Elsewhere I have spoken of the region bordering the lower portion of the Great River of the West, which includes Louisiana and Mississippi.  In the former State, sugar and cotton are the great products.  In the latter, cotton is the chief object of attention.  It is quite probable that the change from slavery to freedom may necessitate the division of the large plantations into farms of suitable size for cultivation by persons of moderate capital.  If this should be done, there will be a great demand for Northern immigrants, and the commerce of these States will be largely increased.

Early in July, of the present year, after the dispersal of the Rebel armies, a meeting was held at Shreveport, Louisiana, at which resolutions were passed favoring the encouragement of Northern migration to the Red River valley.  The resolutions set forth, that the pineries of that region would amply repay development, in view of the large market for lumber along Red River and the Mississippi.  They further declared, that the cotton and sugar plantations of West Louisiana offered great attractions, and were worthy the attention of Northern men.  The passage of these resolutions indicates a better spirit than has been manifested by the inhabitants of other portions of the Pelican State.  Many of the people in the Red River region profess to have been loyal to the United States throughout the days of the Rebellion.

The Red River is most appropriately named.  It flows through a region where the soil has a reddish tinge, that is imparted to the water of the river.  The sugar produced there has the same peculiarity, and can be readily distinguished from the sugar of other localities.

Arkansas is quite rich in minerals, though far less so than Missouri.  Gold abounds in some localities, and lead, iron, and zinc exist in large quantities.  The saltpeter caves along the White River can furnish sufficient saltpeter for the entire Southwest.  Along the rivers the soil is fertile, but there are many sterile regions in the interior.  The agricultural products are similar to those of Missouri, with the addition of cotton.  With the exception of the wealthier inhabitants, the people of Arkansas are desirous of stimulating emigration.  They suffered so greatly from the tyranny of the Rebel leaders that they cheerfully accept the overthrow of slavery.  Arkansas possesses less advantages than most other Southern States, being far behind her sisters in matters of education and internal improvement.  It is to be hoped that her people have discovered their mistake, and will make earnest efforts to correct it at an early day.

A story is told of a party of strolling players that landed at a town in Arkansas, and advertised a performance of “Hamlet.”  A delegation waited upon the manager, and ordered him to “move on.”  The spokesman of the delegation is reported to have said: 

“That thar Shakspeare’s play of yourn, stranger, may do for New York or New Orleans, but we want you to understand that Shakspeare in Arkansas is pretty ——­ well played out.”