The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-04-05
INTERESTING POLITICAL REVIEW

Subjoined is the letter from DR.. A. Du
perier of New Iberia, late Republican nomi
nee for State Treasurer, to which reference
was made in the CHIEF week before last
The epistle will be read with general in
terest and the writer's logical opinions as
to the reconstruction policy that ought te
have been pursued by the Republican party
in the South will meet with the hearty con-
currence of many thoughtful minds:
New iberia, March 10, 1884.
Hon. A. J. Dumont, President of the State
Central Executive Committee of the Re-
publican Party in Louisiana:
Sir-In reading over the deliberations of
the State Republican convention assembled
in the city of New Orleans on the 7th inst,
| notice that [ have been selected as the
candidate for State Treasurer on the Re-
publican ticket. Thanking, through you,
those gentlemen who have been SO con-
siderate as to present my name and give
me their support, I feel scompelled to de-
cline q nomination entirely unexpected and
unsolicited.
III doing so l cannot, however, withhold
my appreciation of the principles enunci-
ated i'll the State Republican platform
antagonistic, as they are, to the free trade
doctrines of the Democratic party now
threatening to control the legislation of
the Congress of the United States.
In view of the ultimate triumph of that
wing of the Democratic party, it is to be
regretted that the National Republican
party, after the final termination of the
war. did not adopt a different reconstruc-
ton policy. a.
The question of slavery being irrevoca-
bly, settled 10y constitutional amendments
guaranteeing to that clAs impartial right
of citizenship, it becamee the duty of the
Republican party to enlist the intelligence
OF the South in the greafWork of reconstruc-
tion-the paramount obligation being to af-
ford to 5000, 600 of ignorant colored citi-
zens full and impartial advantages for the
education of their race. The intelligence of
the South was either disIoyal or loyal
| to the Government of the United
States. If disloyal, the States should
have continued under military rule; if
| loyal ignorance should have been made
subservient to intelligence i'll the reorgan-
ization of the different State Governments
i'll conformity to the new order of things.
| A contrary course has engendered deep
rooted prejudices, which have led to the de-
| feat of the Republican party, under what
ever leadership, i'll every Southern State.
A more liberal policy, am inclined to
think, would have secured results entirely
different.
The precipltate action of the Democratic
party in resisting the Inauguration of
President eonstitatlouaily-elac
that party controlled the legislative depart
ment-.he vain appeal to arms before any
| overt act, threatening or endangering the
peace and safety of the country had taken
place, and the final issue were little calcu-
lated to inspire confidence Or to restore the
Democratic party to public favor.
Under the circumstances, is it not ra-
tional to suppose that a more liberal recon-
struction policy would have enlisted the
full sympathes and secured the full CO.
operation of the entire Wing element of the
South and of the more conservative and
dlsaffected from among the Democrats?
Welded to the teachings of Clay, Web
ster and Fillmore, the intelligent element
of the Wing party, shareholders as they
were, looked upon the institution as an
evil, limited III its duration by the immu-
table laws of Providence and destined to
disappear at no distant day under the re-
quirements of civilization. To such the
movement inaugurated at Sumpter was the
signal for defeat-the doom of slavery.
The result Of the rash attempt at secession,
being as they had anticipated, found that
class fully prepared to accept the situation.
Outside of the policy of reconstruction
dictated by the making power-the
Republican party-upon the great national
issues of protection to home industries, the
liberal appropriation Of public monies for
works Of internal improvement, the Wing
party was the natural ally of the Republi-
can party. Had such an alliance been etfec-
ted, there would have been no ''Solid
South" no "Solid North;" the "bloody
shirt" and f'Negro party" banners, the
weapons of the knayes in politics, would
have been consigned to a common grave:
vital issues would have controlled party Or
CARNATIONS. The anomaly of Southern
Democrats with Republican principles, and
Northern Republicans with Democratic
principles, antagonistic in name only and
fighting side by side in support of meas
ures affecting the welfare of their fespec-
tive constituencies, would never have been
seen. The control of the legislative depart
ment of the government would not have
fallen into the hands of fanatical adheTents
to the defunct theories of Calhoun; the
great agricultural and manufacturing in
dustries of Louisiana, lately ushered into
existence and fostered by the protective
policy Of the Republican party, with mill
ions of capital invested, furnishing employ
ment to over a half million of operatives.
would not be threatened by unwise legisla-
ton with complete ruin and bankruptcy.
How is this TO be averted? Is the only
remedy in the organization of Demo-
cratic party upon RepubIca principles2
Respectfully, A. DUPERIER.
OF 1861 samples of wine examined at the
Paris Municipal Laboratory in one year,
more than half were found to be bad. while
2o2 were positively dangerous. OF 1887
samples of milk and cream, 542 proved to