The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-12
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

The many trials and sore oppression
to which the people OF the Southern
States have been subjected during the
last sixteen years, have undoubtedly
very nearly obliterated that element Oh
sentiment In their character, which leu
them in former days to indulge 30 large
ly in abstract principles and theories VI
government. The force Oh clrcum-
stances has made them the most prac-
tical people of the Union; they feel
that they are too poor to wrangle over
theories or to allow themselves
the luxury OF opinions on abstract
questions OF governmental policy.
The wolf is at their doors; the most
urgent problem presented for their 80
luton Is that OF restoring their wasted
fortunes, and little heed will they give
to him who, in the presence Of the ma
terial wants which afflict them, prates
OF the "ancient traditions CT the
Democratic party. Ancient traditions
are good enough to oppose to neW-Ian-
gled theories, but avail nothing as argu-
ments against policy calculated to al
ford practical relief.
Such a policy is that which contem-
plates the extension of governmental
aid to the strengthening OF our levees,
the construction Of Southern Pacific
Railway, and similar undertakings. 1t
NAV be said that the South is almost a
unit In the advocacy OF these projects,
and this fact is the strongest possible
proof that they are necessity to this
portion Of the country. There was
time when the Southern Democracy re-
sisted with all Of its might almost every
feature of the policy Of internal i'm
provements under national auspices !;
but, however much the masses OF
the party may have imagined that
their opposition to this policy was
founded upon principle, their leaders
knew perfectly we'll that at the bottom
OF this opposition lay the natural jeal-
ousy of Southern statesmen at the rapid
development and tremendous growth
in wealth and population OF the great
West, which was directly traceable to
the liberal appropriations made by Con-
gress for works Of national character
in that part of the Union. The South
ern people have now come to realize
that this question Is not one OF princi
pie, but one Of expediency, and that
, they are as much entitled to legitimate
, aid as was the West at the critical time
when it received it SO profusely from
the national Golfers.
We have never favored, and never OK
pect to favor, an indiscriminate system
Of internal improvements, involving
such reckless expenditure OF the PEG
, ple's money as we have witnessed since
the war. Such system is demoraliz
, ing in the extreme, and impolitic Il
every way. Nor have we any sympath,
with those who favor what Is called tn
Capitalization of the government.
centralized, or paternal government
breeds all of the evils which we hav
had so much reason to deplore sine
the close Of the war. But legit
= mate encouragement from the Federt
~ government to works OF actual nece'
y sity, which fall within the power
~ the Federal government to regula1
!, commerce, is not by any means al
- tagonism to the principles Of those VIII
:: like ourselves, favor decentralizatio
. and local self-government as cardin'
- tenets Of Democratic faith, and we sha
- urge with all Of our power the extel
% sion OF national aid to such works
20 the building Of the Mississippi leve'
- and the construction Of Southern T
cific railway.