New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-11-28
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY NOVEMBER g. 1873


banks feel that the ground under them is
solid at least for four years more. This
state of things is important in twofold
point Of view. 1t is important as it relates
to business prospects this winter and next
spring, and it is important as it bears on
political sentiment, as this sentiment is
represented by merchants, bankers, manu-
lecturers, shipowners and other capitalists
or distributors Of capital. The people of
New Orleans are deeply interested in both
aspects of the questiOn-in it's bearings on
business and also in it's bearin gs on politics.
The business interests of the South, SO
lrng as the South forms a part of the
American Union, are involved in making
good the bonds of the United States. The
recognition of the Confederate debt or any
part thereof, or the reputation of the
national debt of the United States govern.
ment, can not add to the prosperity of the
Southern States so long as those States form
a part of the American Union. The bust
ness interests of the South, therefore,
should make its merchants and landowners
cooperate with the government in main
tanning the national credit.
The measures needed outside of this main
tenance of the national credit to promote
Southern prosperity, consist in promoting
proper cultivation of the soil, the establish
meDt of local industries, and the extension
of the foreign trade of the Southern Sec
ton of the Union, None of these objects
Can be promoted SO long as Southern s0ci-
ETY. remains in heated. agitated, rev0lu-
tionary condition. This condition of revo-
lutionary unrest is fatal to all the best in
terests Of the Southern people. The condi-
ton of Mexico is an illustration of
evils which are sure to follow
upon a revolutionary and turbulent
state of society. Emigration will not seek
country convulsed by periods of political
revolution. Capital shrinks from invest
ment in such a country. Private enterprise
languishes among a people who live by and
upon political agitato These truths ought
to be clear to the business men of New Or
leans. Their proximity to Mexico and the
Spanish republics" of Central and South
America should teach New Orleans mer-
chants that law and stability go hand in
hand not only with civilization, but with
commercial progress. They should there
tore be fully prepared to understand that
Democratic restoration means the utter
prostration of trade throughout the coun-
try. Certainly they can not be SO blind as
not to see that the continued ascendeDcy of |
the Republican party for the next four or
eight years will give stability to all branches |
OF trade aud industry.
But if the business men of the South |
close their eyes to the facts above stated, |
now settled that the business interests of |
the North will not intrust the safe keeping |
Of the national treasury and the national |
credit to the Confederate-Dem democracy. THIS |
much is settled. This feeling will grow |
stronger and stronger from this time for |
ward until the next Presidential election. |
1t will in itself measurably determine the |
result of that elect on. 1t is impossible to |
overestimate the importance OF this one |
fact, as it bears upon national parties. The |
antIre body of recruits" which the Con |
Democracy had secured was made |
40 from the business men of the North, who |
mad been deluded into the idea that Con
ederate rule meant financial stability and |
more cotton" Sensible people now ste
hat financial stability depends on continu-
ng the Republican party in power, and
hat more cotton" will come only from /
educated citizenship, labor, and the eul-
ivation of Southern soil by small land
,wners.
1t is to be hoped that men otinfuence at
he South will now abandon the Confed-
rate organization and organize new
,arty, in harmony with the principles set
led by the war. Such party ought to
ome out of the South. Headed by proper
men, it would exert most beneficial indu-
nee in the nation. The essential basis of
uch party would be the recognition of the
citizenship rights of the emancipated race
nd the recognition of the political status
# the four Republican States of South Care
ina. Florida Louisiana and Mississippi as
republican States. The North will never
onsent to negro serfdom in any form, nor
will the North consent to the overthrow of
he four States above mentioned, and where
he experiment of the capacity of the negro
or seltsoyerpment is being worked out
nder the protectorate of the American
MON. Nor will the anti slavery sentiment
t the North consent to intrust the future
t the negro to the Confederate party, espe-
tally as the ally of the negro hating De-
locracy of this section.
Southern statesmen must now make up
heir minds rapidly on these issues and act
romptly, or the Confederate leaders, en-
outraged by Southern Bourbons, will ''pre-
ipitate" another conflict, more bloody and
estructive than the one from which the
ountry has just emerged. B.
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