New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-11-24
RESTORATION OF SOUTHERN PROSPER
TTY

The Picayapae has a theory that it is by
political contests that the South will regain
its prosperity, The vigilant selection of
honest men for all offices is the first duty
Of a republic, but the Picayu,ae charges
upon somebody the offense ''of buying up
with the money Of the people Of the South
the 0enal among those who have no
money" This implies people impover-
ished by the events Of war, whose advisers
have furnished them with no modes of
earning an honest living, SO they become
yenal, having no money. This is sad
confession of error on the part Of those
advisers. Instead Of ships and workshops
for the young men, and schools Of indus
tries, institutions qualifying all for an
honest self maintenance, the Southern
people are recommended to reinstate their
rights by-politics. We grant the pre-
misses Of the Pjcayanae. that integrity in
office is the supreme republican good
The question between us would be whether
that integrity is best assured by RENTING
to quadrennial elections the salvation of
the Stately cunning combinations to
divide or partisan appeals to concentrate
the vote necessary for the virtuous pro-
gramme, in which we cordially coincide
We submit that better way to secure this
object would be to employ the people
Give men good wages every day rather
than leave them to run in the range
three hundred and sixty-four days
in the year. to be called up by the
scattered corn Of the campaign 10 vote
on the three hundred and sixty
fifth. Philosophers inveigh against
the evils Of wealth. They were generally
poor men AMI poorer philosophers who did
it. They imputed to wealth the democrat
ization of later Rome, and cite those mi,
quitous orgies which dishonor humanity
These are patent and widespread scandals,
true, yet limited in their range Of mischief
by the small number Of those who were
rich enough to participate in them. Who
can paint the Generalization Of poverty?
The unemployed husband 1oafng in the
gin alley. The miserable wife watch
ing the inroads Of want upon the
health and statrue of her children The
children themselves pinched by hunger
into the premature practices OF vice. At
Che moment some one Of these 4iserableS
is arrested for some petty ofense which
the microcosmofic law can alone descrys
there is portly philosopher holding his
amber wine 80 the light, and descanting
upon the preservation Of liberty by some
adroic combination OF party diplomacy,
OF some energetic action to keep down the
slower orders 1t is this contempt OF
fear OF the people that has sent many
millions from the blessings Of monarchy
ana aristocracy 90 che free soil and insti'
tutions Of america. The policy Of our
own citizens j1 bringing Oh an era OF
honest officers would be 60 employ che
people-enEich $he people Seach the peo'
PIE. Show $hem that society IS joint
corporation. in which every man Is
stockholdep. These people chen will not
be venal, because shey will not be poor
They will sustain good government, be"
cause they are part Of the government.
1t must never be forgotten in che South,
that the sole basis Of power under this goSe
ernmenr is people, In peace Of war,
in municipal, State or federaf government,
il is still people. The policy then which
employs, attracts and retains people in a.
city or State gives it a power 5p federal,
State and municipal government A party
that relies upon thesuperior strategy Of edu-
Gated intellect to preserve the rights or
existence Of q community. is as inappli-
cable here as it would have been in the
arcadian democracies Of Plato OF Of Aoreo