The daily gazette., 1875-01-06
mineral treasures, and our gold and
silver mines yield annually their, full

mineral treasures, and our gold and
silver mines yield annually their full
share of the precious metals. Our
cotton fields are capable of supplying
themanufactOries Of the world with
that useful staple, so indispensable to
the wants and comforts. of mankind
and in all the elements of national
wealth and prosperity we. rival the
most favored portions of the earth.
With such vast resonrceswe ought to
have been able to have redeemed the
pledges of the Government, and to
have placed the national currency up
on q basis which would have given it
II commercial value equal to gold.
The accomplishment of this object has
not had Its proper influence in the
councils of the nation. and has been
delayed by the policy pursued by Con-
gress and the Federal administration,
in the lavish expenditures of the pub
lie moneys andin retarding the devel-
opment of one portion of the country,
and thus diminishing largely the ma
tional wealth. it
Had the Government, upon the ter
mination of the war, refraihed from acts
of oppression and permitted the south
ern people to assume control of their
own affairs, the wastings of the strife
would have been measurably repaired
anj the former prosperity. of the South
restored. Improper interference, how
ever, on the part of the Federal authori-
ties, dictated from motives neither COM
lnendable nor excusable, has retarded
the improvement of that section of the
country, which has been sensibly felt in
its reactionary influence by the people
OF the Northern and Middle States.
The South. instead of being liberal
purchaser in northern markets, has been
kept impoverished and unable to con-
tribute, by the full development Of its
resources, to the wealth and prosperity
OF the country.
The commercial. and manufacturing
interests in the north have been of late
impressed with this fact, and seem much
more ready to heed an appeal addressed
to their own interest than such as
have been predicated on injustice and
wrong.
A policy dictated by feelings of ami
mostly engendered by strife might for q
time find an excuse in human weakness
and frailty, but the persistent purpose to
oppress and ruin one part OF the coun.
try, from no higher motive than such as
emanates from party feelings, especially
when it is producing its legitimate fruit
in the prostitution OF business and enter
prise everywhere, must be regarded MOI
only as indefensible but as supreme foll1
and the very acme of crime. This policy
however, is, even after nearly ten year,
Of peace, continued in some of tn,
Southern States. For nearly two year
Louisiana has been ruled and robbed b!
bogus usurping government, inaugur
ated by federal interference and sus
tanned by federal bayonets, and in othe
States, under the pretense Of preservin,
the public peace, the President has.un
wisely and illegally interposed the pres
ence OF part of the army Of the Unite,
States, if not for the purpose of control
ing their local affairs at least with ful
knowledge that such presence woul
have an improper and potential inAuenc
upon them.
Recent indications, however, justif
the belief that the American people ar
beginning to trealize the great error G
tolerating such wrongs. The result q
the recent elections is understood b
men OF all parties as not only the e,
preston of a decided disapproval, bu
an unqualified dcondemnation Of the whol
domestic policy and practice Of tn
Government under the present admin,
tration. Regarding such result not e
much in the light Of partisan triumph a
the declaration of determination, o
the part OF the people of the country, I
secure good government for themselve
and their posterity. may we not indula
the hope that at an early day the mar
agement of public affairs will be entrust
ed to those who will observe the limit
tions upon Federal power, respect III
Just rights of the States in all that pa,
tains to their domestic concerns, and az
minister the Government in a manne
inspiring confidence at home and respe(
and admiration abroad.
In conclusion, permit me, gentlemen
to congratulate you on the confidenc
reposed in you by your fellow-citizen
and invoke for your guidance that Diyip
Providence. which rules in the affairs {
men and shapes alike the destinies {
individuals and of states.
JAMES PONDER.
, povER, january 5th, 1875.
The LOuisia IA Business