New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-06
NEW ORLEANS, THURSDAY, MAY q 1875
''Clean Out the Carpet.Baxgers.. >,

Siean Out the CarDetelSaXGers.'
In discussing the carpet.bag question in
Illinois, the Chicago Post and Mdil, under
tie above heading, takes occasion to COM
pare that State with louisiana Illinois
was admitted into the Union in l8IS six
years after the admission of Louisiana, and
both States have felt the carpet-bag inhu.
ence. Louisiana, in particular. has always
been the champion carpet-bag State. Its
first Governor was imported, the laborers
who developed the agricultural wealth of
the State were brought here against their
will, and it is notorious that SO far as New
Orleans is concerned, tho men who have
become most eminent at the bar, in
the pulpit. in medicine and in bust
ness here are those who happened to
be born elsewhere, notwithstanding the ex-
isting feeling against carpet-baggers, feel
ing which waxed to the warmth of blood.
shed when the Know Nothing excitement
caused carpet-baggers TO be killed for the
absurd reason that they had been born in
Ireland Since the war of tue rebellion Of
the Southern States carpet.baggers have
lana, and they have consequently had the
time and opportunity to make the State
wealthy. We extend to the dowu-troddeh
natives CT Illinois the sympathy lavished
upon Louisiana by the New York Ford.
The Chicago Post says:
The case of Louisiana is truly deserving
of pity and relief. Out OF l25 members Of
the Legislature, more or less, probably one
fourth are not natives of the State, mere
'rascaliy carpet-baggers, born in the North,
with foreign tastes, affiliations. and instincts.
These men have procured by partisan
means their election to the Legislature,
and, by uniting with the renegade native
Louisianians, they domineer the original
lords of the soil. These evils ought to be
redressed: and Congress should not allow
the agonized petitions of down-trodden
PelicaDs to fall upon Indifferent ears.
What is Congress for if not to redress
grievances!
1t is also proper for State Legislatures to
JOIN in the effort to emphasize the griefs of
sister States, and the action of the Illinois
Legislature IN this respect is worthy of ap-
prOval.
But 1t Is always more influential to make
common cause in these cases of usurpation.
BY union greater force and volume is &C.
cured, and when grievances are of a like
nature there Is economy IN combining to
secure redress. To this end we call the at
tentlon OF the Spring. field Legislature to the
greatest outrage that was ever perpetrated
upon free people. To be sure, relief will
involve the dissolution of both houses at
Springfield. But we much mistake the
temper OF the patriots who now control
affairs in these bodies if they sha!! prove
unequal to the obligation of self-sacrifce
when it becomes necessary to sustain the
great principle Of local self f-government.
The truth is that Illinois is far more
completely given over to carpet bag rule
than Louisiana, and the evil is the more
disgusting ON account of the insdious way
in which 1t las managed to obtain a foot
hold.
The fact has come out, however ia a little
publication entitled Legislative Manual
1873. just issued at Springfield.
Here are arrayed the names of the men,
bers of the State legislature their ages,
occupations and place of birth. With the two
former We have nothing to do. A farmer.
lawyer, doctor, preacher, or insurance man
has right to go to Springfield and help
make laws, II he can secure votes enough to
elect him. The matter of age is also indif-
ferent. BIT the natirity is important. ne
wtsh ITO carpet baggers IN tais State to eat out
Our substance, especially no Soulhcs'1. CARPET.
baggers.
Illinois was admitted into the Union in
1918, and enough time has elapsed in which
to grow all the legislators needed for home
consumption. At least the native born citi-
zens of this State are entitled to their pro
portion OF representation. There can be no
doubt Of that
But how stands the facts In the first
place, by the census of 1870, illinois had a
population of 2, $50 89l, OF which I,IS9,494,
or nearly one-half, were born in the State.
Louisia Jana had at the same time a popula-
ton OF 1269l5, of which sol, 400 were born
IN the State. In general terms it may be
stated that hvesevenths of the inhabitants
OF Louisiana are native born, and one-half
the people of Illinois. Now. then, look at
our Legislature. Out of fifty one Senators
and l53 members of the House. making a
total OF 2Ol, only twenty-nine are natives
of the State; and among the carpet boggers
thirty jor are natires OF Southern States,
chiefly from hcutucky. Virginia and Ten.
s,essee. Twenty-nine out OF 2O4 OF our leg
islators are natives of the State Only one.
seventh OF the men who make our laws ara
sons of the soil, while the South is repre-.
seAted in our councils by vote OF thirty |
four, or an excess Of i've over the total
number of native Illinois men in the I.egis. |
Iature.
These startling facts demand attention.
We do not counsel violence, although there |
are trees with limbs upon them near Spring !
field. and rope could no doubt be bought at |
with percentage Oft But, |
first. by all means, try moral suasiOn. Let |
these foreig'l gentlemen k'aosy they are not |
'ronted. Treat 'en, to a little social ustro-
'ism: snub their children at the public |
schools; lei the notives cut their arircs and
daughters if they meet them IN the street. |
IN short, let gentle persuxvies frs: be tried.
falling IN them, resort must be had to |
stones.