New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-01-19

propose to wage upon us The numbers actively
engaged i'll il were insignificant; but when we
take into consideration that they committed the
crimes Of treason and murder, and were provided
to equip with arms for the work Of death several
thousand slaves or other eonfederates: that the
general press and people, Of the extreme North on
mufderers. and solicited their pardon. we cannot
close our eyes e the nauspicious condition of af-
\ fairs.
The State Of Virginia has nobly indicated her
laws and brought the traitors TO condign punish-
ment. This is gratifying, although it was nothing
more than was to be expected from tie proud old
mother of sages and statesmen. But. whilst we
acknowledge and commend nh this. is there not
something more than words required from tile less
l exposed slayeholling Statesg The battle for our
rights, aud in defense Of our institutions is to be
fought must be fought, in the border States where
| slavery exists. II would be cowardice ns rgall as
penuriousness, to leave them to fight the battle
alone, which in more than one sense is our battle
I as much as theirs; we should give them actual
/ sympathy, positive support. Virginia, slavehold-
1 ing border State has been invaded The SOW
4 ereignty OF Virginia has been properly yindicated
| by Virginia. To do this she asked needed no AZ.
sistance. But it cost her money to crush and
! puash the enemies of the South. To assure her,
as well the other border slave States Of the az
| tive cooperation of Louisiana to show them that
| we recognize their cause as our cause, | recon-.
mend the immediate appropriation by the Legsla-
ture OF 20 ,ooo as louisiana quota toward these
expenses, accompanied by a solemn pledge that
our State will stand by her sister Southern states
to the utmost extent of the men and means she ~
command, IN any course they may see proper to
! adopt to secure our Constitutional rights.
Having as briefly as possible glanced AZ
affairs as they exist, it may be expected that I
should suggest some remedy. 1t is said that there
Il cure for All Ills whether there is cure for
the fanatielsm which afficts the Northern portion
OF the country ! have my doubts Unless its
course be checked there can be no restoration az
that good feeling between tile two sections which is
the only hope for the preservation of the Union in
n
be confronted and beaten back; his approach
| must not be waited for; that, in my opinion.
would be ruinous. believe it has been the fault
OF the South from the beginning: had we never
compromised away a constitutional right. We
would not be situated as we now are
recommend q complete reorganization Of the
militia. Pass law Sc clear, stringent ana com
prehensive that evasion would be impossible.
which would compel the formation and tlril of one
or more volunteer companies in proportion to Don
alation, in every parish in the State Let the State
provide them with arms and establish armories.
The State should provide for the equipment of her
OWN men. in all respects, within herself, SO DIS to
be independent, should the hour of trial come, of
all outside assistance. A sovereignty that is in.
capable OF dong this or being capable, is, under
the present circumstances unwilling, is unfit 10
exercise rights OF sovereignty. ! am sure Louis
lana will never prove reereant, hence the general
ity of my recommendations. Ii my suggestions
are carried out, the State will be put upon a war
footing, at q small expense, and will be prepared
to meet any emergency.
I would further recommend that the General
Assembly pass laws for the encouragement of
domestic industry and enterprise of every descrip-
ton. We are nation within ourselves supera-
bundantly endowed with every element of wealth
and greatness, provided it is fostered and promoted
by the wisdom of its legislation and the skill and
industry of our 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 meeting of such body yould
Vi0iata ia1yiu fftn0A IN iglst isht haa
yantageous, recommend that Louisiana meet her
Southern sister States in that or any other body
she may be called uponto participate in. 1t would
be manifest discourtesy in her to refuse to counsel
in the hour of danger with those whose interests
are identical with her own.
1t has been said, in view Of the embittered hos
Utility OF the North to us and the institution of
slavery, that retaliatory measures should be adopt
ed in self-defence. In this there is much reason
and truth, and if Southern Legislatures can retail
ate, without violation of law, they will be recre-
ant to their duty if they do not do 50. Tie North
its population considered, is dependent section
OF the country; it exports comparatively nothing
of its own products, and imports nearly everything
1t trades on other peoples capital 1t lives by the
use of the products Of the South; without the
patronage Of the South, we'll nigh universal bank
ruptcy would ensne. The South, importing hardly
anything exports, in fact threefourths of the pro-
ducts Of the country, which pay the debts of the
country. II the cotton crop Of the South were to
fail, for single year, there would not be solvent
bank capitalist manufacturer or ship owner in the
entire North. No business will controyert
this proposition
How are we to retalatel
Distinguished iursts, men learned in the law
have expressed the deliberate opinion that the
Legislature Of any State can, by system of cens-
ing, or by special taxation, inct such discrimna-
ton upon goods, arter exposed for sale within their
jurisdiction, will amount to absolute prohibition.
On this point express positive opinion, and
only suggest the subject it having been favorably
mentioned in high quarters Yet, deem it worthy
your consideration, for if you find the proposition
entirely legal, and conclude to adoptit, it will have
the effect Of making New Orleans the largest i'm
porting, as she is 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 prohibit
ton would necessarily superinduce direct importa-
ton.
Ineed not dilate upon the immense advantages
which would ennre to the State by making New
Orleans the great importing, as she now is the ex-
porting metropolis Of the Union. She would i'm
mediatey become the center of exchanges, and
her to the treasury, at the present rates
of taxation, would, in decade, far exceed those
now paid by the entire State
And now, gentlemen, through you tender to a
generous people, the thanks of a grateful heart.
ROBERT G. WIGkLIFFE.