New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-31

tanned by every good Republican and true
Democrat throughout the country.
The first duty Of the government, under
all circumstances. is the protection of life
and property. Under the present state of
feeling in the South, encouraged by the
Democratic and so-called independent
press in the North, this can be done, for the
| present, only by the presence of an army,
and if the forces already stationed in the
rebellious States is inadequate to the emer-
gency. let it be increased even if the gen.
eral army should require to be augmented
for that purpose. Without safety to life
and security to property there can be no
hope for peace or prosperity. .,
The next duty In the present case will be
to restore and guard the ballot box In its
purity, and to protect each qualified voter.
| without regard to color, in the full exercise
of his elective franchise. Wherever the
/ State Legislatures have failed in this duty,
the obligation falls upon Congress to inter
fere in behalf of the oppressed and Ostrar
cised. and to authorize the presence of the
military power wherever it becomes neces-
| sary.
The third duty of the government should.
| we think, be provision for az effective sys-
| tenn of popular. education, in which all
classes will be reached by FREQ schools in
which they can receive a good English edu-
! cation. The appropriation of the receipts
from the sale Of public lands for this pur-
pose is very generally advocated by the
friends Of popular education; and, under
jndicious legislation, the fund-some
$4,000 600 per annum-or certain portion
Of it, with the balance placed on interest
as a reserve fund. would go directly to build
schoolhouses and provide teachers in the
different States. The distribution would be
made on the ratio of illiteracy, and this
would bring the main portion of the fund to
the South, and into those States there in
which it ia most seeded. The schools will
be free to all. and those who fail to use
them will themselves be the sufferers. The
absentees would not be numerous, and
would grow less each year until the attend
ance would become general.
The next duty to the South would be
liberal appropriations for public improve
ments by deepening the mouth of the
Mississippi and securing its levees against
periodical foundations, by assisting pecuni-
arily. in securing increased facilities by
canal and railway for the quick and cheap
transportation of the cotton crop and other
agricultural products; and, by offering
increased Inducements to immigration. and
to the employment of capital in erecting
cotton and ether factories in each Of those
States. The question of liberal appropria-
tons for public improvements is now under
consideration, to follow the restoration Of
peace and HARMONY.
These measures, judiciously inaugurated
and carried. out, would bring to the people
of that section of the Union
!. Security to life and property.
.. Respect for personal rights.
). Freedom OF opinion.
4. Popular education.
5. Universal industry
6. General prosperity.
This will not all be accomplished in aday,
but it is practicable, and its commencement
and progress to successful issue can not
be delayed without hazard to life and prop
erty in those States, and serious injury to
the best interests of the entire country
Will the people of this distracted portion of
the Union yield to the claims of humanity
and their own material interests, forget the
past, and unite with the federal and State
governments in persistent efforts to gro
mote the general goodY Then there will be
40 longer any use for the military power in
the South; peace and prosperity will then
be the common lot Of all, and ere long those
States will become the most attractive,
densely populated, and wealthiest portion
Of the Union Washington Republic.