
costly and beautiful regalia ever
seen IN this quaint old city. After
the king came the military and civ
il societies, city officials, etc., and
following these the mob, the crowd
altogether numbering about one
hundred thousand. and / desire new
er to see another of equal magnitude.
New Orleans il many respects is
the peer of any city in the world,
The Board of Trade, Cotton EX-
change, Sugar Exchange and Others
are very imposing structures. such
immense quantities of sugar, cotton,
molasses and rice never were equal
ed. ] think these things together
with the negroes and mules, wonder
full sights to strangers.
II ere at Pass Christian the country
is low, the soil a deep sandy loan
and the streets are dry few min
utes after rain. The climate is fine,
no snow or 'ce, no cold weather. One
morning when you were having it so
cold in Wisconsin the thermometer
dropped to 26 degrees above zero
here, that being the coolest here for
many years and it was only so for
one morning. Today it is 10 degrees
above.
There is great opportunity here for
fishing and catching oysters and ev-
eryone is perfectly free to engage in
this past time. The darkies are par
ticulariy fond of the sport, also of ice
and whiskey. This city is on the very
brink of the Gulf of Mexico and a
most lovely spot to spend time. Tour
| lists from the north come here in
| winter and from the south in sum-
mer, so there are tourists here the
/ raar rouu1