The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-02-07

VI Establishing COuttdCtS AVA tuVu oAA~
even assuming To declare what persons the
owners shall be- compelled to. entertain on
their farms, under the penalty Ef conflsea-
ton. Surely If. our fellow citizens of New
England must convert this Government in.
,toa great eleemosynary institutidu4 Fl they
must depFiysfo millions ofpeople Of their
honors to satisfy their craving TO make
these people the 4'wards'of the nation
they ought to be ashamed of the niggardli-
ness which seeksto support them at other
ptople's expense, and to quarter them Upon
Those who have been deprived OF their ser
vices. ,fih' s3''t' sah susl
And far above all these agencies, enter
ing every State and country and township
and family-touchipg every interest, COM
mercial, mechanical and agricultural seek
ling every avenue Of trade, every branch OF
Industry, every profession and occupation
holding 10 their grasp every man and wo-
mau and child, whether they labor for bread
in the factory or at the pillow, or for amuse-
nlent at counting theirinceme permeating
every artery and vein, tracing every nerve
and sinew and fibre ofthe body polite, and
Iiusubm,ting every influence to their nomi-
nation, are the systems Of Federal finance
and taxation. u g,.as.f
| do no, speak of these measures as a
partisan /; [ do, not at present discuss their
wisdom !; / ID not at present question the
motives which prompted them ! speak Of
them as evidences OF the direction ana sfe
strength of the tide OF opinion and OF
action.
This new programme is not the system
Of the Government. 1T is not the system
Of the Constitution. 1t is the centrallza-
ton of all Governmental forces, OF the super
vision of all social interests at one point
These thus concentrated cannot be efficient
Ky exercised unless by the,inspiration Of
lone heart under the direction OF one head
with the vigor Of oneiwill, backed by the
powers of many men, accustomed by the
rigors of discipline or by the hopes OF re-
ward to obey blindly one master. These
conditions are incompatible with republican
government may, they are the very essence
land definition of despotism.
i Gentlemen, we havea grave duty to per
form. This is the time for the assertion Of
true principles. Physical force has accom-.
plished it's work. Legislative and Admin
Iistlatiye action are at their task. Both
|have passed beyond their proper limits
/ Both have usurped powers under the pre-
tense Of necessity, and now claim them as
ofright. Both are directed with vigor but
often without authority or reason Bot'
should be made to renouncei their preten
sions before we yield them communication
The condition of war, and the results OF oul
war, both eonduce to aid the progress @
this consolidation. They have accustomed
the mind to the exhibition of, and obedi
ence to, the assumption Of Federal power
T Let us see to it that we be, at least
blameless. Let us by voice and vote-by
!. precept and by practice, each one in hls
i sphere this perversion Of this sys
4 tenn of government. Let us hold fast to
1.-THE Constitution; let us hold fast to the
doctrine Of State Rights. 1t is the essen
tial life Of the Constitution. 1t is derldet
and despised now. 1t has been the glory
!. OF our polity-it will be its salvation. Lei
us guard it as of old the yestal fires were
guarded. Let us guard it as of old the ark
, of the covenant was guarded, agains
whose pollutions by profane touch tn
dread penalties of the Almighty were thun
, dered. E8s3