The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1876-11-25
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE

keep alive the belligerent spirit ever,
where existing, particularly in certain
portions of the South where party lines
are so sharply defined as to amount
to absolute intercourse with theil
political opponents and complete so
cial ostracism of Republicans BY
Democrats and ignoring Republican
testimony, the indiscleet admissions
of Democratic organs convincingly
proves that ouly the presence OF
United States troops and the firm at
titude of the administration has pre-
served the peace during the past
month, saved many communities from
scenes of violence and bloodshed
rivaling the saDguinary pictures OF
the French revolution of the last
century, and protected the govern
ments of some of the reconstructed
States from subversiOn through the
seditious and revolutionary teachings
of leaders whose forfeited lives, few
years since, were spared by mag
unanimous government On Tuesday
evening and Wednesday morning,
when the returns furnished by the
Democratic agents of the associated
press South, led to the conclusion
that Tilden had been elected, not one
wOr,i, advising resistance to the ex-
pressed will of the majority, could be
heard any where about town among
Republicans, although terribly exas-
perated by the exultant sneers of the
insolent and Inflated Democracy but
when more reliable information had
been received, making the result one
of doubt but rather favoring the elec-
tlon OF Hayes, mutterings of IL f,rcible
opposition to his Inauguration were
heard upon every hand. Indeed, SO
oSN"OU "dS iIC uillCIcuCC Ill tDlS re-
spect between the representatives of
the two parties as to excite general
Democrats here are now
disposed to hide their disappointment
and cllagrin under Il pretence of Re-
PUBLICAN flAnds-:lnd a false count itfI
South Carolina, Louisiana and Flori-
lla; and there is no doubt that many |
pf the rank and file of that party, /
nlsled hy their press and speakers,
honestly entertain such views. There I
is growing conviction that "a repub-
lican form of government is only pos
sible when general education has So
iberalized the views of the masses
that they can approach the consider
alton of matters of public importance
with a breadth of view and judicial
that will fit them for self
government, and relieve them of all
necessity of relying upon unscrupu-
GUS partisans, seeking their own ag-
5randizctnent, for political informa-
ion. Hence compulsory education is
advocated that the gross ignorance
md superstition prevailing in the
south and among the great body of
OIeigners who compose such large
of the population of our
arge manufacturing and commercial
OWNS throughout the North and
Vest, may be dissipated and this rus
ic material-often the most mis-
hievOus in the hands of self seeking
nen-may be converted into an ele-
nent of strength to the Republic,
ather than one of weakness and
anger as it now is.
The failure of Mr.. Alexander r.
otherwise known as Boss
has grieved a host of friends .
nd given occasion for great rejoicing {
mong large number of personal i
nemies. Mr.. Shepherd incurred much
f the Odium that it has been sought
, couple with his reputation while at
he head of the Board of Public Works
nd as Governor of the District. 1t ,
an not be denied that money was
spent and that many indi-
idual cases of great hardship oc
lIred; but one can not resist the :,
Dnviction that the feeling against t
i'm is largely due to his radical char
cter politically, aud to a petty feeling
envy at his great success as a busi-
ess man. He has been largely en- S
aged in real estate, has built hun :
reds OF houses here within the past a
x years, and ascribes his embarass- $
ents To the denresSi0n in the real s