New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-06-17
WHAT GAN THBY MAKE BY Ifq

hope to manifest by the nomination Vi
Chief Justice Chase at Tammany Hail Oh
the Fourth of July, the organs OF the party
will for the first time so fervently express
their belief in the doctrine of the Deela-
ration of Independence that unwise people
may come to regard the conversion as
| genuine one. and arrive at the conclusion
that since both of the two great parties
are in harmony upon this vital principle 1t
will make but little difference to the coun-
try which of the two is successful. II the
straws which show how the wind is blow
ing are not wholly decisive straws, or if
the wind before the Fourth of July does not
veer around and blow steadily from another
quarter, it may be set down as certain that
the Tammany Hail convention will pro-
claim its willingness to consider universal
manhood suffrage in all the Southern
States fixed and settled fact, and
to declare, also, its adherence Of
reputation, and its determination
to preserve good faith with the national
creditors. In other words, it is possible
that the Democratic party is about to adopt
the principles of the Republican party
as set forth in the Chicago platform, with
but very slight notifications; and to select
as its candidate man who has always been
a Republican, and who was competitor
against General Grant for the Republican
nomination until few months ago. 1t
NAV be that the Democracy will not do
these things, but it is well worth while to
consider what influence such course of
action may have upon the people.
In the first place it will be well to re-
member that the delegates to the New
York convention were all elected before
the new light which now irradiates their
souls had dawned upon the party. The
constituents of these delegates have in
structed them to vote for Pendleton, for
Seymour, for Mcclellan, for Hancock, but
none of them are instructed to vote for
Chase or to frame platform 10 favor OF
universal suffrage. If they do either they
will disobey their formal instructions; and
their action can only be taken as the ex-
preston of the sentiments Of the party
upon the hypothesis that their followers
have such confidence in their wisdom that
they will accept whatever creed and can
didate the convention may offer to them.
The discipline of the Democratic party is
yet firm, and the majority of its ad-
herents will hurrah for Chase and equal
rights as loudly as they would for
Pendleton and white mans government
But there is class Of independent and re-
aecting men in the Democratic party who
will desire to look little more closely into
the matter; and there is also another class
Of men who at this time are members of
neither party, and who are in doubt as to
which OF the two they shall give their sup
port.
Let these men remember that the change
OF front on the part of che Democratic
party is either the evidence of sincere con-
version, or else is a mere hypoeritical pre-
tense assumed only as mask to hide its
real purpose, and let them look at the mat
ter from both of these points Of view.
If it be a sincere conversion what does
it promise The party says: "What the
Republicans will do we will do also. No
longer will we oppose universal suffrage
no longer seek to make this white mans
government; no longer devise means for
placing the loyal men of the South under
Ike heels of the traitors who were once and
still are our allies. We accept the situa-
ton; recognize every man as voter; turn
our back upon the past, and devote our
selves to the new questions that are about
to arise.D If all this be true it suggests
| this thought: if the Democrats propose to
do what the Republicans also propose why
not allow the Republicans to do it? 1t is
all very well to say that universal suffrage
is a fzedi fact. SS0iti is. But Che machinery
wherewith it is to be made effective is as yet
new and imperfect, and over its operations
should be careful watch and faithful
and experienced guide. The work is not
yet quite done the Republican party has
accomplished what has been achieved
against the opposition of the Democrats.
II will be only prudent to allow the Re
publicans to complete the work instead Of
handing It over to the Democrats for COM
pletion. They are raw hands at such bust
ness, and with the best Intentions in the
world they might spoil it. The man who
has built steam engine is better and a
safer nan to run it than another who has
done his utmost to prevent the engine from
being built at all; who has declared It could
not be built, that the materials used in its
construction are rotten, and that its prin.
oipls is faulty. Thus, even on the sup
position that tAe Democrats are perfectly
honest In their newborn zeal for equal
rights and universal outrage it will be
safer and better to allow the party which
has always been faithful TO these principles
to remain IN power.
Looked at from the other stand point, whai
Is the thought that strikes the mind Of the
Observer II Tie conversion is only pre-
tended one--h beneath the new coat Q
sleeps clothing the old wolf of pro
slavery Democracy is still hidden, wha
viii be the answer Of honest men wheI
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