The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-03
WHAT THE COUNTRY WANTS.

A favorite theme with newspaper
writer's and popular subject for politi-
cal orators Is the question Of economy.
The columns OF the press are filled and
the hustings resound with appeals in
behalf Of this great public virtue.
Economy is very praiseworthy and
excellent rule by which to guide the
administration Of public affairs, but in
The exercise OF this quality there
should be displayed, as in everything
else, discretion, moderation and COM
mon sense.
The condition of the whole Southern
country just now 10 such as will require
a liberal, but not extravaganza. policy on
the part of the National Government in
order to develop fully the immense re-
sources OF our section. Governments
were created for the benefit OF the gov
erned. and 1t was never contemplated
that the substance and life Of the peo-
bic should be for the use and benefit OF
the government. But If we are to Judge
hy the present distressed condition OF
the whole land, 1t woAld seem that the
recognized rule had been exactly re-
versed.
This condition of things cannot, how
ever. continue, because 1t Ia in violation
Of the natural law OF progression, and
is opposed to the genius OF American
politics. We have country boundless
in ita resources, and intelligent, indus
trious, enterprising and live people: we
have a powerful. stable and rich gov
eminent, amply able to protect itself
and to provide generously for its sup
porters. With such superior advantages
there is no reason why the whole
country should not prosper, grow
richer and fully realize all the bless
inps held out to us SO beautifully by
nature itself.
We have just emerged from long
period of strife, turmoil. disaster and
prostration Of all industries and enter.
prises, and 1t must be obvious to every
thinking person that parsimony, as it Ii
understood politically. is not the rem
edy for the troubles that have fallen
upon us as the result OF the late war.
What the country wants is energy
enterprise and liberality in the use OF
capital. This obtained. the thousands
OF men now idle and with starving fam
lilies will find profitable employment
cities will grow, towns will spring up
railroads and manufactures be built
and happiness and prosperity reign al
over the country.
For the want Of this capital, which
individuals are slow or unwilling to pu
out. we have been retrograding in ever,
branch Of industry, and growing poorel
day by day until the situation hal
reached a very critical point. Ii
the city OF New York we fine
fifty thousand laborers clamorins
for emplo 1ment by which to Obtain
the means of sustaining life. A
Scranton, In Pennsylvania, few day
since. q thousand men. stung tx
madness by the cries of thei
children for bread, threatened to TAX,
by violence what was denied to them ii
compensation for their labor. But YES
terday the telegraph told us of fou
hundred miners at Straitsyille, in Ohio
marching from place to place on strike
because of the reduction OF wages t
such a figure as made 1t impossible 10
them to live at the prices paid. TAX
our own city and we see four Thousand
annlioants for less than four hundred
polioe appointments. Look around ant
ahuarva the number of idle people Oh