The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-04-12
COL. sTEvENsoh.s LETTER.
He Accepts the Nomination Of the Con
servatiye Republic,ssis Tor Governor.

To the Voters of the State d louisiana.
l have accepted the noAaiDation of tn,
Conservative Republicans of this State fo
Governor, and at the same time intimatet
that would address a letter declarin.
more. explicitly the objects I'sought to ait
by my acceptance. Except in their bear:
ing Oh cur State there Is 10 need to SPEAK
at length in relation to National matters
Our home affairs and the dangers with
which we are threatened should be para
mount at this time. The party which has
been in power the last seven years has had
an abundant opportunity to demonstrate
its policy and the effects OF its rule upon
our State. It is divided into hostile fac
tons or ring combinations, nearly equal,
having public plumber and the personal
advancement of their chiefs for chief OBJ
ject, so that the true interests of the State
are dwarfed and held secondary to mer-
cenary aims and party rule. The revision
of the tariff, now pending in Congress,
taken in connection with the Mexican re-
ciprocity treaty just passed, claims the
anxious attention of our citizens, and it is
time to call a halt, and sseif we are not be-
ing led to ruin; to lay by party prejudices,
and consider whether our representatives
and rulers have not been playing into the
hands of the enemies of the vital interests
of our State. -
Our State is peculiarly situated. About
one-half of it is adapted to the cultivation
of sugar and rice, and not to anything else
of sufficient importance 10 replace them.
The capital employed in Them is threatened
| with almost total loss, md thousands of
persons with loss of homes aud employ
ment.
With regard to North Louisiana she can
and ought to bear no more than her just
share of the public burdens. The State
cannot be divided in interest The pros
perity of the whole depends upon all its
parts, especially those OF such magnitude as
are affected by the present state of affairs.
The ruin of one part Is tEe ruin of another.
What can remedy ttlese things if the
weak and inefficient ieyee system of our
State be continued, and i policy of anti
protection and anti-loca mid for public
works on the part Of tho general govern
ment prevails with tue Concurrence of our
pretended Representatives?
Under the rule of the Democratic party
the educational system and school interests
generally have been neglected, their fnan-
cial support gradually reduced or taken
away. The compensation of teachers and
their number have leen reduced. The pub
lie schools are closed during a large portion
of the year in the country.
The vital interests OF the State are thus
committed to oas parfs and asselfsh fac
ton of that party, and it is expected to
stide opposition by denunciations and al
lusions to issues long past and never more
to be of any practical importance to our
people. TO allow the State of Louisiana
further to, foster this one party policy,
promises but ruin and desolation. We
must look to some organization for help.
The Republican party stands ready to give
our products the protection we need and
malntain what We have; its policy favors
river improvements, the most liberal aid to
levees, and even to- our school funds from
the National treasury. There is NO faint of
free trade, anti-public improvements, or
anti-free schools upon its banner. It has
no narrow, contracted policy, but promises
to all an equal share of the national pros
perity. Shall we lie supinely on our backs
and not accept it? Shall we continue to
follow the politicians who have allied US
presulning party feelings would make US
blind-with the enemies of our State and
its interests Shall they cast sand in our
eyes by reviying to our view the rancors
and discords of the past, when the good
men of all sections are casting them off
and looking serenely to national future
full of hope and prosperity. in which
Louisiana is entitled to its full share, aud
has nothing to do but join hands with the
friends of progress, protection, education
and improvements
Louisiana wants protection to all her in
ouoIAAC5s ~ lIA cSAASuAtNluAs Lu6GLLtulCa1
and laboring classes.
Free trade means ruin to sugar and rice.
Free trade means leyeling of the wages
of the working man to the level of the over
worked, half-paid and half-fed competition
in like industries in Europe. Louisiana
not only wants protection as stated, but she
wants to see carried out a river policy that
will give security against devastating
ana's whole interest lies with the Repub-
lican party. 1t is the party of progress, the |
party of action. Local prejudices should |
not longer warp the sober judgement of our |
people. Issues that engendereds race ami
mosities ten years ago, have become SO
faint that they may be numbered with |
things of the past. They no longer play a |
part in politics, except as cheap capital to |
be usedby demagogues, to brighten weak
partisans into line.
In conclusion, fellow citizens, will say |
that at the coming election hope to hear
you speak in no unmistaken terms to the
ring and caucus combination in our State
that stands between the people and free
expression of the will of the majority, and !
let your voice be loud enough to reach to !
the halls of Congress, and our Representa- !
lives be told that Louisiana does not approve /
their course in rejecting reciprocal aid pro-
tecting her interest, and that she is not, by |
any means, ready to be delivered over to /
free trade principles.
Such are my views as an old citizen of /
Louisiana, with no earthly interest but in !