The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-05-31


great advantage in developing the ag-
ricultural and manufacturing resour-
ces Of the northwest. ~
He must be u reckless prophet in
deed who would at this day venture
to make predictions as to the charac-
ter, the animus OR the issues Of the
approaching political campaign. There
are, however, a few leading points
that seem to have taken shape, upon
which we may safely venture guess.
1t seems, for instance, pretty certain
that the party divisions will remain
pretty much the same as last year.
There will be q Republican party and
there will be one opposition party. 1t
is matter of very little moment what
name may be adopted by the OPPOSE
ton, but it is quite likely they will,
rs a general thing, muster under their
old name of Democracy. 1t is scarcely
probable that any attempt will be
made looking to the formation OF a
new party. This is to be inferred
from the fact that the leading oppo-
sition journals discountenanoe such q
movement as ill-adyised. There does
not seem to be any good reason for
surprising any important change Ill
the drawing of party lines. Those
who voted with the Republican party
last year seem disposed, as far as can
now be ascertained, to do so again.
Those who were last year known as
Democrats are likely to remain so.
There is more of a question, however,
as to the probable position OF those
who, during last falls campaign,
STYLED themselves Liberal Republi-
cans. 1t would require q great stretch
of cretlllity to enable one to believe
that all those dissatisfied Republicans
who voted for Mr.. Greeley will now
60 straight into the Democratic camp.
That q large number of them will do
so is not difficult to believe. but it is
quite likely that many will return to
their first love. There does not seem
to be any disposition among Republic
cans to deal harshly with their erring
brethren; indeed, the spirit of toler
ance seems to be most remarkable
trait of Republican character. AS an
instance Of this, we point to the fact
that the Ohio Republican State Con-
vention nominated for member of the
Board of Public Works the present
incumbent, Mr.. Philip Hcrzog, who
last year straycd away from the fold
and supported Mr.. Greeley. This was
u very charitable act, and shows that
those who went away, following after
strange idols, will be permitted to re-
turn. and that their temporary back
sliding will not be charged up against
them.
From all reports the sugar crop
promises to be exceedingly large this
season. The best information gives
the yield for Cuba in 1871 at 1876, 900
tons, in 1872 at 236 900, and for 1873
the crop is estimated to exceed that
of 1872 by 20 per cent. We have from
other sources, as from the various
West India Islands, Brazil, Manila,
and Java, enough to swell the aggre-
gate to nearly 100000 tons. Prices
ruling are, for inferior sugar from 7
to 3 cents, and for powdered, gran ,,la-
ted aud crushed sugar from 10 to Is
cents per pound.
In 1872 we imported 94,312,954
pounds of foreign wool, valued at
1851 ,576,.34, on which COVER
ment exactcd Il tax Of 5000. 843.75
or Il little more than 46 per cent. This
looks as if the farmer should raise
more wool. The farmer can not afford
to pay to foreign countries nearly
twenty millions of dollars for wool
when he can raise it himself. nor
should the citizens generally be called
upon to pay ten millions of dollars tax
es upon wooden fabrics. More sheen
and more wool are the demands of
the times upon the farmers of the
country.
A great deal is said about peace
commissioners and the barbarity of
war, and so much is said about the
lesirability Of a universal Peace Con-
gress to regulate the affairs of nations.