The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-03-11

MY FELLow-CrrIzESs.-In accordance with
the mandate of the people of my country | am
about to dedicate myself to their service under
the sanction Of a solemn oath. Deeply moved
by the expression Of confidence and personal
attachment which has called me to this service.
] am sure my gratitude can make no better re-
turn than the pledge | now give Before God and
these witnesses of unreserved and complete
devotion to the interests ana welfare Of those
who have honored me.
/ deem it fitting on this occasion. while indi-
eating the opinions ] hold concerning public
questions Of present importance. to also Briefly
refer to the existence OF certain conditions and
tendencies among our people which seem to
menace Inc integrity and usefulness of their
government.
Wh1le every American citizen must coatem-
plate with the utmost pride and enthusiasm
the growth and expansion Of our country. the
sufficlency Of our institutions to stand against
the rudesf shocks of violence. the wonderful
thrift and enterprise of our people. and the
demonstrated superiority Of our free govern
E1ent, 1t behooves Us TO constantly watch for
every symptom of iESidious intirmity that
threatens our national yigor.
The strong man who. in the confidence of
sturdy health. courts.the sternest activities of
life and %rejoices in the hardihood of constant
labor. may still have lurking near his vitals
the unheeded disease that dooms him to sud
den collapse. 1t can not be doubted that our
stupendous achievements as a people and our
country S robust strength have given rise to a
heedlessneSS of those laws governing our ma
tional health. which we can no more evade than
human life can escape the laws of God and ma
ture.
Manifestly nothing is more vital to our SUI
premaey as a nation and to the beneficient pur-
poses OF our government than a sound and
stable currency. Its exposure to degradation
should at once arouse to activity the most en-
ightened craftsmanship: and the danger of
depreciation in the purchasing pc wer of the
wages paid to toll should furnish the strongest
incentive to prompt and conservative caution.
In dealing with our present embarrassing
situation. as related to this subject. We will be
wise If we temper our confidence and faith in
our national strength and resources with
the frank concession that even these
VIII not permit us to defy with
impunity the memorable laws of finance and
trade. At the same time. in our efforts to ad-
Just the differences of opinion we should be free
should be unmoved by alluring phrases and un-
vexed by selfish interests. I am confident that
such an approach to the subject will result in
prudent and effective remedial legislation. In
the meantime. SO far as the executive branch of
the government is concerned. none of the powers
with which it is invested will be withheld when
their exercise is deemed necessary to maintain
our national credit or avert financial disaster.
Closely related to the exaggerated confidence
IN our country greatness which tends to a dis
regard Of the rules of national safety, another
danger cOnfrOntS us. not less serious. refer
to the prevalence of a popular disposition to
expect from the operation of the government
special and direct individual advantages. The
verdict Of our voters. which condemned the in
justice OF maintaining protection for protec-
tons sake, %enjoins upon the peoples servants
the duty OF exposing and DESTROYING
the brood Of kindred evils which
are the unwholesome progeny of paternalism.
rms IS the bane OF republican institutions and
the constant peril of our government by the
people. 1t degrades to the purposes of willy
craft the plan to rule our fathers established
and bequeathed to US as an object of our love
ana Veneratlon. 1t perverts the sentiment of
our countrymen and tempts them to a pitiful
calculation OF the sordid gain to be derived
from their governments maintenance. 1t I'M
dermines the self-reliance of our people and
substitutes in its place dependence upon gov
ernmental favoritism. 1t stiles the spirit Of
true Americanism and stupefies every en-
nobllng trait of American citizenship.
The lessons of paternalism ought to be I'M
learned, and the better lesson taught that while
they periodically and cheerfully support their
government. its support does not include the
support OF the people. The acceptance of this
principle leads to a refusal of bounties which
burden the labor and thrift of a portion of our
citizens to aid ill-advised or languish-
Ing enterprises in which they have no
concern. It leads also to a challenge
of wild and reckless pension expen-
diture, which overleaps the bounds OF crate
full recognition Of patriotic service and prosti- |
tutes TO vicious uses the peoples prompt and
generous impulse to aid those disabled in their
country's defense.
Every thoughtful man must realize the i'm
portance OF checking at its beginning any ten |
dency in public or private station. to regard
frugalty and economy as virtues which we NAV
safely outgrow. The liberation OF this idea re- |
suits IN the waste of the peoples money by
thelr CHOSEN servants. and encourages prodigal- |
lty ana extravaganza in the home life OF our !
countrymen.
.Cnoer our scheme OF government the waste
OF public money is a crime against the citizen. |
ana the contempt of our people for economy |
and frugality in their personal affairs deplora-
ply saps the strength and sturdiness of our ma
tional character.
It is a plain dictate OF honesty and good gov
eminent that public expenditure should be
limited by public necessity, and that this should
De measured by the rules of strict economy: |
and 1t is equally clear that ~frugality among the
people Is the best guaranty Of a contented and
strong support Of free institutions.
One mode Of the misrepresentation of public
FUNDS Is avoided when appointments to office.
instead OF being the rewards of partisan activ-
!ty, are awarded to those whose efficiency prom
Uses a falr return of work for the compensation
pald to them. To secure the fitness and com
potency OF appoentees to office. and to remove
from political action the dernoralizing madness
ior spolis, c1v1l-service reform has found a place
IN our pubic policy and laws. The benefits al
ready gained through this instrumentality and
the further usefulness ii promises. entitle it to
the hearty supp.)l, and encouragement Of all
who desire to see our public service we'll ner-
formed, or who hope for the elevation of po-
ntlcal sentiment and the publication Of poiit-
1cal methods.
The existence of immense aggregations of
kindred enterprises and combinations of bust
ness interests formed for the pur-
pqSe of limiting production and fixing
ialr held which ought to be open to every
independent activity. Legitimate strife in
forced concession to the demands OF combina-
ions that have the power to destroy: nor
should the people to be served lose the benefit
OF cheapness which usually results from whole
some competition. These aggregations
and combinations constitute conspira-
cies against the interests of the PEG
ple, and in all their phases they
are unnatural and opposed to our American
sense OF fairness. To the extent that thew can
&c reached and restrained by federal power.
the general government should relieve our citf-
ems from their interference and exactions.
Loyalty to the principles upon which our
eoEernment rests positively demands that
me equality before the law which it
guarantees to every citizen should be
justly ana In good faith conceded