The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-05-06
Florida Under ahe DEM 1cracy re.
viewed.
TALLAHASSEE, May |, 1884

the inspiration ol beautiful May day in the
midst "i this most beautiful country.
For SO beautiful is il in the pronseness of its
flowers, its emerald green clothing the ever
rolling, undulaiing hills and valleys, as that one
without irreverence might easily fancy that the
Almighty Maker in the plentude of his love
had placed His artistic hand upon it, and then
simply lifted it, leaving its iaaltless impress.
Surely il is goodly land.
lu contemplating this your correspondent has
been led 10 mcnlal review OF the phenomenal
progress and advancement of the whole State.
True, there are spots here and there where The
people have not awakened to their privileges and
opportunities aud are therefore not in the moving
marching circle, but these will soon awake and
enter the race for success and prosperity, which
certainly seems 10 bt the common inheritance of
the Stale at large.
This happy State OF affairs has been brought
about entirely since Florida was rescued from
the violent hand OF the carpet Dagger and the
domination OF ignorance and spoation and the
inau yuati0n OF good and honest administration
of the government of the State under the life
and health giving auspices of the Democratic
party. Under its benign influence the State has
arisen from her humiliation and has SHAKEN off the
dust which blinded her sight, and girdng her
self Tor the achievement of mighty and glorious
things, looking heavenwurd in her trust she has
stretched away in the great race OF States and
the results are wonderful
Railroads have stretched themselves out in
every direction, from east to west, from north
to south. The waters Of the balmy Gulf have
been lost in the dreamy waters Of the great st.
Johns and those of the Atlantic on eastern
coast Other roads have sought paths between
these trunk lines (so to speak,, and are literally
winding their way around The base of magnifi-
cent hills, skirtng the shores of every lake and
tapping The delicious perfume of many grove
with which to rcgie the already delighted SEN
OF the traveller
Have you ever thought, Mr.. Editor, that much
of this great. enterprise has invoked Northern
capital, aye, Republican capital, and have you
thought of the fact, that not il dollar could be
reached until the Democratic party had taken
the rcins and had given character and tone to the
government, demonstrating the fact that these
men themselves had no confidence in their own
party il was and appeared in the Southern
States. Don't you remember sir how railroads
and numberless other corporations were almost
daily ground out by the cArpet-bagger and negro
Legislatures, and headed by such men as Osborn
and .Altbcrger, and how when they could not get
any one to trust them sufficiently to take hold
with them, last resort they started
wheel OF fortune down in jacksonville, and how
that even that queer old dame wouldn't second
them, and the railroad still stad on paper How
different now. In the last four years, under the
magnificent administration OF Governor Blox-
ham, hundreds OF miles oi road have been com
pletcd, while hundreds now are under contract,
while the iron horse with snews of steel and
Joints of brass is heard screaming and snoring
in every direction, all over the State Great
trains loaded with our market truck and early
vegetables and berries, are being pulled out and
hurled upon the markets and tables Of our iced
and frosted brethren OF The North and West,
fresh and crisp, while thousands of them are be-
inc rolled in and comfort all over the State
Yet the half is not told land has doubled and
trcbled in value, property OF all kinds has rapidly
advanced, and now this beautiful middle section
is beginning to feel The influence of the general
swell of the ever importing tide OF prosperity, and
form one vast cXpanse of thrifty staple farming
Here the real farmer from the West and Middle
States will seek to ply his enobling calling here
the earth will begin again to add largely TO the
common wealth Of the world in new products of
the soil, and it i, The opinion OF your correspond
cn that IA happier and nobcr section Of The coun
uv cannot be found
But this is not all yet. Under the fostering
care OF the Democratic party and its lifc-gvng
and vim imparting influence, the public schools
have multiplied and have improved in quality
and character as we'll as in number More lib
elal appropriations have been made by the Leg
slature than in the past III order that teachers
might be afforded the opportunity of improve
mcnt and taking hold of the suggestions and
thoughts Of more advanced educators schools ola
higher grade being established here there and
everywhere by Boards OF Public Instruction, by
churches and by benevolent Institutions. In this
beautiful city we have already inaugurated and
successfully operated University known as the
FLORIDA University, comprising Classical, Med
Cal, Law, Normal, Polytechnic and Preparatory
Departments under The superior Chanccllorshlp of
Dr. J. Kosr recently of Adrian University OF
Michigan, assisted by an able faculty of profcs
>ors and teachers
We arc building Al Lake City II splendid Col
lcge building for our Florida Agricultural Col
legc, which the authorities controlling have re-
solved to make first class College We are also
building al ST Augustine beautiful and substan.
ual group OF buildings AN institute IF learning
for the deaf mutes oi our State, both of which
will he open and ready for operation by October
1st proX. The latter of these is beautifully 10
Gated. From the cupola the grand old Atlantic
may be seen rs far rs the eye reach and its
brceZcs will constantly fan The silent inmates into
joy, health and thought. This observation the
only channel open to their minds, will be con
stantly attracted and spirit OF enquiry instituted
which will greatly aid their tutors in imparting
instruction.
Now, Mr.. Editor, isn't this il gratifying re-
sumo and is it not full of truth? Can it be posi-
bic that there is ii single voter whose brain has
single spark o.! intelligence or whose heart has
one throb of patriotism who would for one
menl contemplate IA change in the affairs of this
State? If there is let him turn and look upon
Florida her prosperity gone, and she under the
blight and mildew of false and dishonest govern
ment, and let him repent.
No, long live that party, call it by whatever
name You will, under whose auspices State and
communities have been made to prosper as has