New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-09-26
GUS NEW YORK LErrER.
Correspondence of the Republican,

meeting at Cooper Institute, the object of
which was to celebrate the anniversary of
the battle OF Antietam and give expression
to views bearing upon the issues of the
hour, consistent Herewith had for day or
two past been noticed in the Republican
papers. Speakers of some notoriety had
been named, and something of interest had
been looked for as the result. As early as
seven o'clock could be seen squads of
handsomely uniformed "beys" organizing
in almost all quarters of the city, and yet
no one was prepared for the magnificent
sight so soon to greet the eye. All were
looking for the procession advertised, and
it soon appeared in no meagre proportion,
and was no ''side show" the noisy predic-
tons of the unterrifed to the contrary not
withstanding. Fully eight thousand veter-
ms were in line, each bearing lighted
torch, and the expression of their counten-
ances and the irmness Of their tread showed
that theirs was no play but real work.
Aud within the heart Of very many in this
column welled up something akin to the
feeling and patriotic enthusiasm expert
enced by them few years since when their
marching contemplated something little
less peaceful but the object much the same,
viz: the salvation of our glorious country.
Their faith is equally as strong and their
courage just as great now as then,
Each detachment was preceded by a
band of music discoursing national airs,
and as far as the eye could reach could be
seen this TO all appearaRce) endless line of
stalwart men intent upon showing to the
citizens OF New York that they were in
sober, real earnest and that their marching
was ia the direction Of victory. Along
their line of march the windows of resi-
dences were filled with the fair ones, ap-
plaudiug them and giving them kind words
full of good cheer. Multitudes not in the
procession accompanied them, filled to
Overlooking with enthusiasm of the right
stamp, and clearly showing that the sym
pathies of thousands upon thousands were
with them and ready to render substantial
aid when opportunity offered. The column
was joined by delegations from Brooklyn,
Jersey City, HOboken and Newark when
their steps were directed toward Cooper
Institute, where dense masses of people
had, at an early hour, assembled to receive
them and to listen to the patriotic and
telling speeches oil The gallant Dan Sickles,
Generals Fitzpatrick, Pleasanton and many
others, who held the crowd by the hour
dealing with the enemy as was their wont
in days agone.
Speeches were made from several stands
in the open air, as not one-tenth of those
present ceuld get admittaRce to the build
ing. The Seymourites stood amazed, gazing
on the array of soldiers, ard in true Demo-
cratic style, threw an occasional stone or
fired an occasional shot from some hiding
pace-a mode OF warf ire with which our
boys were SO well acquainted that it dis
turhed them not in the least, knowing, as
they do, the fate OF the party opposing their
onward march will be the same as when
they met in contesting their advance on
the bloody fields of many hsrd-fought bat
ties. General Fitzpatrick delivered speech
that will not be soon forg0tten by those
who heard it. He warned the people of
the danger of placing the affairs of gov
eminent in the hands of those who for four
long and weary years did their utmost to
destroy it. He reviewed the course of the
leaders of the Democratic party of to-day,
and portrayed their rottenness in words
and arguments scathing and unanswerable,
and if appearances indicate anything, in-
dorsed by acres OF thinking men, who
eagerly listened. He told the people he
had led these noble "boys in blue"
through many fights, and they had always
done their duty ia time OF danger and peril,
but that he had never led them in a contest
more vitality important to the interests of
the country than the one in which they
were now engaged, nor in one in which
they were more certain of lasting victory.
General Siekles in his inimitable style
instituted comparison between the scar
pet-baggers" who infested our Northern
cities during the war and those now enjoy
ing some notoriety in the South. The for
mer he said, came here during the war
mysteriously, with their black bags con-
tanning very small amount of clean linen
and very large amount OF eombustible
material, with which they undertook te fire
our hotels and burn our cilies. But our
carpet baggers carry intelligence, civiliza-
ton and capital wherever they go, and
they are not to be barred out or excluded
from the South by rebel dictation. He asks
the question: elias it come to this, that in
three years after the close of the war 1t is
a question to be decided by the ballot and
perhaps enforced by the bayonet whether
or no Northern man has the right to live
in. Southern State?" These topics are
forcing themselves upon the attention of
the people and are not without their effect.
The recent increased majoIities in Vermont
and Maine are encouraging indications of
the success Of the Republican ticket in No
vember-m encouraging when we know
the Democrats placed their strongest men
and ablest orators in those States, when they
labored assiduously for months previous to
the election. Their speakers numbered
Into the canvass all sorts of issues, their
platform being SO conveniently constructed
as TO make anything admissible. Pendle-
ton told the people that the utterance of
twenty-five hundred millions of greenbacks
to retire the national currency and five
twenty bonds would raise the price of their
wheat and potatoes, and soon enrich them
ALI thinking men in those and all other
States know this would bring disaster and
ruin upon every branch of industry in the
land and place out Of sight the return to
specie payment, now SO nearly within our
reach. These and other topics are presented.
but let me say to the colored mau Of the
South the strongest argument used, and the
real eight made upon the Republican
party, is that they are endeavoring to
elevate his position as 9 mag and
a citizen. They charge the Republicans
with advocating negro equality in break
ing down the line of distinction Con account
OF color and condition) that so long ex-
listed. This, l say, is the real issue. They
| ttheD emecratsl fear the onward march of the
recently emancipsted slave. This is no lic-
sion, but actual truth. Then how can Z
ceiored resident ofa Southern State identity