Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-12-04
HELP YOURSELVES.

by forming Associations in every par.
ish Of men who would be willing u
contribute to this cause, by paying
monthly dues Of from fifty cents to
one dollar. We suggested also, that
these Associations might then, by the
election Of delegates, constitute q
State Central Committee, who would
give general direction to the move
ment. aa
Louisiana finds herself to-day, in
the position Of new State. Every
thing is to be recognized. The sys-
TEN Of planting on a large scale is
becoming more difficult and expensive
with each succeeding year. Labor il
becoming SO uncertain that at any
moment our agriculturists are liable
to find themselves owners Of broad
acres without hands to extract the
wealth that lies hidden under their
surface.
Thrust be borne in mind that the
Southern people are political outcasts
and that a Federal Administration
inimical to them is about to be install
ed for the next four years.
Have we not seen the bowling der
wishes of the Republican party urging
the colored laborer to leave our fields
to 60 to the Western and Northern
States. Does not the voice Of pru-
dence warn us that there is to be no
change in the tactics Of those implaca-
bic haters Of the SOUTH
Coming events cast their shadows
before. While we do not wish to
spread unwarrantable alarm among
our people, we feel that we are per-
forming a patriotic duty by urging
them to prepare for the contingency
of the growing scarcity Of labor and
the consequent decline in the value Of
our rich lands.
To attract the current of emigra-
ton to Louisiana is to work for the
enhancement of the value Of our lands
and to prevent their depreciation.
We are eager to see onr State on
the upgrade towards lasting pros
perity; but must admit that under
existing circumstances, that gaol seems
very remote.
We have seen our people close their
ranks in defense of their liberties with
an unanimity that excited the respect
of even their bitterest foes.
The time has now como for them
to unite in an effort to protect and
promote the individual as we'll as the
common interests, by contributing to
bring a hardy set of occupants to the
boundlcss acres OF. nowssasy alueless
lands. ~ pge Rst s~~s &Ros ryeP
) f1hehard times are woven with
the mass Of our real estate, which
does not represent one-fourth of its
real value. The hard times lie oh
the surface of every acre of untitled
land in Louisiana.
Can any sane man deny the truth
fulness of our allegations?
The solution of our difficulties is
within our grasp, requiring but con-
cert of action and Insignificant sacri-
fees to achieve their termination.
For one we are ready to contribute
our humble share with our fellow
citizens and to align the CAriToLIAN
with its brethren Of the press who
may be willing to enlist in this cam
paign for the common welfare and
the glory OF Louisiana.
We appeal to our New Orleans con.
freres to talk less of their grand
schemes to gain the trade Of distant
States and countries, but instead to
urge upon their business men and
to aid in bringing emf
grants to the richest lands in the
world, those Of their own Louisiana.
Untold wealth is laying at the very
doors of New Orleans, more than
sufficient to enrich a city of half
million of inhabitants The Red River
and the Ouachita sections, Central,
Eastern, and Western Louisiana have
not one-tenth of the population that
might make a kingdom of our State.
Let Brazil, Mexico and the Pacific
States alone for awhile: they will
bring their trade to New Orleans
when Louisiana will have been placed