The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1860-01-25

sts STATE should provide for the equipment OF her
I'm men, in all respects, within herself, so as to be
,1tepepdent, should the hour OF trial come OF all
outside assistance. sovereignty that is incapa-
Msof doing this, or being capable, is under the
u.e,eut circumstances unwilling, is unfit to exercise
sishts Of sovereignty. ] am sure Louisiana will
nsyer prove recreant, hence the generality of my
congratulations. lfmy suggestions are carried
01t the State will be put upon war footing, at a
snall expense, aud will lie prepared to meet any
emergency.
Il would further recommed that the General AS.
sembly pass laws for the encouragement Of domes-
tic industry and enterprise Of every description.
We are nation within ourselves, supcrabundantly
endowed with every element of wealth and great.
ness. provided it is fostered and promoted by the
wisdom gifts Legislation and the skill and industry
ofour citizens.
Several of the slave States have proposed, in a
certain contingency, Congress or convention for
consultation and the adoption of means of mutual
safety. AS the meetingsof such body would vio-
hte no law, infringe no right and might be advan.
tgeous, | recommend that Louisiana meet her
Southern sister States in that or any other body
she may be called upon to participate in 1t would
be manifest dscourtesy in her to refuse to counsel
1.-THE hour Of danger with those whose interests
are Identical with her own.
II has been said, in view of the embittered hos.
fifty of the North to US and the institution of
ssyery, that retaatory measures should beadopted
IN selt-defense. In this there is much reason and
truth, aud if Southern Legislatures can retaliate,
xithoaa violation oflaw, they will be recreant to
their duty if they do not do so. The North. its
population considered, is dependent section Of
the country it exports comparatively nothing of
rs own products, ard imports nearly every thing,
ItHdes on other peoples capital. It lives by the
use OF the products of the South /; without the pa
honage OF the South well nigh universal bank
ruptey would ensue The South importing hardly
ay thing, exports, in fact hreefourths of the pro-
ducts Of the country, which pay the debts Of the
country. Ii the cotton crop Of the South were to
fail, fol single year, there would not be solvent
bank capitalist manufacturer or ship owner in the
entire North. No business man will controyert
this proposition. ~
How are we to retaliate?
Distinguished jurists, men learned in the law,
have expressed the deliberate opinion that the
legislature OF any State can, by system of leens-
ilg or by special taxation, inhet such discriinna
ton upon goods, wen exposed for sale withn their
jurisdiction, as will amount to absolute prohibition.
On this point express no positive opinion, and
only suggest the subject, it having been avorably
mentioned inhigh quarters. Yet, deem it worthy
your consideration, for if you find the proposition
entirely legal and conclude toadoptit, it will have
lbe effect of making New Orleans The largest inn
porting as she is now the largest exporting city on
the continent. State discrimination against every
thing manufactured in those States warning upon
our institutions or imported there and brought
here which would approach the line of prohibition,
would necessarily superinduce direct Importation.
Ineed not dilate upon the immense advantages
which would enure to the State by making New
Orleans the great importing, as she now is the ex-
porting metropolis Of the Union. Size would i'm
medatcly become the center of exchanges, and her
revenues to the treasury, at the present rates Of
taxation, would, in a decade, fur exceed those now
paid by the entire State.
And now, gentlemen, through you, tender to
generous people, thethanks of a grateful heart
ROBERT G. WICKLIFFE.