Year: 1874

EDITOR REPUBLICANS:


This letter shall open with joyful news,
however it may close. The waters have,
for the most part, subsided, and our plant
ers are again at work. They, the planters,
are vigorous and active, but lack resources,
being crippled financially by the disaster of
the overflow, and the consequent deprecia-
ton of their credit on account of the pre-
vailing belief among business men that the
levees bordering the parish are insecure,
and will remain SO until the general gov
ernment takes action in the matter.


The laborers unite with the planters in
earnest efforts to make at least partial
crop. They seem to feel that community
of interest exists and are ready to perform
all duties incumbent upon them. With
this accord of sentiment existing, it is un-
necessary for me to add that there is no
mention of a White League. As both
whites and blacks desire to make the best
of their sad condition they cooperate most
heartily. The result Is that both races for
get political differences when labor is in
question. There is some talk of politics, OF
course but that don't come in till the day 3
labor is done. Looking to the main result,
as foreshadowed by present talk, it would
appear that all hands are strenuOusly bent
upon electing the very best men both for
local and State offices. The Republican
party, far from losing ground, is gaining
strength from day to day. A large number
OF influential white citizens have become
convinced that the interests of their sec
ton and of the whole country can be best
secured by fighting under the Republican
banner. The col0red people Of the parish,
though divided at present as to their
choice of candidates, will, when nomina-
tions are made, support unanimously the
ticket


OF course, there's will be opposition, and
skirmishing has already begun. The Re-
publicans have already fired the first gun
at big meeting in the upper part OF the
parish.


So much for political news, and now for
general items. Rev. Father Vandermore,
the Catholic priest of this parish, leaves on
Monday for Europe on q business trip. He
v Ill be absent some time, and unless the
parish is supplied from the diocese of Or
leans, the church here will be vacant for a
long time to come. The residents here are
mostly all Catholics, and it is earnestly
hoped that they may soon be furnished a
pastor.


The levees are in sorry condition,
the receding of the river rendering
caving imminent in several places.
1t is to be hoped, however, that
aid will come before another rise of
the river takes place. The planters and
labOrers have done all they could to stop
the devasting flood. When the crevasse
was threatened, fences were torn down,
houses stripped of planking to face and
prop the levees. Work was kept up night
and day, but without avail. Now the fields
are laid waste, the crops destroyed and the
resources of the planters completely gone.


Concerning the distribution OF the sup
plies sent by the relief committee Of your
city, your correspondent has heard of nc
rational complaint. 1t is true few sore
heads inveigh against Colonel Morrison
the agent of the committee at this point
but on inquiry it appears that Colonel
Morrison has been fair and impartial.
If not considered dictatOry. it might be
suggested to the committee that should
they lessen the supplies, an increase in the
amount of seed furnished would be mos
acceptable, and in the end most profitable
to the community and the whole State.
q. P