New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-28

bilious demag0gues to work upon the pas
sions and prejudices ef the people, but all
are combined in support of IA form of gov
eminent which guarantees equal rights TO
all and denies privileges to all; where
private virtue is the only title to public re.
spect, and where fame and power are the
rewards of merit, and not the mere Incl
dents of birth. Not like the Olympic
Cameo, where a privileged few were al.
lowed to contend for the prizes, bat like the
great Exposition in France, open to the
competition of the world where wealth
loses its influence and rank its prestige;
where merit alone is recognized, and un.
riyaled genius bears away the palm.
Such is the American government of this
day, purified from the stains of slavery,
regenerated by the Republican party
worthy OF the admiration of the world and
the affections of its citizens.
Still our work is not is not complete, our
struggle not yet ended; our great constitu-
ton so perfect and sublime exists only in
theory. At the approaching election it will
be carried into practice. Every effort must
be made to insure victory, and guard
against defeat; every energy Of our bodies,
every power of our minds must be brought
into requisition to attain the great object
all have in view-the liberty, equality, and
fraternity of all classes Of mankind, the
permanent removal of all those causes of
discard which existed in our government,
that SO often shook it TO its centre, and
placed its very existence in jeopardy, and
the eternal settlement Of all our national
difficulties upon the imperishable basis of
justice, equality, and fraternity.
A victory, grand, complete, and decisive,
will establish our principles forever. A de.
feat would be fatal, and would be our Water
loo, when all the great fruits of hundred
victories would be lost in one reverse; the
march Of civilization retarded; the progress
OF freedom arrested, and the advancement
OF humanity thrown back for centuries.
oh never shall Albin destiny meet,
Be black with dishon0T so foul with retreat"
We are surrounded with open enemies
aud pretended friends; with rebels smart.
ing under defeat and burning for revenge,
and with Upionists mourning for their
property and detesting our party, while
the privileged classes, who have hitherto
ruled the state, nre striving for their lost
ascendency, and those who by a sort of
hereditary right have filed all positions of
honor and trust, cling with desperate tenaci-
ty to the offices they must soon relinquish for
ever whilst ambitious demagogues are
striving to combine and organize these
various elements of opposition to compass
the defeat of our party, the failure of the
congressional plan OF reconstruction, and
the retardation of the permanent settlement
Of those great questions which have SO long
NN@N
q blind security.
Let us not underrate the strength of our
enemies, but at once make such prepare.
tons for the battle as will insure victory
and render defeat impossible F.; and with
that flag whish waved VIGOROUSLY in two
great wars with England, which proudly
tioated over the halls Of the Montezumas,
and has been covered with imperishable
glory in the great struggle through which
we have just passed-With that flag floating
over us, let us deem defeat impossible
and victory certain, all looking for inspira-
ton to that glorious symbol, and enchanting
in one long, loud, and universal chorus that
will carry hope and encouragement to our
friends, and CONSERVATION and dismay to
our enemies everywhere
Star Of tho brave last hope and home,
BY angel hands to yalOr given;
Thy stars have lit the Welkn dome;
And all thy hues were born in heaven.
Wherever floats that 81 andaFd sheet
Where breathes the foe bat falls before us,
With freedoms soil beneath our feet,
And freedoms banner Coating Ger usl"