The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-12-05
COMMUNICATION.

Mr.. ED1roR-
On subject bearing SO intimately
upon the Agricultural interests Of
the Parish, it will be unnecessary to
offer an apology for again asking the
use of your columns for the discus
sion of the existing fencing system.
The article published in your last
conclusively showed the immense
expense and the folly of the system,
viewed in the light Of practical econ
omy and good farming. 1t would
not be difficult to show that all the
evils pointed out in that statement
have been sensibly felt by the plan.
tiers of this section, and in addition
to them the further great hardship
has been experienced of receiving no
protection for their crops from stock,
but az annual and constantly recur-
ring loss by their devastations,
amounting in many cases almost to
the value Of the stock. In some ,n-
stances the losses have been so great
from this source, that both planter
and laborers have become disheart-
ened, and are almost prepared to
abandon the culture of lands, which
though fertile and productive, can
not be protected by any resources in
their power. Nor are these com.
plants confined to few localities,
they come from all sections of the
lowlands of our Parish. An evil so
universal and affecting SO injuriously
that interest which is almost the sole
dependence of our people, is certain
ly one worthy Of attention. As pru-
dent citizens, therefore, it becomes
us at once to look into the matter
and see whether relief cannot be OBJ
tanned. In the consideration of this
question nothing but what is estab-
lished on the grounds of practical
experience should be regarded.
Legislation is nothing unless practi-
cal. Let it be determined what is
the chief occupation of the people
dwelling on the lowlands of the Par
ish, and when that is done, wise leg
islation will look carefully to the
protection of that interest. Stats
tics will show that 999 of every 1000
of that population depend almost en-
tirely upon the p roducts of the soil
for support. The practical ques-
ton then before us is, shall legisla-
ton continue to require that the
main interests of the people shall be
subservient to that which is alto.
gether secondary, that the innocent
crop, which pays all the taxes, feeds
and clothes the people, shall continue
to protect itself against the ravages
ofthe beasts, which pay nothiugp
The consideration of this question
is one of the highest privilege and
Importance to the people Of this
country. In this respect it ranks all
questions Of merely State or political
significance. 1t is vastly more i'm
portant to the true interests of this
Parish, that wise and provident
system of Agriculture should obtain
here, than that a Convention should
be held next year, or some other axe
should be ground on the political
grindstone. Establish such sys-
tenn throughout this State and It's
people can easily defend themselves.
and safely defy all the Vaccinations
of even hostile government. Expe-
rience shows that the atmosphere of
a we'll ordered and we'll to do commu-
nifty is fatal to the existence of polit-
ical conspirators.
AS things stand now, and have
been going since the war, it must
be apparent even to a blind man,
that the Agricultural system of this
country has been retrogressive An
nually going from bad to worse.
With land unsurpassed for fertility
with the prices of farm products
higher than before the war, the plan
tiers of this section, as a class, have
grown poorer from year to year, I'M
til taxation has become an oppres-
sive burden and the question ofexis-
| tence serious problem. The causes
: which have brought about this con-
; dition of affairs are various, and with
equal truth the agencies which will
bring relief are equally various. I
do not claim, therefore, that the do
ing away with the fencing system,
: and the substitution of another better
adapted to the wants of our farming
population, will inevitably result in
the restoration of the Agricultural