The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-04-25
F R E E T L A s T!

The end has come, and after our
long waiting we are at last free, un-
shackled and one of the sovereign
States of the Union. The troops
we're removed yesterday, the bottom
has fallen out of the Packard con-
Germ, and the Nichols government is
in full, acknowledged and unques-
toned possession Of our State. Our
dispatches elsewhere tell the story of
the final downfall and collapse of
Packard and our soul is filed with
thankfulness that we can once again
breathe the air of freedom and that
through trial and tribulation we have
in the end triumpbed over our op
pressors and plunderers. The sun
set yesterday for the first time in
sixteen years on Louisiana free and
untrammeled, and rose this morning
on a united, hopeful and earnest peo-
pie intent upon building up the waste
places that radicalism has made on
our fair domain, and determined
through the arts of peace and fair
government, and by their energies to
restore Louisiana to her former pros
porous and happy condition. Louis
ianians once more govern Louisiana,
and now that we are assured of the
fact, now that we have reached the
goal so long prayed for, so faithfully
worked for and struggled for against
such tremendous odds, we can hard
ly realize that at last the victory is
ours. We could have seen the cup
once more dashed from our eager lips
and still have struggled on, hoped on
and continued to pray for our deliv-
erance. But at last we lay down our
arms, strike Cur tent, and before
leaving the scenes of war for the pur
suits Of peace, and like the battle
worn soldier, breathe long, deep
drawn sigh Of relief, that the end has
come and right has prevailed over
might. Wars rude alarums shall no
more startle our slumbers, nor wars
savage duties burden our days. Like
the veteran on the tented field we
revive the long, weary and almost
hopeful struggle through which we
have passed, and we see that no mat
ter what the numbers Of our foes, no
matter how small our chances of
success, the people of Louisiana have
never lost heart, never faltered nor
wayered in the battle; repulsed and
overpowered they have rallied again
and again to the charge, and now the
god of battles has given them the
victory.
Redeemed, free and regenerated,
Louisiana to-day turns her back upon
the dreary past and reaches out for
the future bri g ht with the
golden hues of prosperity, and
laden with the promise of peace,
good will and contentment. Her
destiny is now in the hands of her
sons and daughters, and theirs must
be the task of making her what she
has been and ought to be again, one
Of the richest and most prosperous
States in the Union. Let the same
energy, pluck and perseverance that
have won US the battle With radical
ism, now be devoted to he allevia.
ton of the financial distress that
surrounds us, and to the coaxing
from our rich and generous soil the
products that will bring us wealth
and luxury, and no where on earth
will there be found fairer or more
attractive place than our own, GU,
loved Louisiana. Yesterday she
shook off her shackles and to-day she
bids her children rejoice in her de-
liverance. Free at last, her letters
broken, her oppressors powerless tc
harm her more, she has promised tc
forgive the past and live for the fu
ture. The past is dead, the future il
ours.
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