The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-10-15
GALVESTON AND HER QUARANTINE

A late issue OF the Galveston Nc1D8 con-
tains reply to the DEMOCRATS comments
upon the unreasonable and, as we think,
malicious quarantine maintained by Calves
ton against New Orleans. The kindness and
moderation of this reply are only exceeded by
the skill with which 1t evades the real point
at Issue. The NeUs enters upon an elaborate
demonstration OF the proposition that New
Orleans has already lost the larger part OF
her Texas trade, and seems to consider 1t a
sufficient reply to all our protests to show
that we haven't much left to lose through her
unjust and inexcusable policy. We have
never doubted that much OF our trade has been
taken from us. That L. q painfully conspicuous
fact. What We object to is the means by
which this contamination has been reached,
tho Galveston quarantine being chief among
them. It is clear to us that II we were COM
PEELED TO depend upon Galveston as our only
gateway into Texas, we should soon lose all
OF the trade with that State, and we do not
think 1t q satisfactory reply to our complaints
for Galveston to say that since she has 80
nearly bereaved us we shouldn't concern our
selves about the pitirul remnant yet remain
Ing to us. The Ncms couches It's remarks In
h
for all that, the meaning and significance Of
the article are simply to add fresh injury to
our grievance.
1t Ia hardly worth while to prolong the dis
cussion so far as Galveston is concerned, how
ever. The time has nearly passed In which
she has 1t In her power to do New Orleans
harm. Before the next quarantine season
rolls around we shall have perfected rail COM
munication with Texas, and can thenceforth
transact our business with city which,
though quite as anxious for Its health and
safety, Is destitute Of all tho selflshness
which has characterized the so-called
health policy of Galveston. Surely, 1t
can matter little to any one In New Orleans
after that how high Galveston builds her
Chinese wall, or with what stupid folly
her domestic affairs are managed. We
can oontentedIy look on while she exhibits
to the world the fruits OF commit
ting the commercial interests OF great
State to the narrowest Intelligence that
can be found In Its villages. Our interest
In and connection with the proceedings
of Galveston as @ city ends forever on the
day that puts US In possession OF another
means OF reaching Texas, and that day I'VE
thank merciful ProvIdenceD gems to be
very near at hand.
So far as the News Is concerned, or. for that
matter, tho people Of Galveston In general,
we have never considered the question Of its
or their sympathy in the quarantine per-
formances of the Galveston Board Of Health
They may or may not approve OF every
thing that has been done. We look only to
the fact that our painest rights, the simplest
equities to which we are entitled, have been
systematically ignored by an official body
who, II they are not inspired by deliberate
malice, are possessed by superstltious igno-
rance that would disgrace q Digger Indian.
Whether the National government will look
on quietly and see this wrong perpetra-
ted In the future, Is now the only mat
ter which interests u.s. We cannot afford to
exercise ourselves over the Individual stu
pldity Of Galveston. or Montgomery, or Mo-
bile any more than we can waste time In be-
wailing the barbarlsms Of the Dark Ages.