The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-09-03
lonalosoabllle GbIlef.
- n,r.n Ilnllars Year.
The Acquisition Of Property our
Privilege and our Duty.
BY OSCAR LANDRY

Until 1865 our race, dating tIeif ell
frapchisement from that year, were not
nronerty holders. Onr labor went to ell
1icl, others, but now the fruits OF our
toll are our own. No people have ever
attained emincnce who were not land
holders. The Anglo saxons, Tentons and
Norsemen trace the beginning Of their
rare distinction to this fact and if our
race has future, honorable and success
FIJI. iii fair and generous rivalry WIN
other races, it must initiate these historic
examples. Therefore, By the highest
sanctions, we claim it to be our privilege
to own property, especially real estate,
regardless of mans occupation in. life.
There is no reason why Il common la
borer can not own his homestead. 1t
matters very little what kind of labor he
is engaged in, he has this cheering hope
before him and il he labors diligently he
will in the space of u few toiing but
hopeful years, command farm OF his
own and say of his home, this is mine,
the purchase of my own toll and sell
denial. There is an immense tract Of
acres requiring cultivation throughout
this great commonwealth, under the
control of the government and within
the means of the smallest capitalist. 1t
is our privilege to purchase and fertillze
it, and why should we not avail ourselves
of this snnobling privilege. The qnes-
ton may be propounded, how are we to
accomplish such useful and essential
end Z Let us remember that no race as
cends the ladder Of notoriety which can
not compete with other races in the mar
kets of the world. 1t is our privilege to
cling to all we acquire lionOrably-sO far
as extravaganza and luxury are con
ccrncd-as the miser clings to his gold.
Then letns labor with this aim in life
and foster it with lofty aspirations.
There is only needful persistent, earnest,
unwcaried, selfdenying ecopomy. With
this is brought i'll rcquisition the vital
subject of education, the fountain head
of all true cmincnce. The acquisition of
property is not only privilege, but it is
II duty VIC owe TO ourselves. II is the
duty of e.ery man to secure for himself
real estate, plantation if possible, an
acre il he can acquire no more, at least
4 humble cottage with its gardens bap-
TIED with the blessed name of home.
Most men confess the Importance of this
truth, but few lay it seriously to heart.
Except in the departments of material
progress, it seems to be accepted practi-
cally rs great truth.
We are in the yiyor of youth, notwith-
standing our growth has been checked
by the expressions and race distinctions
OF the past and our constitution enfce-
blcd by the vices and maltrcatment APP
piled to our progcnitors. But, thank
heaven, the bondsman has ceased to OK
ist and the freeman has become !. living
and mighty force i'll society and the
State. Within Our territory, stretching
through many degrees of latitude ant
longitude, we have the choice of pur
suits requiring both common and Skilled
pcn'lence. The government is mild the
press is free; religion is free; knowcdg,
reaches or may reach every home Wha
taircr prospect Of success could be pre-
scntcd, What means more adcuuat,
could assist us IN accomplishing such
sublime and vital end !. Poor nan cal
ascend to greatness and fortune and be
come men of responsibility and honor i
they are intelligent ana Industrious. w
highest rank us the peers Of the mobiles
and hest we belong to a great and pow
rrful nation. No matter where we are
let it be across the beautiful blue water
III China or Japan, or Oh the contncn
of Europe-wc have at our backs til
American navy, the American flag, on
National :rgis to protect us.
This privilege has been accorded us u
the highest constitutional sanctions
Therefore, l allure you, procure &c
yourselves property, real estate, !, hom.
stead: become landholdcrs. Then, al
not until then, shall we he able to emf
late these historic examples which illu
trate the triumph of dominant races. Q
locking hncll over the careers of me
distinguished III art, science and liter:
lure, We see at once that it is not by al,
special event OF turning point nf life, b.
the spirit and aim and work of life th
the value Of such mems lives are cstin
ted.
Let the scientific man pass his life a
corllng to the Haconan ideal, in inlu
tlions observations and profitable invc
ions and di>courscs and in the practic
results Of science, and he Mil have ",
his place in the worlds esteem and gra
itudc The lessons taught hy orr surv,
IRE the simple lessons Of thoughtfulne
and activity and perseverance, nobili
ai aim and motive Of life. Any nome
ni real success, however brilliant, pass
ntl AID imparts life to the ordinary CT
rent u though; and activity. The Ike,
est delights suel, men would tell rs, !:
il, the exercise OF ones faculties a
powers, the feeling that their lives !:
Elevated 10 The highest purposes. I
delight of the artist iii his work is so,