New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-10-23
TIE SPIRIT oP ASSASSINATION.

-r7 TIE SPIRIT OF ASSkSSINATlOH'E
The recent murder of Sheriff Pope and
Judge Chase by squad of citizens In 81.
Mary parish was not an act oil private
vengeance, but an expression OF public
opinien; the ripe fruit of the bloody in
structions so constantly issued by the
Southern press and leaders; the practical
workings of the principles established in
the address of the Democratic Executive
Committee. ''Carpet-baggers must not
be permitted to obtain foot
hold in this State" eff, un-
fortunately they have succeeded in do
ing so, measures must be taken to get rid
of them" To the untutored mind, reused
to high state of langry excitement, the
shortest surest, easiest way of getting rid
of man is to kill HIM; and accordingly
gangs of hot-blooded Southern Democrats,
armed and equipped for homicide, are to
be found all over this Southern country,
ready al all times to execute the decree OF
outlawry which their leaders have issued
against negroes and carpet-baggers. These
leaders (by which we especially mean
the press have done their work
better than they knew. They have
SO infamed the public mind that it
has passed out of their control. The very
air is quivering with sense of danger.
Every unexpected sound isinterpreted into
the incipient mutterings Of an outbreak.
Men and even women go armed; each par
ty fears tie o.her, and o Is itself in an at
titude OF defense. There is a general feel
ing that this state Of affairs can not last
long; that another crisis is at hand, and
that unless something efectual is done to
avert the danger, there are bloodier
DAYS in store for New Orleans than any she
has yet seen. Even the blind and naughty
rebel press of this city seem to feel that
they have gone too far. In playing upon
the prejudices Of the multitude they have
reused power which they can not lay.
Like the foolish philosopher who discoV-
cred the principle of life and made crea-
ture like unto man, but devoid of the
moral principles, they have set loose
monster and can not now stay its ravages
And what can they plead in ex-
tenuation of their guilt, when arraigned
before the bar of public opinion?
Simply this, that these "carpet-baggers and
their negro adherents," in other words the
Republican party of the State (for they
disdain to count the old citizens who are
Republicans), have possession of portion
Of official power. This is all, positively
all, that can be truthfully charged against
the rank and file of the Republican party
of this State. And for this, for the exer-
else of an unquestionable privilege of citi-
zenship, they are doomed by the thuggish
spirit Of Southern democracy to the out
RACES Of mob-Violence and the dagger of
the assassin.
For it is not to be questioned that in
nearl every instance of cohhict between
the two parties in our midst which has oc-
CURED within the last two years, the ex-
rebels have been the aggressors. Nor is it
less certain 1--WE regret to say) that, though
these outrages have been commit ed by
people Of the rougher sort, no protest has
been made by those who ought to and
might exercise better influence. The
brave though misguided soldiers, whose
in the mistaken cause so dear to
the hearts of this people, have won claim
OF their consideration; why stand they
silently by and see murder and violence
stalk through the land, when one
word from them would send the assassin
skulking to his den? Are they rot in q
responsible for wrongs which they
could SO easily prevent? Are they indiffer-
snt to these things, or do they indeed desire
10 see the cause which was lost in spite of
heir bravery take up arms anew under the
,owardly auspices Of assassination? If it
3 painful to the prejudices of the defeated
party to see the negro enjoying freedom
md the franchise, and by his political ofili-
ltion with white immigrants from the North
representing the party which gave him
hose advantages, securing Rreponder-
lting influence in public affairs, 1t should
De remembered that these are the
natural results Of the war, and that what
las been lost by the bayonet can not be
egained by the bowie-knife. So far from
lettering their condition by these rufianly
actics, the "long-sufering' people of the
outh las they hypocritieally call them
elves) will find that they will only make
latters worse. Northern emigrants will
OF be thus deferred from the exercise of
,eir political rights, and the time may
ome when even the patient negro will
1use himself to verify the unfouuded ac-
nsadons by which his oppressors seek to
lstify their blood-thirsty course.
THE GENERAL COMMANDING.
The last few days has witnessed the ar
val in this city from the country parishes