The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-26

| ment and of the several States, more abso-
| lutely than tho land monopolists of France
did the government Of the Bourbons. The
French people arose In one of the most SUBJ
| lime demonstrations ever made by people,
and by the peaceful exercise of their political
rights destroyed and obliterated forever this
aIistocracy. II the effects of this great
achievement were afterwards impaired,
and their just and philanthropic ends end
sentiments perverted and abused through the
selfish ambitions Of demagogues and the
excuses Of partisan fury, 1t Is nevertheless
| true that the benefits TO France from this
| overthrow Of monopoly and aristocracy.
and enlargement of the rights of the
people, were Of the most inestimabIe and
permanent character. They may be seen
In the present condition Of that eoln-
try, in the equalized condition of the
people, In the security of labor from all forms
of oppression, In the solid condition Of the
credit and finances Of the nation and in the
enormous productiveness Of the people. This
too, after three-quarters Of q century of wars
revolutions and their attendant calamities.
OF corrupt usurpation and bad governments
Like results may be achieved In this coun-
curing like perils and trials. The will Of
the people peacefully and regularly ex-
pressed Is all that is necessary to accom-
plisf this great relief of our country
from the crushing and demoralizing effects
OF legalized monopoly. A bloody revolution
or commune Is not needed. Indeed such
resorts and agencies will only aggrayate
the evil we seek to get rid Of.
We have only to assert the Independence 90
the people OF all corrupting influences of the
favored few, and to declare unconditional
warfare against the whole system of exclusive
privileges and OF artificial capitals based
upon franchises which belong TO the people,
and ought never to be assigned to rings and
associations truth, ought never TO, be AS
signable to private persons
Our several constitutions should contain
absolute prohibitions of all legislation and
grants OF such exclusive rights. In fact,
without such prohibitions the State constit,i
ton ought not to BIO e nsidered as i'm accord
with the Requirement Of the Federal eonstitu-
zion, which provides that each State should
have republican form Of government
Can that be q republican form of govern
ment which permits and authorizes an aris-
tocracy2 Is not that an aristocraey under
which few men are endowed with privileges
which are denied to ALP Let us illustrate.
Take that abominable instrument under
which the people OF Louisiana have been con-
tented too long live, the constitution of 1868 |
Under this instrument some half q dozen |
chartered monopolies have been established |
by which a few so-caled capitalists manage to |
collect large taxes from the people, which the |
State alone has the franchise to collect. These |
few use, employ and capitalize these fran
ohises for their own punishment and the |
oppression OF the people In many of these
corporations the only capital employed has
been raised through the sale or mortgage of |
5hese franchises. The mohopolists have con-
,ributed nothing of their own either of in
iustry or money. 1t is the States end peo-
ole's property they have used and of which
hey are to make their profits.
Against such a system as this the people
must cooperate in a united effort throughout
'he country, not by clubs and mobs, but
through more lawful and peaceful methods
~ which alone great political evils and
buses can be arrested and eradicated