The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-08-13

the head. I concur in what else you
suggest. The new organization should
oppose all forms of monopoly. This is
too plain to need argument. Monopo-
lies are an outrage and an offence
against the people. The new organi-
cation should oppose Capitalization, and
it should advocate home government in
all local affairs, and to the utmost ex-
tent practicable. You cannot keep a
people free, sturdy, and intelligent
without home government. 1t is home
that trains US, teaches self-reliance and
develops manliness. Take it away,
and the freeman disappears. Central
ize power in Washington, and we
are transferred to outside management.
No longer governing ourselves, we
must be governed. Depending upon
Washington, We lose our self Deepen
dence, and the free citizen soon degen-
crates into mere subject, whose whole
duty is to obey law and whose only de-
sire is to be amused in idleness.
You refer me also to the question of
Free Trade. The new organization
should make it one of its cardinal doc
trines. There should be no equivoca-
ton or double meaning about this A
prohibitory tariffs Id plain contradic-
ton to the character: of our Govern
ment. We are allequal in rights, priv
ileges, and immunities. There should
beno determinations, nojfavoritism, no
partialities, personal or financial. And
as commercial policy, prohibitory
tariff is behind the age, almost bar
barism, and belongs to the times when
nations were walled and commerce
without wings. I believe I have sub
stantially answered your letter. The
new organization may properly antag-
onize the party now administering our
affairs at almost every point. While
this is SO it should not undertake to dc
everything at once, or push reforms
without some regard for Immediate
consequences. Charges that shock by
their abruptness are not always just OF
fair. We should never forget sound
principles, and we should move to-
wards them constantly, surely, and
steadily, but sometimes gradually.
don't believe in daily revolutions or in
sudden and violent arrangement O
public affairs. Let me suggest a doc
trine to which you have not referred
I mean the doctrine of strict construc
ton of the Constitution. Have yor
considered what certain preventive
of misgovernment may be found in thu
faithful application of this doctrine7
! believe such an application of it would
correct almost every public evil o
which we complain. 1t is worth YOU
while to test it's reach and efficiency
And what splendid doctrine for sucl
a government as ours! How it exalt
: the individual man, and how it subor
dinates the Government! 1t may fet
ter the Government now and then, bu
never the citizen. He always remain
] uppermost and master. I am not pol
itician, or competent to advise, but i
you should make such a movement a
you propose, it should be conducted s.
as to give the strongest assurance tina
it sought reform, and not place. / an
a Democrat, but should be glad to se
the Democracy move out of its old or
ganization into q new one. You will
not succeed unless they do. 1t may b
: they will refuse, and prefer to tarr.
: where they are for balance of the cen
> fury and until they can fix the meaning
r of the Resolutions of '98. If so, sup
7 pose shall larry with them. After all
/ like them and I like the old politica
i. homestead. I confess it is somewha
dilspidated. There, are no banner
=. upon its walls, and victorious shouting
/ are no longer heard within; but it is
home still, and I shall not leave it unit
: it is pulled down.
: Very Respectfully,
3 W. S. GRoESBECK.
HRs VnppO o;rls from, ron IN ffftan