New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-18
The DEMOCRATIC CHAMPIONS OF LOUIS
lama.

Among the statesmen in whose SER
vices Louisiana is babe to rejoice is Mr..
Cox, of New York, who, having been ele-
waited to the temporary speakership of the
Democratic Congress, has had thereby a
free opportunity to make Mr.. Blaine bite
the dust amid the triumphant laughter
and jeers of the Southern Democracy, SO
greatly exasperated against MI. Blaine in
those sectional alterations which have so
much disturbed the legislation and the
country. We are prepared to acknowl-
edge that in this questionable respect Mr..
Cox, of New York, has rendered the De-
mocracy of Louisiana signal service, the
extent of which can not be determined
at present, until the result of the Gin
cinnati convention shall have been
ascertained. In the meantime we
will employ the opportunity to tell the
capital and business interests something
of the political purposes Of Mr.. Cox, and
it may be thus determined whether the
insult and "badgering" of Republican
member of Congress is full equivalent
for the mischief to be inflicted by Mr..
Cox upon the interests mentioned.
Louisiana was recently startled by the
knowledge that there was purpose to
admit foreign sugar and rice-the product
of Pacific island-duty free. 1t was
asserted by some powerful advocates of
this measure, that it would constitute s'an
era" in the commercial diplomacy of the
United States. 1t is claimed that by
operation of existing treaties, other
nations will be at once subrogated
to the trade favors shown the SOW
ereign of the Sandwich Islands, and
we may suppose that the validity of
that construction would be instantly,
upon the ratification of that conven-
ton, tested in regard to the sugars of
Mexico and of all other countries en-
titled to take advantage Of the condition
stated. Louisiana was, we repeat, startled,
so startled that the relations of capital and
labor broke through the barriers with
which the politicians had separated them,
and in joint council sent to Washington
representatives of these interests to pro-
test against the ratification of the treaty.
Among those who voted in the House
for bill to modify the duty on sugar and
rice in accordance with the terms of the
treaty, was Mr.. Cox. He is thus the ad-
vocate of free sugar and rice to the extent
they may be made free by intent or
operation of this treaty. That our plant
ers and laborers may appreciate the posi-
ton of Mr.. Cox upon this question we
will publish some expressions Of principle
avowed by him.
1t seems that Mr.. Cox was invited some
months ago to ''assist," as the French
have it, at banquet given by the silk
manufacturing interest. It is known that
this important and infant industry is
wholly dependent upon the protection
afforded by heavy duty on foreign silks.
Mr.. Cox, with commendable candor, told
his hosts that he was their opponent on
principle. He said:
know am not talking in harmony with
the sentiment of this meeting. I do not
believe that any one expected me to say
what do not believe; bat NO matter for
that.
He enters upon an argument in opposi-
ton to protection. His thesis is that no
one should be declared the right of pur-
chase in the best market. He says:
The only wonder 10 that the nation does