The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-08-02
,tion as wisdom and sound Judgment may


industry and the Mississippi river problem,
which stands like a mountain in the path
of her progress. unless satisfactorily solved.
Thus it behooves US to be wise, and if possi-
BILE without violating principle, to place
ourselves and State in the best position to
accomplish the end desired.
That Mr.. Blaine will be elected for the
next President of these States does not ad-
NIT of doubt in my mind, and if this
should be SO, We certainly would have a
"friend at court " if Louisiana should cast
her vote for him.
The Issues between the parties are re-
duced to very few, and the course pro-
posed by the Republicans appears to me
more advantageous to the whole country
than that proposed by the Democrats; and
as there is noting sacred attached to the
,,ume of either party, we should look to our
interests and act with the party that appears
most likely to further and aid the develop
ment of those material matters that bring
prosperity to country.
The "free trade'' tendencies of the
Democratic party, if carried to accomplish
ment, would in my opinion bring about
the most disastrous results. The South is
now young in her manufacturing interest,
and needs fostering care that has been such
a potent factor in building up this grand
industry of the North to its present magai-
tude. Bring out free trade of its approx
imation and you at once cause congestion
and stagnation to seize this young and
struggling industry at the South. Free
trade would bring in its train increased
importations, which would soon exceed the
exports, and thus continually drain this
country of its gold and eventually result in
collapse and poverty. Deplete the treasury
of the surplus so much complained of, and
you at once strike the death blow to the
power of the Government 20 make appro-
priations necessary to relieve this great river
of its shoals and caves, and to reclaim this
alluvial basin from utter desolation.
Reduce the revenues very materially and
apply to a Democratic administration for
| aid in these matters and you would be in
formed that there is only money enough In
the treasury to meet the most economical
administration of affairs, and that the
Democratic party is, inprinciple, opposed to
internal improvements by the General
Government and always has been.
To fully develop the resources of this
country, capital almost without limit is re-
quired, and We must invite it most cordial
| ly or it will not come. Capital is naturally
timid and necessarily shrinks from disor-
| ganized and lawless cesnmunifias, where
CuuEt-uOuseo tsSo ny IuObs against
the administration of justice, thus repelling
instead of inviting the capital so much re-
quired. Give confidence to capital and it
will seek investment in your midst. pro-
noting prosperity to all.
Our elections in this State are notoriously
carried by the most open and shameless
frauds-reqnired by the "machine" that
now governs affairs of the State. This
moral corruption is calculated to and will
in time undermine and utterly destroy Or
ganized government, and reflect dishonor
upon the very name of liberty. The sooner
the people understand this and rise up and
assert their manhood, lay hold of this
moral leprosy and utterly destroy and erad-
icate it from their political system, the bet
ter for their vital interest. Do this, and
our grand old commonwealth will at once
assume her proper place in the galaxy Of
States, and will soon regain that confidence
| in the public mind that is now held in abey-
ance on account of the acts of few men,
who are enemies to good order, just and
fair government.
Free and fair elections are now neces-
sity in this State, and must become an
established fact in order to restore conf
dence to the capital of the world before it
will beck investment here. Do this and
prosperity is assured-fail to do it and we
may expect like Prometheus to be chained
to rock-wave our little "red fag" and
sing pmans to few men who rule State
affairs for personal ends.
For one am tired of this. A change of
air will do us good. We have been knock
| ing at the "back door" long enough.
Suppose we march up to, and enter the
front door and take our seat at the council
board. The time has arrived. The fruit
is ripe-and we have only to reach forth
and pluck it. Have We the nerve to do its
Time will tell. may be wrong in my
-course-it is human to err; but if am in
error, it is an error of the head, and moi
of the heart. All good citizens can and
will appreciate the fact that man may
change bis views with an honest purpose
at heart.
In my case, however, the change is more
apparent than real, for in times gone by,
was a Wing in politics, and believed then
as do now, in protective tariff and inter
nal improvements by the general govern
ment. If I had to choose between th'
"slogan" of tariff for revenue only" and
"tariff for protection only" I would choose
the latter. Protection by tariff and inter
nal improvement are 80 intimately con
nected that it seems to me inconsistent tt
advocate the one and not the other.
Il I do not wish to be understood as op
posed to an adjustment of the tariff.
favor that when necessary, but keeping il
view all the time all the protection that cal
fairly be given. have since the war acte'
earnestly with the Democratic party, fol
the reason that regarded it as politica
necessity. That pressure being removed,
| feel free to act as my best judgment die
, tates. can therefore afford to let the sa.
memories of the past be buried and blot