The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1871-12-30
THE PROMISED REFORMS,

day-in Malaprop phrase-'atht
most reformist place on Gods foot
stool" At the very first CRY for re-
lief which goes up from a long-suf
fering people, both factions Of tbeil
oppressors strive to outdo eacI
other in devotion to the good work
So direct, so indignant IS their de.
nunCiation of the outrageous acts
which worked our undoing, that we
are led to doubt the evidence Of
our senses and ask, can it be that
these people had any hand in their
COncOction? In vain we use hard
words; they far Guido us in invec-
tive. In vain we buckle on our ar.
NOR to fight for a change. the foe
has monopolized the front ranks Of
the battle, and we find no enemy
in sight. 'a...
Now, either this is destined to
prove the easiest victory ever won,
or the most barefaced victory ever
enacted, and the fears of many will
incline them forward the latter con-
clusion. We know that whenever
the devil is sick, the devil monk
will be; and we know further, that
patching out the lions skin, when
too short, with the fox's, is by no
means a rare trick. It, therefore,
behoves the people Of this State to
wear microscopic spectaclesin scan
ming the present political situation,
to so separate and discriminate be-
tween glittering generalities and
practical results, that we may not
be sWindled out of the ends aimed
ct. There is no shadow of doubt
that the respectable people of this
State have it in their power to &C.
cOmplish many desirable reforms,
if they win remain firm, united, and
entirely awake to the exigencies of
the times. Buff they allow them
selves to be soOthed into a fancied |
security by any hypocritioal song
ofreform to which our enemies may |
tune their voices, they are certain |
10 be betrayed. Believing that
Louisiana has need of all her chill
lren, we would not close the door
# repentance and atonemant upon
wen one of her desp0ilers, but we
eguiFe more evidence of this than
s yielded in mere lip service. In
and earnest adtion, in re-
orded votes, tending to Lift from
he paralyzed limbs Of society the
weary burdens now crushing out its
itality, this mast be exhibited, be-
ore any credit for earnestness or
ruth can be accorded. Froua the
Of the past, the people
re fully justified in exercising this
oalous scrutiny; and we urge upon
hem the necessity of combining in
Reform organization that viii
erve to rRle and guide the storm
ow appearing in the political hor-
ION. From the present aspect Of
fairs, itwould appear that the Ra-
iCal party is more thoroughly
wake TO the strength and impor-
ance of the reform sentiment tkan
ur ownpeople. This shouldnet be
o; and we now sound the note of
'arnings ere it be- too late. There
mo fearof their stealing our thun-
or; but we have fears of finding
betrayed and helpless,
atan is neVerso dangerousas when
Q puts ON lambs clothing; and,
among the Radicals Of to-
ay, it would be hard to find other
nan political saints. There is dan
or in the air Get ye ready men ]
Louisiana, if We would rescue
bur homes from the hands Of the
boilers. IN, O, Times,
We ara informed upon most reliable
lkhOlrikv that mn iOdividual Rneenkiy / I