Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-04-19

= DURING THE REIGN OF TERROR. 4
Reasons Why the Seat Of Government
Should be Located Away from
the Great City.
support ofthe popular expression
rendered in November last by the
people of Louisiana in favor Of the
restoration Of the Capital to Baton
Rouge, we have thought it opportune
to bring forth at this time the opin-
ions that dispassionate thought and
research into the events of the past
have suggested to the patriotic and
distinguished writer who guides the
editorial columns of the Courier DIES
EMts Unis, d journal whose reputa-
ton and influence extends among the
French speaking populations of both
hemispheres. The able journalist has
seen fit to reproduce a letter bearing
Oh the principle in question, written
by the illustrious Thomas Payne, the
American who had linked his fortunes
with the French Revolution of 1889,
and whose name figures conspicuous
ly as member of the National AS
scmbly during that never-to-be for
gotten epoch, when under Freedoms
name, torrents Of blood were shed TO
establish forever what was then term
ed "Libert, Equality, FRATERNITY"
The Courier says
We know very well, and have said
that it was irritating to think that the
Republic does not possess sufficient
confidence in itself to encounter the
tumults of the Capital; but that con-
sideration, based on sentiment, is in
sufficient to hide the brutal truth, and
cause one to overlook the events
that are indellibly stamped in our
history that there is IN Paris as IN
other great conglomerations Of popu-
lice, a hoating mass ofigno,unce,v ant
md rice, that is ever ready to yield
to passionate excitement, or seduc-
tons, and although it does not always
bring revolution, to alarm the country
by the assembling Of it's mobs, even il
they only represent factions at Meiy
lead, and money IN their rake, creating
the illusion that there is force within
it sufficient to paralize commerce and
in fact, all vital elements that COM
pose the public wealth.
Verify, seriously and without re-
serve, we believe that American in
situations would by far standin great
err danger were the White House and
the Capitol located at New York OF
Philadelphia, instead of at Washing
ton! We readily imagine that we see
the professional politicians, the lead
ers and their clans with the MODS OF
the primaries, recruited amongst the
worst elements of society, marching
in dense columns, as if it were St
Patrick's day, to conquer the passage
Of a bill presented by representative
or a group OF representatives in high
favor with these masses. We would
sec here in New York, as elsewhere
these assembled elements Il
single speech can sometimes intlame
as swiftly as a match thrown in q
powder magazine--cause the most de-
plorable explosions. The American
people, who view the political arena
as it. is, understand this well, and they
would receive with derision the prop
osition that a congressman would
submit, having for its object the re-
moval of the Capital from the neutral
ground that it occupies. They would
answer that it is fundamental prin-
ciple with them, that legislation shall
be framed by legislators celebrating
freely and uninhueneed by popular
passions. That it is for this reason
they have constructed q Capital City
away from the roadways of commerce
and chat this principle has guided the
States in establishing their local Cap
itals, where it was likely that large
groups of people would notconglomo,
rate. We firmly believe that France
will act wisely in initiating this exam,
pie, for it is one of the best teachings
that the American Republic has given
ours.
An ancestor of those who govern
France to-day, Thomas Payne, the
American, rises from his tomb, as il
were, to protest against the return Of
the government to Paris. The jour
nails of that city, under date of March
Oath ult., have published very in.
teresting letter addressed, on the 9Th
Of May Of the year II Of the Republic
to Danton by Payne, who was tht
friend of Washington, and was adj.
mitted to the National Convention o.
France III 1892, where he voted witt
the Girondists, q stand that brought
upon him the honors of the guillotine
AS he had taken an imDortant mari