The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-08-11
WHAT SHALL WE DO TO BE
SAVED?

The political events that are grad
ually developing throughout the
country, possess an interest to The
general public, and particularly te
! the citizens Of our own State, that
cannot well be overestimated. The
subject, however, that would seem
most vital to the people of Louisiana
in view of their past deplorable mis-
fortunes and suferings, is the re-
demption oftheir own State; yet this
is not the real issue of the hour indie
pendently of all others. The cam
paign Of 1876 will be the most gigan,
tic or vital political contest ever pre-
cipitated upon the American people.
In it, we firmly believe, will be invol-
we'd the life or death Of our Repub-
lican government. On it's issue, as
a contest for the Presidency of the
United States, will depend the hopes,
happiness, prosperity and liberties Of
100000 Of people. The public
mind. should, therefore, not be di-
verted from the real vital point in
volved in this contest by any ques-
tons of finance, tariff or civil ser
vice, which platforms or politicians
Of the country may present. The
government not only needs change
of rulers, but it needs a change in the
dominant politics and law-making
power. The Republican party have
held the destinies of the people and
the character of the government in
as absolute possession for fifteen
years as if they were private, person
al chattels held by an inherent right
Of ownership. What has been the
result of this fifteen years of posses
sion? Tyranny, persecution and
poverty have been fastened upon the
people Of ten Of the fairest States of
the Union. The constitutional safe
guards of liberty have been so far
trampled upon and set aside by Vi
cious and incompetent President,
that the republican character of our
institutions is seriously threatened
with humiliation.
The great aim, then, of the people
of the whole country in the campaign
of 1876 should be the overthrow of
the Republican party and the install
lation Of a Democratic administra-
ton of the government. The change
is necessary. No matter what pecu-
liar views Of finance the Democratic
party of any State may announce, the
conservative press of the country
should strive to keep before the PEG
Pile the real necessity of the hour, in
stead of criticising or rebuking this
Or that platform of principles. Let
the finance, tariff and civil service
take care of themselves until the peo- |
pie at the ballot box have accom-
plished the great national blessing of
restoring the Democratic party to
power.
We cannot but regard the clamor
'or specie payment and the stupid
lamentations INDUCED by portions
If the Democratic press, at the f.
lancial views announced in the Dem
'cratic platform of Ohio, as, at this
line, nothing more nor less than an
Unfortunate diversion of the public
mind. The Democrats of Ohio un-
lerstand full well what are the real
necessities Of the country. They be-
ieve that the question of finance,
however important, should be subor-
Innate to the great issue, paramount
o all others, Of destroying the Re-
party Of this country and
'lacing the general and State gov
rnments in the hands of the Democ-
acy. Their platform would seem to
nticipate that all financial problems
an best be solved by the natural ne
essities and relations of commerce;
r in other words, that they will de-
elope and adapt themselves to the
rants of trade, Independently Of laws
nd platforms. It does not attempt
o depreciate nor degrade specie cur
ency; on the contrary, it demands
at as early period as
practicable, but suggests that, in the
Meantime, the volume of circulating
nedium be made and kept sufficient
meet the wants of trade. Then
he only open question is, whether
he volume Of currency is sufficient
lready to meet those wants? Call
pom the hundreds of idle manufacto-
les and mines in the North and
Vest, the suferings and wants Of