New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-21
TIE ENEMIES OF TIE STATE.

slJlou 10 the ouE6NepCLs Ed444Odu' ~ p
now asserted by this class (unhappily con
stituting large moneyed infuence) that,
unless the united State ticket is accepted
by the people, these enemies Of the State
will oppose the road. They even go so far
as to protest against it, unless las they say
they, il the meantime, be given charge Of
municipal and State affairs.
In other words, their adhesion to the
plan Of advancing the commercial inter
ests of New Orleans is dependent on their
election to Office. They seek bargain.
Vote for us, and then we will not oppose
the only measure which can redeem your
city from irretrievable disaster. We know
it is heartless; it puts US in the light of
enemies of the State; it shows that we are
without a spirit of public enterprise, are
selfish and corrupt, and, deserving Of the
utter scorn and reputation Of honest
men; but, in answer to all this and more
we have to say, ne lcant office. True, there
is but a handful Of these creatures, sup
ported by a journal, the respectability Of
which ceased months ago; but even these,
if not exposed and denounced, may work
a great commercial injury to our people
The necessity of building this road to
Shreveport is imperative. 1t has nothing
to do with politics-it is simply COM
mercial necessity. For whatreason, then,
has it been dragged into this tumult of
porties and purposes? Under no circum-
stances could the funds embraced in the
100000 be misapplied. 1t could be
raised on a special tax and for a specific
purpose, or it may be raised by public
subscription. There is neither reason nor
sense in mixing it up in the great scramble
for Office None but those who felt their
cause was weak and failing would con-
trive an expedient so dangerous to the
success of the road, and damaging to the
vital interests of the city.
What is there in the existing rate of
taxation which could defeat such an en-
terprise. Taxes in the single city Of St.
Louis for railroad enterprises alone amount
in the aggregate to double the entire taxes
levied in New Orleans for State and NUM-
cipal purposes. That city pays annually for
the southern extension of the Iron Noun
tain road a million and quarter Of dol
lars while according to the dictum of an
and partisan Journal, the city
Of New Orleans and State Of Louisiana
are unable together to raise. upon taxable
property, as valuable as the taxable wealth
of st. Louis, the comparatively inconsid-
cradle amount Of two millions Of dollars.
This sum once raised-this road once com
pleted-will pour annually an equivalent
and increasing commerce into the Golfers of
merchants. As the years advance it will
bring population, capital and enterprise.
The city will grow in wealth, and taxation
will diminish as the enormous resources
by these new undeveloded re-
sources are divided among the people,.
Enterprise is the soul Of prosperity, and
railroad enterprise is the magical anstru-
by which American wealth !
stands revealed to the people. It indeed |
forms the strong, indestructibIe ligatures
that are binding the continent in unity, |
and opens in. every possible direction the
avenues along which the trade and com
nerce Of the nation tend. Those cities
which appreciate its importance-which
spring into life with the impulse Of the
lour-grow rich and prosperous. Those
hat pay no heed and lag with the old
ime tide, fall behind in the race of pros
oerity, and die as the drone dies. Such
S now very near our condition. One
means Of escape is left OPEN The wealth
producing plains Of Texas, the product Of
he cotton-giving regions Of Arkansas, the
taples of the Southwest, indeed, are
eady to secure to as the advantages Of
wealth if we only -stretch forth
ur hands to getit.
But what do we see? At the very mo-
1ent when our people are awakening to
be great necessity in steps the half
tar7ed leaders of a political bantIing-
be abortive relict Of the old Democratic
say: "If you don't elect US
, Office, and let US have control Of the
axes, we will oppose this measure. What
0 We care for the prosperity Of New Or |
ans. We are political thimble-riggers-
7rt Of refugees from all the old parties
lat have died Of corruption; we were once
le lights Of Know Nothingism-the ora
les Of the Wings. We killed Irishmen
/ AZ, and shot Dutch and Siciians in 50.
ldeed we are the big buzzards that whet
II beaks in every decaying carcass. Give
5 the State and city government and the J
.ilroad can be built
This we submit is the fairly Interpreted l
nguage held by the organ Of these po-
teal cormorants. It confasses it speaks
r a party of adventures. seeking the !
,lden gates Of fortune, and describes s
em as the true fayorites Of fortune who 5
oproach, with unfaltering hope and IN I
ing pluck, to storm her strongholds.
,rtuaQ facet tortiJus. To them, after !
me coy delay, she gladly throws open S
r ivory gates. But for those who ap-
zach with doubling steps and sinking
9arts and modest mien and honest pur-
'ses her gates are as black as ebony, as
'rd az adamant, and altogether impreg- c
able, inexorable. '
And this il tho r,o,4-- I'LL IL. l. f