St. Landry democrat., 1891-05-02
The Conflict of the SectIona

The government of the United States
mas almost from the beginning been domi-
mated by sectional influences, Whenever
particular psss of the county had q large
ana important Interest to protect or foster,
Inc people of that section commenced and
maintained as long as pos ible struggle
10 have their interest placed under the d.
rect protection of the constitution.
While negro slavery subssted in the
Southern States the Southern people never
relaxed for moment their efforts to have
slavery imbedded in the laws and vindi-
Gated and protected by governmental
power. When, finally, the people OF the
North and West combined against che
| peculiar institution OF the South, strug~
gle, commenced on the floor of congress,
| and finally transferred to the battlefield,
went ON until the South succumbed, its
power was broken, the slaves were freed
and made citizens, and the old Southern
influence eliminated from public affairs.
But no sooner was the domination of The
Northern population established than con-
ficts of interest between the East ard the
West began to manifest themselves The
government was carried on and laws were
Asde for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the East
as against the West. Day after day and
year after year the burden fell harder on
the people of the West until they reached
q period of pecuniary depression which
caused the people to cry GU: from The
the midst of their distress and indignation.
No relief was to be obtained from or
through the machinery of government be-
cause the West could not control the gov-
eminent. There was no other resource
but to gain by any means possible this
needed control.
Obviously the only hope of doing so is
to unite the people of the West and the
South. This is the only method of relief.
No farmers movement will secure it. No
class revolution will accomplish anything.
There must be political union between
the West and the South on basis Of
pooled interests and the accomplishment
of mutual benefits. Fortunately this COM
munity of interest is strongly marked. The
Two sections are largely interdepe ndent.
They necessarily must find it important to
products TO large extent.
Moreover, the trade of the Northwest
gravitases to the Southeastward.
It follows the lines of the great rivers
whose waters run down to the Mexican
Iea.
II the Northwest wants to get access to
countries beyond the sea, the obvious
cute is through Southern ports. Then
his alliance between the West and the
south is pregnant with the promise of
uture benefits. 1t is she only hope for
ermanent relief Let the West and
be South stand together in congress for
be protection and maintenance Of their
,terests. 1t is the only hope, the only
ossible remedy. But it means battle.
means fight with the money power of
10 East. 1t is hopeless to seek 10 recon-
le all the varied Industrial agricultural
I'd commercial Interests of the country.
o craftsmanship can accomplish it. What
IS always obtained in the pas, will go en-
the future. The most powerful OF the
ctions will dom nate the government
e weaker must submit The South has
81 ed under the yoke. The West is now
y ing out under, the burdens of bondage.
le day is soon to come when the East
1st deliver up the scepter of control and
ar its neck to the yoke. -Pscayuns.