New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-22

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punishment the bad men in North Louisi-
ana who have placed Themselves in open
defiance to lawful authority, and in
the absence of sufficient lawful force
to prevent their acts of violence are en-
gagged in numbering defenseless men op-
posed to them in politics-tillers of the
soil-for no better reason than to eSentu-
ally place the government of the State
under Democratic control
We have had frequent occasion to ad-
monish the good people of North Louis
lana, and more particularly of Shreveport
because We consider that an important
business point in our State, of the in
furious effects that would inevitably be
the result of the violent conduct Of the
political rufians who are endeavoring to
gain the ascendency there if it was not
put a stop to. Our object in doing this
has been to show good people there the
necessity Of their throwing the weight Of
their influence against the violators
of the law and in favor of peace,
in order that agriculture, commerce
and railroad improvements, etc., might
progress in their midst and be
the means of adding not only to the
wealth and growth Of Shreveport and sur
rounding country, but to the State at
large. It was with this view that we
some time since took occasion to refer to
the opinion Of distinguished financial
traveller, Mr.. Wilson, an occasional cor
respondent of the New York Evening Post,
upon the present condition of political
affairs in Louisiana. We regarded his
opinion the more important because he is
railroad man and the representative of
large banking house in England, and as
such was actually prospecting with a
view of making investments in railroad
enterprises in this country. After travel
ing much be reached Shreveport, and
from there went into Northern Texas; and
on his retarn to Shreveport took good
survey of the northern portion Of our own
State. He was most favorably impressed
with what he saw of the country, and
thought sufficiently well of one of our rail-
road proiects-the Louisiana Central
connecting with Shreveport, to speak of it
in the most encouraging way-such as led
to the belief that he was willing to re-
commend it to capitalists as the best road
he had seen to invest money in. But,
unfortunately for our State, just before
Mi. Wilson got ready to leave, the White
Leagues began to organize, and the murs
ders and disorders that soon followed
caused him to change his opinion in re-
gard, to the safety of investing money in
railroad enterprises in this State at this
particular time. In one of his letters,
dated at Shreveport and published in
the Post, he said investments in railroad
enterprises here must be deferred until
society is placed on a more secure basis.
In another letter to the same paper, dated
at alveston, Mr.. Wilson says:
might leave some further observations
which | wish to make on the political as
pect of affairs in Louisiana till l reach the
Crescent City, which, after all, must main
~ determine by its influence and vote the
result OF the autumn elections. But the
minds of the people in the northern capital
Of the State appear to be fully made up as
to the policy to be pursued in that section.
There seem to be determination of the \
L" white mans party" in the north to carry
the elections peaceably if possible, but
forcibly If necessary. Such policy is, Of i.
course. wrong. Y
By the reference made in the above
extract to the s'northern capital of the
State" it is obvious that the writer means
and his reference to the
''white mans party in the north" is meant
to apply to Northern Louisiana, where he
undoubtedly saw enough to convince him
that Louisiana at this time was not safe
place for capital. That he was friendly
disposed and pleased with the business
prospects of Shreveport if the citizens
were determined to aid the government in
order, we have not doubt,
for in the same letter from which tie
above extract was taken we find the fol-
lowing:
Before taking final leave of Shreveport,
may be permitted to say word or two Of |
It's commercial Importance. Its export and |
import trade are out of proportion to its
population, reaching, together, about |
$50, 100000. Last year is was paralyzed by |
the great epidemic, but it is estimated that l
It will this year receive and ship fully |
$780, 600 bales of cotton, valued at ten mil |
ions OF dollars, to say nothing of live |
stock and other products. doubt if there |
IS another city of twice its population in |
he Union that can boast of an equal trade. |
Is it not plain, then, that the course Of |
he REPUBLICAN, in exposing and de-
1ouncing the murderous acts of the
White Leagues and their political sympa-
hizers, and calling upon all good citizens
% aid in putting them down, is the one to
'e followed; the only one that is calculated
% give speedy peace and crown our State
With prosperity once more. But prosper
ty must not be looked for-ro matter
What party is in power-until our people
rave learned that the political road is not
he only and surest one to wealth. In
rider that our State may flourish, our
'eople must depend less on politics
nd become more industrious and
in all the business
pursuits of life-in agriculture, COM
nerce, manufactures, the mechanic /
rts, etc. Mr.. Wilson has pointed out
be great advantages of Shreveport as