Dayton Daily Empire

New Orleans Correspondence.

New Orleans, Dec. 21, '59.

Editor Empire:--If you have ever travelled down the Mississippi in the gorgeous splendor of December--the Indian Summer of the South--you will perhaps be surprised to learn that sleet and snow followed us until we entered the limits of Louisiana. It was, indeed, remarkable weather for this climate--the coldest known for 20 years: but below Natchez "the chill December" of northern latitudes suddenly melted away beneath the power of the tropical sun; and leaving behind us icy banks and cheerless shores, we entered the region of orange groves, sugar plantations, and every green forests. The scenery here everywhere reminded one of latter autumn; the genial atmosphere diffused a pleasant languor through the system and all life seemed like a faint dying day dream. It was daybreak on Sunday when our boat made the wharf at New Orleans. And a fitting day it was to be introduced into this Babel of all languages under the sun,-- Sunday is the great day for amusement and pleasuring in this city; and at the suggestion of a friend, we made a visit to the Old French Market before breakfast.

It was well worth our while, for one of the uninitiated will behold a scene which beggars all description. All nations, languages, kindreds, tongues, and people mingle together in promiscuous confusion, crowding against each other and yet giving way with all the politeness characteristic of the south. It is amusing to take a position near a stand, that of a fruit vender for instance, and listen to him, as he plies his wares, with a kind of natural instinct, he divines the tongue and nation of the passers and accommodating himself thereto will use a dozen different languages in quick succession. English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese are used as readily as if each were the mother tongue and with a rapidity that is really astonishing.

I think that almost every northern man will be deceived in New Orleans at first sight. He will have had previously a vague undefined idea that yellow fever and murder run riot, and that any stranger who is so fortunate as to escape one, is sure to fall a victim to the other. When he first lands, the narrow, muddy streets, filthy gutters, and suspicious, tumble down houses near the wharf will strengthen the impression, but after he has remained a few days, becomes acquainted with the people and accommodates himself to their peculiarities, he will come to the conclusion, that this is one of the most agreeable cities to reside in, in the Union. The people are not all after the almighty dollar, and a stranger may demand a gentleman's attention from business, at any time, and for almost any purpose without fear of giving offence. To be sure at this time when the Helpers, Browns and other crazy fanatics are abusing and insulting southern men and southern institutions, it is almost impossible for a northern man to inspire confidence; but it is their own section of the country that they have to blame for it. I know several young men from Ohio who have come south to engage in business, and have found it the part of prudence to withhold their recommendations and say nothing about their place of residence. I do not blame southerners for the course they are pursuing, for it is but a fair retaliation upon the conduct of the north and the doctrines there promulgated. The system of utter proscription on the part of the south toward the north might bring about what reasoning and entreaty has hitherto failed to accomplish.

Nowhere have I found Douglas to be the first choice of the southern people, for President. Each state generally prefers a statesman of its own; as for instance Mississippi puts forward Jefferson Davis, and Georgia, A. H. Stephens. But in case they cannot carry their own man, they are for Judge Douglas invariably. If he can get a fair support from the north and present a respectable delegation which will stick to him to the latter end, his nomination is morally certain. But they must be strongly united and stand by him first and last. It is the general impression here that he will make the best run of any Democrat in the Union; and besides, the attacks of the Administration and the Washington Constitution upon him, have created a surprising sympathy in his favor. The more I see of the south, the more thoroughly I am convinced that no man advocating the sentiments of the Black Republican party will be acknowledged as President by the people of this section of the Union. There is a deep seated feeling, a determined hostility toward their tenets which cannot be overcome. The next election will sound the death knell of that party, or will result in a disturbance of the peace of the country.