New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-04-05
THB DBMOORlTTO DILBMMA.

| hfuMeu 0DJbCE OF tA6 lSdutlo VI tAS 80
styled Democratic party in the approaching
elections. In carrying out this double Cd
ject all the speeches, newspaper articles
and public demonstrations Of every KING
will be devoted to the defeat Of the con
stitution, but the private efforts, the hard
eleotioneering work, and above all, the
votes, will be Influenced by the desire for
office. The one appeals to the pride and
prejudice of race SO strong in the Demo
cratic masses; the other to the interests,
pecuniary and otherwise, of every in
dividual among those masses who hungers
I for plaee-a tolerably large proportion
without doubt. That the qualification Of
both is inconsistent need hardly be pointed
out, for if the constitution is defeated then
so is the Democratic ticket; and ifthas ticket
is elected, its members must swallow their
pride, and with it the new constitution
" the black and tan, p " black crook, ," cor
morant," carpet-bag, =" infamous, DRY
AIDES street " constitution. Truly ridicu-
lous dilemma this in which the Democratic
party of this city have placed themselves.
They must vote either against their princi-
pies or against their interests. This iAcOR-
sistency, so contrary to the astuteness
usually displayed by the experienced lead
ers OF the unterrifed, springs doubtless from
the heterogeneous nature of the elements
which at present compose the Democratic
party of Louisiana. This party com.
prises firstly all the high-principled
and sincere mourners of the lost
cause;" secondly the hackneyed and unscru-
pulous leaders of the cid Know-NOthing
party, who espoused that cause in the day
of its pride, thinking its success certain;
and thirdly, large floating mass, mainly
citizens of foreign birth, goaded on by
ignorance of the principles OF Republican
ism and by blind dread of NEGRO equal
ity." Of these three classes the ruling one
is decidedly The first, which looks on the
ex Know-Nothing element with seorn and
distrust, in which the third class most
heartily shares. Nevertheless it is that
very ex-Know Nothing element which has
led the party int its present absurd posi-.
ten; for the real "lost cause" Democrats
had decided to abstain entirely from taking
any part in the approaching elections, ex-
cept to vote against the proposed CON
sitution. Such a plan, however,
was very distasteful to the probes
sioual ofice-seekers, whose chronic
hunger for place has been so long unsatis-
fed, To set before them such feast Of
state, parochial, and municipal Offices, and
then prohibit them to stretch forth their
hands and grasp, was test too strong for
such natures. And yet how to maintain
their hard-won places in the ranks Of the
Democracy, and at the same time crafty
their greed, was very nice question.
How they succeeded appears in their alb.
surd platform-"Against the constitution;
for candidates under it," That those
having a regard for consistency and dig
nifty of character will disregard this plat
form, and vote simply against the constitu-
ton and for no candidates, there is no
doubt; nor is there any on the other
hand, that the majority of the office
seekers, with their friends and adherents,
will vote for it, and for candidates. Frank |
lin says IAN empty sack can not stand
straight" There are great many empty
Jacks among the rank and file Of the De- |
nocracy, and if they think that their |
being filled depends on the adoptioa of the
lew constitution they will unquestionably |
Tote for that adoption.
Imagiae, Tor instance, one Of these old |
party hacks appealing to one Of tie rougher
iort who can control from sixty to a humid
ed votes" as follows; GOOD morning, |
Tom, glad to meet you, / am running for
pretty good office, and if elected will not
all to remember my friends. To be sure,
I we defeat that infamous radical eonsti-
ution everything will remain as at present,
md I shat hGUe no places 10 ys0s, tbdst IL
pits Of that we mnst vote like true Demo-
rats. You understand" with ally wink
which plainly says, "Vote for me and the
Take the important Office Of |
he shrievalty. The energetic editor
u one Of our Camp street cotem-
DOrAries who was recently nominated
~ The usurping Democratic central COM
nittes as a candidate for that Office, doubt |
eas, II rensminatsd, would feel personally |
,alled upon to vote against the constitn-
lien, though by so doing he would be
voting against his own interests bat could |
Il reasonably be expected that those who |
were depending on his election for places |
which they could never get unless under |
the new constitution, would follow his dis
interested example, or that be wonld be
wroth with them for not doing SO ? Then,
again, there is the mayoralty, with It's
great patronage Think Of the army Of |
candidates for the place Of policeman
Every man Of them knows precisely what
IAN be bought with eighty dollars d month
d greenbacks and so, doubtless, does the |
candidate for their votes.
Thus, to the selfish and interested IA 9Ae
Democratic ranks the motives to snpport
|Ae constitution Will be plata aad powerful;
aaise = the more conscientious and simple
minded only the dilemma will remain EN-.
bazfaasipg The absnrdity of voting 80
thea We naee q one desirable object de-
penda q iha tslsa Oh TIE other can not
70 them be eaplasaad sway BY the sugges-