The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-02-04
TIE WORRIES FAIR AND THE
FORCE BILL.

The movement started in Alabama to
refuse an appropriation to the Chicago
Exposition in the event of the force bill
passing is not limited to the South, hut
has spread to other sections of the Union.
The Indiana House, by an oyerWhelm-
ing majority, has voted not to give a cent.
to the Exposition if the bill becomes a
law. New York has decided on the same
course, and it is probable that the other
Northern States in which the Democrats
are in a majority in the Legislature will
follow their example. As for the South,
it is unanimous on this point; and not
only will it withhold its appropriations,
but it will refuse to take any part in a
National Exposition as long as it is treat,
cd as an alien portion of the Union. to
be ill-treated and legislatea against
The action thus taken viii be warmly
approved and supported by the people.
The question is not q political, but a ma
tional one; and the broadcast spirit of pa
tfiotism requires that the plans of the
sectioMallsts should be defeated by any
means possible. Moreover, as has been
frequently shown, the South will be in
no condition to make displays at the fair
if this infamous bill passes, for it will be
too much disturbed to do so, and it will
secure no advantages Ill the way of iu,mi-
grafton from any exhibit it may make.
The Illinois Senators who vote for this
bill, and thus declare war against the
South, can scarcely expect it to help an
enterprise of which their State will be the
chief beneficiary.
Congressman Butterworth, who is
at the head of the Exposition, expresses
the hope that politics will not be allowed
to enter the matter and to defeat the sue
cess of the fair. The objection raised by
the South and its refusal to appropriate
money for State exhibits is not political
or based on politics. This section can
not accept an invitation to the EXPOSE
/ ton, as Il national one, when the rest CT
| the country declares war against it and
| its industries and prosperity. Now that
the force bill seems almost certain of de-
| feat it will not be necessary to adopt
these severe methods. The Sontheen
States aie anxious to be represented ut
Chicago, and appreciate the fact that
they will be benefited by displays there,
and if the present peace, progress and
prosperity they are enjoying continues
uninterrupted by force bills aud other
similar hostile measures we axe satisfied
that they will all make liberal provisions
for State exhibits and will be well repre-
sented at the fair.
Senator Cullom was disposed to consid-
er the action Of She Southern legislatures
| in this matter as a bluff. Had he sue
cee,iel i'll his purpose of passing tho force
bill he would have learned to tue contra
~ when it was too late TO correct his
mistake. The South is not in tho habit
OF blutiing. In face of the present public
sentiment no Southern legislature would
have thought Of making an app.opria-
tien for the Exposition With the force
bill threatening this section. Uuleas
/ provision is made fer exhibits now it
viii come too late, for the legislatures do
not meet again until two years hence.
The defeat of the force bill, therefore,
will 30 4 long way toward assuring the
success Of tie Chicago Espusitjoa. Had
the large na,nber of legislatures now i'll
session adjourned without making an ap-
proprsationsand Indeed expressed an I'M
friendly feeling for The Exposition, it
would have been . well nigh fatal blow.
II Tines Democrat.