The Louisiana populist., 1895-05-17
A ROYAL PROGRESS.
SOVEREIGN ARMSTRONG VISIT
ING HIS DOMINIONS.
In High and Low Places, of Slavery
and Freedom, and Makes Some sug-
gestions Regarding Same.

In the mind of every intelligent
thinker there are grave doubts con-
corning the theory of local self-gov-
ernment. Convinced that the degree
of Industrial happiness, depends upon
the sphere of industrial liberty. there
are still perplexing problems In the
realization Republican institutions;
for when the government OF the indi-
vidual is transferred from a king or
an oligarchy to himself, there comes
with it no guarantee that the individ-
ual will do nothing to abridge his
liberty, or bring upon himself the
very evils of which he was constantly
complaining under a monarchy or a
des potism.
The evils which have beset human
liberty in all ages and under every
form Of government have not arisen
wholly out of the imperfection of all
human institutions. The revolu-
tionists OF l776 did not rebel
against form OF government.
They cOntended at first for the cor
rection of the abuses of monarchy.
They asked for nothing more than
the constitutional prerogative of all
Englishmen Misrepresentation with tax
ation-and it was only after they had
seen that their petitions were in vain
that they set up government for
themselves. The revolution was the
opportunity of democracy. AS future
security against the return OF the
evils which they had just escaped. the
colonist founded a republic. The
causes which have agitated mankind
from the very beginning, may be
summed up in less than hail a dozen
words-to live life easily-and it is
absurd 20 imagine that men would
have ever progressed from monarchy
to democracy, from a mere desire to
make a good thing better. All his
tory shows that men suffer to ex-
tremes before they rebel, and at no
time was the fact more manifest than
that OF the struggle OF 1916.
The colonists were absolutely
forced from the tyranny of
one master to the crea-
tion of many masters, and
though the change at first was bles-
sing, still there was nothing in it to
prevent the repetition of former ex-
actions aud usurpations. Democracy
is a multiplication of masters, (all
government is mastery or nothing),
contains not within itself the essen
tials of freedom ami happiness.
Whether my masters be one or
dozen, is of no concern 20 me, the
servant, unless the latter are wise
and virtuous.
Russia has her Decembrists, and
Nihilists, and in spite of man
hood suffrage and the very dedication
OF the individual by Democracy. the
United States has been repeatedly
torn by riot, and laid waste by tho
the disciples of destruction. II whole
cities have not been given to flames.
it was because the opportunity and
not the desire was wanting. We
have seen the populace surge as tu-
in the streets OF
our great cities, as ever it
did in the commercial centers of the
British Isles. We have seen q war as
destructive of national greatness and
prosperity as any of the Plantagenets
and Stuarts. In fact, there is no
spectacle of blood and civil dissension
which We may not at any time be
called on to behold. The evil, how
ever. is not the evil OF lack OF dem
ocracy. We have it! 1t is a mere
quibble to say that the people do not
rule. Wrongs cannot be done except
with the consent of the majority, and
the sending of Federal troops into
Chicago was as Democratic as the
declaration Of independence! If it
was not Democratic; that is, If against
the viii OF the majority, why did the
majority submit? The reason is OBJ
vious. and its consideration suggests
a discussion OF municipal misgovern-
ment. which is the key to national
misgovernment
just at present the public is great
ly scandalized at the rotten
ness of municipal affairs. AL
dcrmen have been impeached
and from all sides are heard charges
of corruption, and what is said of
the causes OF this corruption? Our
system of municipal institutions has
been held up to us the sino qua non of
American freedom. De Pocqueville
said: Local assemblies OF citizens
constitute the strength of free nations.
institutions are to liberty
what primary schools are to science.
A nation may establish a system OF
free government, but without the
spirit of municipal institutions it can
not have the spirit of liberty? The
of government into coun-
ties, parishes and towns is set forth
rs forming the principle of American
liberty existing at this day." And
yet that which is SO essential to lib.
trty Is capable OF essential corruption.
That it may Or may not be corrupt
depends upon selection OF officers. and
Dur boastsd liberty after ell depends
upon nothing more substantial than |