Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-12-06
Communicated.

MeSSrS. EiatoaS-In these times of gen.
eral financial pressure and of heavy taxes,
we are in danger of forgetting some OBJ
jects that are essential conditions to sue
cess. The recent action of the city upon
the subject of schools, has left no room for
complaint in regard to matters educa-
tional; but we are in danger OF forgetting
the mutual dependence that must ever
exist between the interests of the Church
and those of the State.
In every community the health and
prosperity of the several members is so
necessarily dependent upon the welfare OF
the body polite, that we may truly say
that there can be no prosperity unless
those Interests are consulted which are
general in their nature and universal in
their application. Merchants, artisans,
holders of real estate, men of every call
ing, trade or profession, all are interested
in making their town desirable place of
residence, that those who are now their
patrons may remain, and also that CAPT
talisUs from other sections, who are seek
ing homes may be attracted among them.
Those who sit by their counters from
morning till night watching their full
shelves and empty cash boxes, forget per-
haps that true policy dictates liberal
contribution for the support of churches
of every denomination.
Holders of real estate forget that the
pulse of real estate is the vein of public
morality. Yet the reason is obvious and
has been already limited at. We desire an
immigration Of men with money to our
town. The merchants want their patron
age, holders of real estate have lands to
sell them, the doctors want them to ex-
pertinent on, the lawyers want their quar-
rels to settle and every member of the
community is in some way interested in
having them come. Now we know they
will not come here unless they find this
place more attractive than another, and
we appeal to every rejecting mind, are not
the first indications of prosperity in every
community It's schools and churches! We
care not to investigate the mystery OF that
law upon which every community is or
gained; we content ourselves with the
fact. These are the arteries from which
the life blood flows direct from the heart
of every community and were there no
higher reason for it, the universal demand
of the American people for schools and
churches leaves but one line of policy
open to US. Setting aside the claims of
our families upon us, and all the noble
dictates of our better natures, we say that
as careful, far-sighted business men, it is
our true policy to support the interests of
the church in all its branches.
/ The Catholic mem bsrs of the commu-
nifty cannot plead lack of interest in the
support of the Protestant Church, and
mercial sense, in the imperative wants of
the other.
Now, we wish to call attention to our
present condition on this subject. We
forbear to delineate from motives of deli
eaey and from shame. The facts are
within the easy reach of all, and as We
have already said, the interests of all are
involved.
Let it not be SO much as whispered
among us that Baton Rouge has not the
public spirit requisite for the support of a
single Protestant Minister. M