The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-22
It's yearly visitation OF the epidemic, and quar-

Its yearly visitation OF the epidemic, and quar-
antine had few advocates.
The whole faculty in a body then adopted
the theory ofthe native origin and capacity Of
creating the disease In our soil and climate,
and quarantine was secuted MS a barbarous,
Oriental and anti-commerciai idea.
The quarantine advocates were reduced to
q few adventurous young scientists and po-
lemical writer's, and to some of our new emf
grant and unacclimated population. This
popular sentiment prevailed until the dread
fuI plague of 1853. 1t was believed, though
vigorously contested, that this epidemic
could be distinctly traced to importation
from rio. The awful mortality OF this WIS.,
~itation, and the general belief in its foreign
origin, revived tho quarantine idea and gave
1t a decided p%reponderance among the peo-
pie, and enlisted the support of many Of the
faculty who had previously opposed It. 1t
was In Goncession to this public opinion that
the quarantine was established In 1855. The
system, then established, was found to be de-
ficIcnt In many respects. 1t has been amended
by various acts Of the Legislature which have
been consolidated into the present law.
No opposition was made at the time OF it's
proposal to the provisions of this law and Its
various amendments. Indeed, they were gen
orally approved-nay, strongly supported.
To administer md enforce the provisions
of this law q number OF citizens we're ap-
pointed who enjoyed the confidence OF the
whole community. The gentlemen who as
sumed these thankless duties, and especially
the president of the board, declared that the
aHi0ianpy ~ C,,a ru,ttpa oa,,iJ nnI,r IN fnnfaI
and established by q vigorous enforcement Of
its provisions. They warned the people that
1t would involve large sacrifices, would
hamper and obstruct commerce., but that it
must be made as complete and vigorous as
possible In order that It's efficacy might be
tested. Z~~@@@ @#@$w@@
With this warning the Board OF Health,
aided by gentlemen appointed by the City
Council, have performed their duties with
energy, vigilance, and even with severity.
They have only obeyed and carried out the
law as demanded aud approved by the people.
But lOl as soon a the enforcement Of this
law began to bear heavily upon certain COM
mercial interests, and when our people be-
assured that we were safe from any
epidemical visitation, then arose the unrca-
sonable and v~lrulent clamor and denuncia-
ton Of the president and members of tho
Board Of Health; and all the Interruptions Of
our commercial intercourse with neighboring
States, and the great lassitude OF our trade
and business. were packed on these %inoffen-
sive and faithful officials.
This Is the brief history Of this ebuIlition
OF thoughtless clamor and 1mpotent rage,
which impelled 50 many respectable citizens
to address to Acting Governor Witt the petit
ton to which he gave the admirable response
published in our yesterdays edition; a 1e-
which left the petitioners nothing to
say but to express their appreciation of the
courtesies Of the Acting Governor, and We
presume their acceptance of the conclusive
and satisfactory reasons why he should Lot
comply with their petition.