New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-04-08

was monopoly against tree labor ana
free Institutions: a monopoly that doomed
the slave to eternal slavery. Yet the
Southern politician, looking upon slavery
in the South as a sacred institution, could
see no wrong in the most Infamous
monopoly that has ever disgraced free
country. He lives to see and denounce
as monopolies the railroad projects and
other works Of internal improve
ment that have sprung up under
republican administrations for the devel-
opment Of the whole country, but seems
still utterly oblivious Of the fact that the
Democratic party was the only party that
ever fostered and encouraged really dan
gerous monopoly in this country. All
other monopolies were pigmies to this
monster. The United States Bank, the
''pet monopoly" as it was called, Of the
old Wing party. was not circumstance
to the pet monopoly'-slayery-of the
Democratic party. And the railroad
and Other internal improvements in
augurated since the Republican party has
been intrusted with power. denounced as
monopolies by tina: class Of political
writers who in the past upheld slavery
and continue to live for no better purpose
than 10 reinstate the Democratic party in
power. are in fact no monopohes in the
sense in which The people were taught TO
regard the slave monopoly. That mono
poly kept down the growth and improve
ment Of the South. and it aimed
a. political importance that was
dangerous 70 free government as
practiced under the constitution Of the
United States. The railroad monopolies.
as the enemies of President Grant and the
Republican party delight in calling the
railroad and other internal Improvements
of the present day, are intended and cal
culated to develop and improve the coun-
try; not destroy it. Railroads have not
thus far been only a source of benefit to
the men to whom charters have been
| granted to build them. 1t is certain that
in the West they have helped greatly
the growth and improvement of the
Western States, adding immensely to
their wealth by the cultivation Of the soil
and the consequent increase in the value
| of land, while it is far from certain that
in every instance railroad companies have
been made profitable institutions. In the
first place it costs a great deal Of money
to build railroads, and where they have &c
half build up country through which
they pass, it may be some time before
they can do a profitable business, and
when such country is but sparsely
settled it may require a higher rate Q.
freight and passenger charges to pay ex'
| penses than is charged in districts Of oul
country that are more densely populated
and where transportation Of every kind is
likely to be much larger. This may &C
count for the comparatively high rate O
charges made by railroads in the West
where the farmers, it is said, are seriously
complaining against the oppressive ten
denotes of railroads. Now We dc
not believe the people, and particular
ly that portion Of them who cultivate
the soil. should be oppressed. We woTlC
not have any interest in our country op
pressed-not even the railroad interest
The building Of railroads through coun
try does not necessarily preclude the RICH
of having other roads and other modes o
farmers getting their produce to market
If they can &c: their produce 20 narke
cheaper than railroads viii carry it, they
should adopt that way and if railroad
companies have really been unreasonable
in their charges, this course would have {
tendency to compel them to do right
But we are inclined to think the presen
movement in the West against railroad:
is not confined to farmers. It looks very
much as if it might be movement insti
gated by polticians-Democratic politi
clans, who have determined the country
shall have no rest from the turmoil anC
contention of party strife. A dispatch &C
the st. Louis Globe, dated Springfield
Illinois, april 2, has led US to. this con-
clusion. The dispatch says:
The farmers movement will doubtless
succeed in shaping legislation which will
ultimately result in checking extOrtiOnate
! charges by railroads, and will give the pro-
ducers of the West a fairer price for their
| grain, hogs and cattle. But there Is one
thing which .he farmers must guard
against. There are demagogues III theiI
| midst claiming 20 Ue farmers who probably
never plowed furrow or dropped grain
of corn, and who expect 20 ride into place
and power on che UacIs OF the patient
| farmer
Now. we are constrained 70 think the
movement agains. railroads move.
men. of Che old enemy Of :he
country-.he Democratic Yarty-againss
the party in power. 1t IS well known tha;
the Republican party has favored the
building of railroads and all interna! i'm
| pro@ements calculated to develop the
| growth OF the country and add 20 lis ma
. terial wealth and prosperity; and il would
be in keeping with the previous conduct
Of Democratic demagogues to attemp: 20
raise hue and cry against our railroads,
BY making the farmers believe unlawful
charges had teen imposed on them jy
| railroad companies. the final purpose be
ing 20 fix the blame on 3 Republican al
ADMINISTRATION. Our objec; is to defend tie
people against abuses and expressions o!
all kind If the railroad companies are
really guilty OF extortion. which is moth
ing more no. less than unlawful charges.