The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-30
Sinbad and His Dwarf.

Our republic of Louisiana is now vel
much in the whilom situation of the illu
trous mariner, Sinbad, whose memoi
have currency even among the .juveni
population. We refer to the episode whel
that hardy and powerful disciple of Neptun
found himself encountered with a certai
manikin intentionally but very firml
seated upon his neck, and unreasonabl
bent on having his own way. Louisiana
supposed to have arrived at the age of dis
erection, and to be endowed with a popu
lation vigorous, intelligent, and homes
enough to guide her destinies. But wit
all her vlgor, all her energy and eagernes
for the pursuit of such objects, and b.
such means as to her seem best, she finds
terrible little dwarf saddled upon her neck
his shrilllittle voice directing the movement
OF her majestic person, and bayonet poin
gently pressed against her jugular vein, b,
way OF imparting seriousness to caprice
which might otherwise appear somewha
| absurd.
| The State of Louisiana is said to he il
the Union. AS such, the Constitution O
the United Sttes guarantees to her-a re-
publican form of government-tbat is. :
government of the people. The govern
ment which she really has is a mere parod,
on popular government. Her freedom i,
that of Sinbad while under the protection
of his friend, the dwarf In fact. on,
brethren temporarily helping us along arc
more Jealous than learned in law, and they
evidently .construe republican govern
ment to mean I" government of the Repub-
lican party" So long as Louisiana is
governed by Republicans, she ought, they
think, to be satisfied-she has q republican
government.
But, as our brethren are undoubtedlv
honest, let us expostulate mildly with them
for a moment upon the error of their WAYS.
They sit in the Governors chair and in the
legislative halls of our State, saying that
they represent the people. The people re-
spond Indignantly: You rule us, not as
but as masters.-Let us
see what are the facts, and who is right.
We find that among other items we must
ing:
You claim to be Louisianians, vet your
speeches and editorials breathe animositv
20 the laws peculiar to our State, and deeply
endeared to all of our old population YOU
speak of the I" s,ceet- scented CirH
Code" That Code is our peculiar form
If civilization, and not until you under
tand and love it, can you be Louisianians.
You claim to be Louisianians, but the in
tinct of the people does not recognize you.
When their real representatives meet, their
obbies are crowded with our best citizens
he Legislature is advised, urged, expostu-
lted with, the public journals treat its de-
5erations as something important and Sc
ious, the people are alive with interest and |
ttention. Your deliberations pass unno-
ICED by the people; they do not visit you,
hey do not mingle with or advise you,
hey would treat your conclusions with the
ontempt of total Indifference, did not the
isagreeable sense of loss draw their atten-
on to some new scheme of pillage. The
ense of the people is that you are over
lem but not of them.
You claim to be Louisianians, yet while
lie people are struggling in the tolls of a
ushing and unaccustomed poverty, while
ley are in debt, their State bankrupt, and
eir levees ruined, you think only of null
plying the taxes. How thoughtless in you
tax the people half million of dollars
r registry system to keep them from
ting Why tax them one million more
pay your editorial department for pub t
hing what they never will read7 How t