The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-07-28
The Snnt:hern Press

which are sustained by the official patronage OF the
Radical party in this in other States bear evidence
of prosperity, while many Democratic journals are
maintaining precarous existence is painfully evident
to all who have opportunity Of drawing the contrast.
And are not the Southern people, in great part, to
blame for this n they do not come to the liberal
support of the press which combating in their be-
half the inevitable result will be that in many locai-
ties they must needs succumb, while the Radical pa-
pers will be permanently established by means of the
money wrung from helpessy taxridden people. Its
idle to say that Radical sentiments cannot be nstilled
into the minds Of Southern men who are not predis
posed to scaawagism naturally The position will not
hold good for there are many honest men who, con-
santly seeing but side of the question, will grad
uay, and by almost mpercepble degrees, be brought
believe that Radical doctrines not bad after
all Pope never said truer thing than this:
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
But seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace
We do not think attach importance to this
subject than it deserves-that over estimate the
danger to be apprehended The saying of Fletcher,
which has also been attributed to Sir Phillip Sidney,
" Let who will make the laws of people if | write
their songs" would lose none of its force were it to
read if / edit their newspapers"
Yet the remedy for the evil of which complain
is in great measure within the hands of the people
themselves. As said before, they must give more
material aid their local papers, if they make
some pecuniary sacrifice to do So and too they should
by no means render any, eleas assistance to papers
H. T hn
prescription it is such the necessity of the times
demands-a contrary course is like furnishing to the
incendiary torch wherewth to fire your own dwelling.
We have been led to make these remarks by MOTTO
ing upon table the two papers published at Mon
roe in this State One is edited by scalawag and the
other by Mr. McCrane, who elected to Congress
the Democratic ticket but who of course, was not
permitted to take his seat There is marked differ
in the appeara of these two papers so far as
the evidences of prosperity concerned and the diff
ference is in favor of the Radical organ. Strange to
say too while Democratic papers forcby excluded
from all official patronage and therefore languish,
notice in the Monroe Intelgencer advertisements of
business men in New Orleans who would probably be
shocked at the charge of giving surreptousaid and
comfort to the Radical party If there be any excuse
for thus assisting in the propagation of principles an
tagonstic to the best interests of the country
not see it. Nor do conceive that even the imme-
date interests of those parties who advertise in Rad
cal newspapers subserved thereby. The Southern
reader he be true the better instincts of his
ture will be very apt to regard with suspicion any
firm in New Orleans elsewhere, who patronses
these miserable sheets that have been spawned upon
us by the most shamelessly corrupt legislation that
ever disgraced country Nor is such firm worthy of
patronage by the planters. We have been told by
well-nformed gentlemen, residents of New Orleans,
that it is rapidly lapsng into corruption and Radical
ism-synonymous terms, indeed. The New Orleans
Republican, which is patronised by many business
houses there makes what it conceives to be strong
appeal for advertising patronage-takes the ground
that while the decent papers of the city read each
by certain number of their party, the Republican is
read by nearly all the scaawag and carpet-bag ele
ment, and hence reaches larger number than either
of the Others Let us say for the comfort of the Re-
publican, that business house in New Orleans that
advertses in its columns receives injury than it
reaps benefits so far the trade of all decent people
is concerned.
The venerable Intelgencer has sunk beneath the
waves of corruption in Washington City, and the
Washington Ark Telegraph one of the oldest and
best papers in the State, doubtful of its
isence, for want of local patronage. And in this
nection but express the hope that we, in a
cent number, did Mr.. Eter injustice in stating upon
the authority of Camden paper, that he had gone
over to the enemy for evidence of tin bis
appeal for support to the Southern element.
Our people should give heed to this matter Let
them sustain the local press The miserable plea that
they get larger cheaper and better paper in the
North is false in principle. And they should not only
sustain their home papers by subscribing, but mer-
chants should be liberal in advertising patronage
These remarks are made in spirit of selfshness
We have no cause of complaint, but venture the APP
circumstances endeavorng to build up infuen-
tia journals in the smaller throughout the South
and particularly in Texas 1t is needless to say that
money is the life. blood of ournalism-brans are
a secondary consideration.
DOUBTFUL VIcToRY.-Our pleasure at the result
of the Virginia election has been considerably marred
by noticing the qualification it to afford many of
the Radical papers. The New York World appears to
regard these expressions of satisfaction as affected
not the genuine article. This may be the with
the Wendell Phillips school, but to the of the Re-
publican party it is recognised triumph. And
far regards the Democratic party, it certainly is
a. II l.. IL.