Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1878-09-21
(COm nalnicated.)
WEST FELICIANA, La,
September 18th, 1878

| written authority that, "men no not
make the whole of history; it has laws
of higher origin; but, in history, men are
unrestricted agents who produce for it
results and exercise over it an influence
Tor which they are responsible" The
truth of this axiom is sustained and H.
Illustrated in the history of all ages and
peoples both as relates to their civil and
religious exercises, as well as to their So
cial and political actions. The manners
and custc ms of men differing with the
periods of time, and the countries in
which they live. Upon a close examine
tory of the world, and the affairs of men;
we find in a moral sense, but little adj
vancement, and if we are permitted to
except the ancient practices of barbarous
cruelties, the world has made little pro-
gress as regards its moral condition;
while to speak in a political sense. the
politics of to-day, are but the reproduce
ton of an hundred years ago; only
changing name to suit the time and
place, and the political opponents of that
time, and place, must accept the respon-
sibility which attaches itself to their
agencies as IL part of history. Through
all time, the same eXpediencics have
been resortcd to; The wisdom of this or
that policy, having for each side the
warmest zealots whom from one motive
or another have ever directed their at
tention to the masses of the people APP
pealing to their passions Without argyll
ment or reason, ready at any moment to
plunge them into the greatest excitement
or revolution. The adroit chicanery which
characterized the efforts of Tallyrand in
overcoming the combined action of
the Allies of Europe against Napo-
leon, the true representative of the
masses Of France furnish us fit eSain-
pies of the ntrigues of our own time, in
the establishment ofth universal dc.
bauchery and corruption which exists
throughout this broad dominion. There
is little difference between the shameless
treachery which dethroned the Emperor
of France at the hands of his political
con(reres, linked with perfidy of the Eng
lish nation in consigning him to ignoble
confinement; than the exercise of the
Vaccinations of skillful politicians who
defrauded the American people out of
their chosen leader and representative,
at the time of our last election. We can
recognize the necessity of different polit-
cal organisms at present, as in times
past; each contending for the balance of
power, and differing upon minor points,
but agreeing upon the general principles
Of government, relying upon the masses
for support, and claiming the "greatest
good for tho greatest number ;" these
checks are necessarialy good where par
ties are about equally proportional, but
in the existence of too great majorities,
much evil must eminate, and no people
can testify to these evils, than those
among us who have their lots Gait in the
southern states, The great captain and
statesman mentioned above, enunciated
the maxim that, "the people, were the
sovereigns and not tho kings To a
close observer of the course of events, one
might easily observe the rutf1ing waves
that already begin to agitate the sea of
politics that lavishly wash the shores of
American Institutions. There is dissatis-
faction among tho people, and in conse-
quence new idies are being indoctrinated
by disappointed politicians from both of
our recognized political associations.
Some claim.cg an Initiation of the nation
al currency as u basis upon which to or
game q new party; some claiming the
right of labor over capital, the re duction
of taxation, and accumulated fortunes,
the eight hour law ETC., while others cry
out for a general reform, hard money, equal
distribution of public offices, aud u uni
versal overthrow of both the old parties,
Democratic and Republican.
These clarmors from the people as re-
CARDS our national affairs must meet, and
arrest the attention of every citizen
of our country who entertains a feeling
of interest for its general welfare, and
safe conduct. The agrarian spirit which
appears to be gaining strength at the
North and East must in the lapse of time,
find encouragement in the West and South.
10 doubt this, will be, but to doubt the
truth of history. The pioneer in one of
these great schemes is haranguing the
aimablc souls ofthc puritan church goers,
using the most inexplicable language,
amid the plaudits Of thousands wherein
he dwelis frantically upon the Democrat
ic hell hound thieves, and Republican
robbers. These IDEAS and feelings grow
upon Il people as an epidemic, they
come uron them unawareS, they inhalo
them in the very air without their con-
sent or knowledge. The fated causes
which produce these limitations, these