Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-04-19

The action of the administration in
the South Carolina case is already
bearing fruit in Louisiana. The Dem
ocrats who for time counseled mod
Grafton in demand and expediency as
a rule of action. are inspired by the
success of Hampton 10 change ground,
and they now prepare for aggressive
warfare. In an article on the Sena-
torial question, the New Orleans
Times says:
At first many believed and urged
the wisdom of consulting what is in
correctly called eypediency, and Of en-
deavoring to propitiate the national
government by an Abandonment of
some part of our just claims /: but the
number of these has rapidly dwindled
away until it is the exception to find
an advocate of that very questiona BILE
plan. The manly attitude assumed by
Wade Hampton in South Carolina
has produced profound Impression
Its moral is that the straightforward,
bold, and positive course is the one
most likely to convince the country
of our rectitude and to secure prompt
recognition of our rights. 1t has
taught the folly and meanness and
imbecility Of feeble and wavering
course, and proved that, for this once
at least, the wisest policy lies in the
direction Of our feelings and convic-
tons -
/ If the policy is to be shaped by the
| feelings and convictions of the white
Lcaguers of Louisiana VIC all know
what it will be. The Democrats of
Louisiana do not propose to make any
attempt to propitiate the National
Government. They propose to elect
Immediately a Senator who will repre-
sent the party and principles of which
Nichols is the head; to chose man
who has been foremost in fighting the
Republicans and the government in
short, to adopt what the Times de-
scribes as "a firm, uncompromising
attitude, precisely similar to that
which has redeemed South Carolina. -
This is the old, old story. Give
these people an inch and take a mile.
Intimate that they will be treated
fairly, and they at once jump to the
conclusion that they are warranted in
assuming the right to direct you as to
what frmness is, and to take the
management of the case entirely in
their own hands. Intimate that poss-
IDLY the Republicans of the State who
have elected State officers are deserv-
ing of some consideration, and you
cease to be respectable. The Dem
ocrats of Louisiana are not the men to
concede rights to anybody. They will
make no concessions. but will strictly
adhere to the Hampton plan of nego-
tiation. The President must see the
spirit in which his offers have been
received. 1t is the old spirit that
precipitated war years ago, and it is
bent on making trouble now It is
the old spirit of lnsolence, and lntol-
ance that never meant to be concilia-
ted, and that does not know what
fairness means And this spirit seems
to control the Nichols or influencing
faction in the Louisiana Democracy.
Just why they are entitled to any
more consideration than the loyal and
long tried Republicans of the same
State, it is difficult to unde rstand.
Possibly the plan is to give them a
little rope and let them hang them
selves or, in other words, work out
thier own downfall. They are devel-
oping on this line of action rapidly.
They assume to dictate 20 the admin
istration now. they will defy it to-
morrow, and probably be ready fol-
battle next week. And thcn-what