The Louisiana populist., 1896-12-25
NATCHITOCKES, La, DECEMBER 25 1896

By time
"People.-'O. conquerors, pure of
blood! show us your genealogies! We
shall see il what in an individual IS
robbery and plunder, can be virtuous
in nation
And forthwith, voices were heard
in every quarter calling out the mobiles
by their names; and relating their ORR
gin and parentage; they told how the
grandfather, great-grandfather. or even
father. born traders and mechanics, af-
ter acquiring wealth in every way, had
purchased their nobility for money; 50
that but very few families were really
of the original stock. See said the
voices, see these purse-proud common
ers who deny their parents! see these
plebeian recruits VINO look upon them
selves as illustrious veterans and the
peals of laughter were heard.
And the civil governors said: These
people are mild, and naturally servile;
speak to them of the king and OF the
law. and they will return to duty.
People! the king wills, the sovereign
ordainsp
''People.-'The king can will moth
ing but the good of the people; the SOW
ereign can only ordain according TO
law
Civil governors.-'The law COM
mands you to be submissive.
"People.-'The law is the general
will; and we will new order OF things
Civil governors.-'You are then a
rebel people
"reople-'A nation cannot revolt;
tyrants only are rebels.
Civil governors.-'The king is on
our side: he commands you 20 submit.
"People.-'Kings are inseparaoie
from their nations. Our king cannot
be with you; you possess only his
phantom
And the military governors came
forward. The people are timorous,
said they; we must threaten them;
they will submit only to force. Sol
diers, chastise this insolent multitude
People Soldiers, you are Of our
blood, Will you strike your brothers,
your relatives? II the people perish
who will nourish the armv?'
And the soldiers. grounding their
arms. said to the chiefs: We are like
wise the people: show US the enemy:
Then the ecclesiastical governors
said: There is but one resource LETT.
The people are superstitious; we must
frighten them with the names of God
and religion. Our dear brethren, our
children! God has ordained us to gov
ern you
"People.-'Show us your credentials
from God!
"Priests.-'You must have faith; rea-
son leads astray.'
"People.-'Do you govern without
reason?
"Priests.-God commands peace, Re-
ligion prescribes obedience
''People-'Peace supposes justice
Obedience implies conviction Of duty.
Priests Suffering is the business
OF this world
"People.-'Show us the example.
"Priests.-'Would you live without
gods or kings?'
"People.-'We would live without OPP
pressors.
"Priests.-'You must have mediators,
intercesscrs.'
"People.-'Mediators with God and
with the king! courtiers and priests,
your services are too expensive; we
will henceforth manage our own az
fairs
And the little group said: We are
lost! the multitude are enlightened.
And the people answered: You
are safe; since we are enlightened we
will commit no violence; We only claim
our rights. We feel resentments, but
we will forget them. We were slaves,
we might command; but We only wish
to be free, and liberty is but justice. "
In a footpote the author says:
This dialogue between the people
and the indolent classes. is applicable
to every society; it contains the seeds
of all the political vices and disorders
that prevail, and which may be thus
defined: Men who do nothing and who
devour the substance Of others, and
men who arrogate to themselves partic-
ular rights and exclusive privileges OF
wealth and Incidence. The Advocate.