The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-23
Democratic Address.

/.
The Democratic members of Congress
have published an address to tho country,
which appeared in our city journals day
Or two since. 1t 10 a document worthy OF
attentive perusal and serious reflection.
The gentlemen whe signed it are at the
centre of government, active participants
in all political movements of prominence
aud thoroughly cognizant of the situation OF
public affairs. The tone of their language
is ominous. Unfortunately it is also truth
full. The picture there faithfully drawn
great calamities unless
marked and decisive change takes place
soon. At the rate we are now travelling
and in the direction now followed, gene
raj break up cannot be far off.
One of the very first benefits expected OF
a republic is moderate taxation, and eco
nomical expenditure The address Informs
US that, during the five years immediately
succeeding our recent war, the ordinary
expenses of government were within
fraction of the same amount as the "hoie
expenses of the country during peace ana
war for seventy-one years ending III looA.
The number of offices and places has
been. of late, enormously increased at an
immense expense to the country, and for no
other reason than to keep up an army of
administrative adherents and agents. Ca
pacity and character are not regarded In
these appointments, but merely the support
of y band of plant, inscriptions tools and
! faithful partisans. In consequence Ut TINS
comes pecnlation and embezzlement In
frightful proportions, overlooked, unpun-
ished and concealed. An immense number
of non producers is supported in idleness
and uselessness, but in luxury and wealth.
while forming an oppressive incubus upon
the productive capacity of the country.
Citizens are struggling under taxation,
general and local. The complaint is uni
versal, but the reform commences nowhere.
A sense of oppression is felt in every rela-
ton of lite, and q gradual paralysis OF
trade and labor must grow upon the coan-
try. Labor is becoming less III demand aud
cheaper, the profits of business and proper
ty are gradually declining, private energy
| is more and more taxed to meet the de-
mands of the treasury, and that treasury
| 10 filed only to be wasted on the retalners
of the administration. The Government Ii
q vampire upon the people.
But the Government is not satisfied with
its present vantage ground. 1t ID deter
mined to master the situation more fully
The States must have no rights, the peo
ple must have no chance to change mas
tiers. Congress passes laws to perpetuat'
the control of its dominant element.
passes laws to put unlimited power in th
hands of the President, he of course sane
tons those laws, and the judiciary is thei
4 creature. Of course then the Democrati
, representatives are right in saying that tn
! only hope of the future is in the peopl
a They must rise in their majesty, and
: such force as to trample under foot til
g military coercion that has been prepare
?. for them. They must speak in tones th'
n will say to "a congress of conspirators III
to a would-be military dictator, "not yet
It The time honored bulwark of habea
ia corpus broken down, our best and bolde
r citizens may rot in Jail for no crime b
IA patriotism. The sedition laws of old
times re-enacted, popular rights are
IL completely destroyed as they would ha
IN been before, when the storm of popul
Indignation swept them from the statu
OF book. State rights totally abrogated, go
is ernors may be deposed, legislatures a
nm journed and courts dispersed, while office
he of the army shall. enforce obedience te
en- government of which the army regulatio
IRE will be the only constitution and
is Communicated chief the only organ.
he Has the time come for this The Nor
m, ern people were cautiously felt on the q,
be ject at the last general election, and Den
be cratic New York City, was the only Pc
Ms. where Indignation spoke in tones not to
nto misunderstood. A holder font, is n
ich made by Congress, and we shall see if
will people will awaken. The war has b.
her over for six years, and yet it's baleful p
ty, sions are relied upon as an unfaiiug inst
va ment of oppression TO the South. v
they 60 so far as to blind the Northern p
nch pie to their own pressing and impend