The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-01-07

| h'"''p 'SStoH''t ''TDHp ptV tfWRS "
the District Of Columbia, should be cut
down 10 the lowest possible figures,
and there is reason TO believe that the
Washington ''ring' has already indu-
ced some members of the Committee
on Appropriations to favor cutting
down the SIO,OOO,OOO in the estimates
for necessary work on public buildings
in several States, including even such
essentials as lighthouses, to $1,000, 900,
that there may be better show for it,
the "ring," to get lew millions more
for the improvement" of its own real
estate ia Washington.
THE vIEG1N1Us.
1t is to be regretted that this coun-
try is not going to come out of this
Spanish difficulty as crediiable. a 8
should be desired by every American
citizen who has the honor and good of
his country ut heart. We have pre-
scented to The world, in this affair, the
spe, tacDe of, naiior acting, practically,
in b.d Gii,h iow.,,da ueis,bolipg pow
or with which we profess to be on
friendly relations. Duling I'll Q last
Qulrier OF n century, we have, on sew
e,al occasions, pei led irresponsible
bodies Of men to leave the ports Of
New Yo.k and New Orleans in vessels
loaded with war materials to be used
against the Spanish government; but
this last lime VIC went further still
we defended an jn'uctiOn of interna-
tional Inv berduse it WAS perpetrated
under our flag. Virtually, we thus as
srmed tbe character Of a payticeps
crim;uis. il is easy to foresee what
wonld he Tie verdict, in this affair OF
the 1TiuiHi"s.of dn international court
]composcd OF imp,' liaI jorists. Of other
, IA; ions than Spain or the United
SAFES. No nation is bound TO respect
y band OF hostile adventures because
; they sail rudera fig TO Which they
have no light, any more than am
hound TO allow myself 10 be approach
Ell with {, iuinal intent by a profession
al thief or assassin, because he has
chosen 10 disguise himself in the hon
or.,ble uniform Of n police officer.
Aud HE sober second thought of the
Attorney General of the United States
has forced him to similar conclusion.
He comedies, virtually, not only that
,he Spanish Republic has not violated
international law, in the matter OF the
| V,yi0iHs, but that this Government
was to blame in allowing to that YES
sci the protection of its flag; and that
it is the solemn duty OF the United
S,a'es, Incurred as an obligation of it's
own making, TO proceed, without de-
! lay, TO the t'ai Of The persons connect
Ell w'th The expedition in which the
Vny,nius Wis engaged-as we'll those
who supplied her cargo, and fitted her
for sea-, as those who joined the ill-fl-
ted enterprise as seamen or 'passen-
gers"
EXEMPTION OF CHURCH PROPERTY.
f, At large meeting of the German
| American Representative Committee,
held a few evenings ago at Turner
Hall, the exemption of church proper
~ from taxation was discussed with a
good deal Of warmth. 1t was claimed
by the speakers that in a country in
which church and State are separate,
it is an injustice to propeity-hoIdets at
large to tax them for property belong
ing to private corporations. 1t was H.
na'iy resolved to petition Congress for
relief in the premises, and to hold a Sc
lies of mass meetings for the further
presentation OF the subject to the peo-
pie at large. There has always been a
large number Of persons opposed to
the exemption Of church property from
taxation, because such exemption, it is
commended, Is an indirect means of Civ.
ing religions secls Stale support; but
'he unusnal activity Of the opponents
OF church exemption, now manifested,
has been eScIied by The late action of
tho Do;srd of Police, witch, under
church influence, as is claimed, refused
lirenses TO q large number OF appli-
can,s who had complied with all the
requirements of the law. A. F. B.
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Doors AND SHoEs.-Notice card of
Ernest Hardtner, Boot and Shoe
maker, who holds forth in our flour
ishing ris-a-Uis, Pineville, and has
proved a success in his line. He isa
good and competent workman, and
should receive the patronage he SO
justly deserves. n
=.
E Fresh Pork is selling in our
Town at ten cents per pound. We
never heard of such a price for the
article before this side of Jericho;
beef 1T tho cano ,,y;oo ;c l,;rh