The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1875-07-22
The Next Congress.



a majority in the House Of Repre-
sentatives of the next Congress the
radical party has been deligbting
itself with the prophecy of discord
in the ranks of The majority. We
have been amused at these efforts
of the radicals to get consolation
from their defeat by the honest
men of the country at these cleo
tioDs.
But it is not the part of wisdom
to rest in security when there is a
possibility of danger.
We have observed in the South
ern press lately disposition to
agitate a scheme for whatis known
as " internal Improvement before
the next Congress. The ground
on which it is to be placed is, we
agree, very plausible. The reason,
the justification, is the severe suf-
ferings, the expressions, the out
RACES which the radical party have
inflicted on the Southern States.
The war, like the Let us have
peace, have alike been Pandora's
boxes, filed with the direst evils.
From these grievances the South
hopes to be relieved, and in the
recoil from iron-heeled oppression
to comparative hborty, or at least
the hope of liberty, has induced
the people of the oppressed and
subiugated States to seek some
means for restoring what is called
prosperity to the white race.
Under the late teachings, the
false doctrines of the radical party. !
whenever a want exists the Gov
eminent" is to be applied to for
its supply. The Government is to
be looked up to as the fountain
out of which everything wanted is |
to be had, and instead of a con-
trolling power, limited and re-
stricted by the Constitution, it is
made now a sort of country store
where anything can be had from a |
pin to an anchor.
The Southern people desire the
Government, if we read some of |
the Southern journals Alright, to
set on foot all sorts of measures
for constructing canals, railroads, |
docks, wharves, and whatever is
to the carrying trade.
That these improvements are I
needed we will not stop to discuss. I
That the Federal Government has
the authority under the Constilu-
lion to undertake any such enter
prises, We deny. The traditions
Of the democratic party, from JEFF
lerson's day till the last of the
Presidents, have been against the
power of the Federal Government
lnder the Constitution.
1t il a very easy effort to stimu-
ate the feelings Of aid to the
South. Te feel, as we write, how
lifioult it will be to repress fos-
.ering 4 legislation which he's in ii
both mercy aud justice. But this
S not the epoch in our history
when the democratic party can
.onmit itself to emotional legisla-
ION legislation which is asked
md sustained on the plea Of senti-
nent. The Federal Constitution
must be reasserted in its primal,
integrity as the supreme
aw over Congress, President, and
PEOPLE. The first, the stern, sol
mn duty Of the democratic party
q the next Congress win be to set |
Ip the Constitution Of che United
states on the pedestal where the
athers placed it, and whatever
las been hung on il, or about il,
o hide its features or disfigure It's !
1rm, must be swept away BY the
.oWer Of that Roman virtue which
be democracy processes to cherish
nd obey.
All the infamies which have op-
ressed the South for tho past !
ears have had their origin in the ]
Of the radical party that ]
he Constitution was a covenant !
.ith hell.
Ihe demooraoY mnsh resent this