The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-10-14
B. AUKLEN's ATTITUDE.


stands, as cnnnciatetl in his speech at
Phoenix Hall last Thursday evening, is
essentially that of the Republican party.
It is true he spoke as a Democrat, to
Democrats, and rejoiced with them over
the prospect of a restoration ofthc Dem
ocracy to national power which the
Ohio election has conjnred mp before
their delighted visions-it is true he
animadverted in severe terms upon the
administration OF President Grant, the
reconstruction measures and the Repub-
lican regime in Louisiana, but on the
questions Of practical and present inn
port which he discussed, his position is
identical with that Of the party which,
he and his supporters are opposing in
this contest.
He proclaimed himself q straightont
observation-disclosures WHO farors tue impo-
sltion of protective tariff upon all inn
portations which compete with Ameri-
eau labor and production. This is the
established Republican policy. The DEM
ocratic platform, on the contrary, calls
for Atariff for revenue. only, /" and that
means yirtually-free trade. A tariff in-
tended onlysto produce sufficient revenue
to maintain the expense Of conducting
the government would DO imposed al
most exclusively upon articles Of luxury
and without regard to fostering home in-
dustries and interests. Sugar is not a
luxury, but prime necessity in every
household in the land. Under o logical
application Of the Democratic tariff prin-
ciple, the production Of sugar in Lonisi
ana would cease to be profitable and
would be eventually crushed ont entirely.
Nearly all the Protectionists in the
country are Republicans, nearly all the
Free Traders Democrats; and if the tariff
Issue is to form the main dividing line
between the parties in the future, as Mr..
Acklen believes, the sugar and rice plant
ers Of this State will move over, bag
and baggage, into the Republican camp.
They ought to come now.4
Mr.. Aclslei favored a liberal policy Of
internal improvems,lts-the construction
Of railroads, the binding lfof levees, the
improving Of rivers and harbors, etc.
Never before had these objects received
the attention. and encouragement that
have been given them since the Republi-
! can party assumed control of the gov
crnment. A Republican, President was
the first to advocate national aid in the
protection of the lowlands of the Missis-
sippi valley from inundation, and i Re-
publican Congress has appropriated the
first money granted for the purpose. H.
ternal improvement is prominent
plank of the Republicans platform the
traditions of the Democratic party are
opposed to it.
With regard to the currency question,
Mr.. Acklen announced himself ga hard
money man." opposing the greenback
heresy, but favoring paper currency in
conjunction and interchangeable with
gold and silver. In short, he approved
in toto the financial policy supported and
enforced by the Republican party, the
success Of which has furnished unan-
swerable proof of its wisdom.
Concerning the lamentable illiteracy
prevalent among the people Of the Sonth.
ern States and particularly of Louisiana,
the inadequate facilities for public edu-
cation, and the ACCESSIBILITY of liberal
national aid to this important work, Mr.
Acklen will find few people in this par,
of the country to oppose his sound views
| on these important subjects; and it is
more than probable that the next Con.
gress, whether Democratic OF Republi.
| can, will make provision for lending the
assistance Of the general government
towards lifting the dark cloud of ignor.
ance which hangs over us like pail and
retards the progress of our commons
| wealth.
| On all essential issues, we repeat, Mr.
Acklen placed himself squarely on the
Republican platform, and his Democratic
auditors gave their assent and applause
to his arguments and position. Why
then, should he or they continue tt
array themselves against y party whose
principles and policy they endorse And
why should the people who favor pro
lection, internal improvements, hare
money and national aid to public educa
ton oppose a candidate whose party j.
committed to these measures and who's.
experience, capacity and influence arr
far superior to those OF his Democrat,
competitor!
We shall attempt hereafter to furnish
all explanation of the anomalous posi-
ton Of the Democrats Of the Third Dis
trict, and will also have something NOR.
to say OH the vital tariff question, il
which the people of Southern Louisian;
are so deeply Interested
/ Chief toater Drury is editing all the kellogg
| papers In the Third District.-M0rgun CIT
| RecieM.
Brother Woodeoek is generally SO fail
minded and courteous in expressing hi,
opinions that we suspect some spitefu
aud disgruntled politician has beer
given access to the editorial columns o
the Reeieu " for the purposes Of this cam
paisn.",
| new noSt-n ESee lion r;n,r fl,n ,,,n,o =,