The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-04-04
COMMUNICATION.
EDITOR DEMoCRAr-

EDITOR DEMocRAr-
1t is but natural that the people of
Louisiana should manifest exceeding
Impotence at the delay in the settle
ment of the Louisiana case. Every
hour of postponement subtracts from
the substance of an already impover-
ished people; it blights the growth
of confidence, prostrates business,
checks enterprise, obstructs opera
tons in town and country and ex-
cuses idleness, while the anxiety and
suspense are hardly endurable. We
must remember, however, how much
We have at stake, how much we have
gained in the face of adverse circum-
stances, by courage and patience, and
how much more we are likely to gain
by patience in holding firmly. Nor
should We forget how much we may
lose by rashness and hasty impa-
thence. 1t is certain that at the word
of command the Nichols battalions
could storm the State House, and, in
q few minutes, wipe the Packard
Government with all OF it's officers
out Of existence, but it is equally Ger
tain that the act would cost US the
Nichols Government, and, indeed,
no one could tell how much else it
would cost US and cost the country.
Yet, if it were attempted to set up
MIR. Packard as Governor over US,
the people Of Louisiana would not
count the cost, and would unhesita.
tingly prefer state of actual war to
the slow torture and legalized rob-
berry of the Packard Government.
We should not allow our impatience
make Us lose sight of the main OBJ
ject for which we have contended;
nor should we sacrifice that object,
now so nearly gained, in fit of blind
fury. It is we'll known that the Pres
idential question was a matter of
secondary Importance as compared
with the State issues in the late cam
paign. The great and all-absorbing
question in Louisiana was that of 10
cal self.government-the right so
long denied, of electing our own OH.
GERS and Legislators, and the right to
install them and keep them in Office,
and the only real interest the people
Of this State had in the national con
test was whether or not a President
should be elected who would remove
Federal interference and guarantee tc
them the right to rule themselves
1t is also we'll known that Mr.. Tildeu
was the representative of the bond
holding, railroad and other interests
which were adverse to the interests
of Louisiana; and the Democratic
platform, framed by Eastern and
Northwestern Democrats with a spe
cial harshness and hostility toward
the South, received a necessary bu,
reluctant support from the South
We had every reason to believe
from Mr.. Hayes absolute silence du
ring the canvass, and the Morton
Blaine ard Bob. Ingersoll style Of
conducting the campaign, that III
spite of the noble sentiments in Mr.
Hayes letter of acceptance, Grants
policy Of hate and intolerance TOWARD
the South, and Federal interference
in State affairs, would be continued
if Mr.. Hayes were inaugurated. Gu,
! main object was to secure the State
Government and home rule by the
election of the Nichols ticket. W.
did elect Nichols by a large MAORI
ty, but found ourselves confronted
with the trickeay and treachery o.
our unscrspulons Returning Board
while the Presidential contest was it.
self thrown into confusion and doubt
BY the same agency in this State anG
by similar Returning Boards and
Canvassers in other States. In due
time We inaugursted and established
the Nichols Government in spite O
the pretended government of Mr.
Packard, set up 10 and confined to
single building. The Nichols Gov
eminent has now been in existenc,
and active operation, over the whole
State, for three months. 1t is per
feet and complete in all its parts. 1
is self sustaining and will be main
tanned at any and all hazards. 1
will and must be maintained in it!
entirety without compromise or dis
honorable concession. Louisiana i.
safe in trusting her affairs TO the firm
' and vigorous hand of Governor Nj
: cholls. He has thus far, though be
set by many dangers and and over
whelmed with multitude of coun