The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-08-19

the remaining southern States. Although
they will have, in truth, no constituents
they will have more power in the Senate
than majority of the people ofthis Union
living in nine of the great States. in vain
members Of the Republican party have pro.
tested against the policy that Led to this re.
suit.
| While the chiefs of the late rebellion
| have submitted to the result of the war,
and are now quietly engaged in useful pur-
suits for the support Of themselves and
their families. and are trying by the force
OF their example, to lead back the people
of the South to the order and industry not
only essential to their well being, but to
the greatness and prosperity of our COM
mon country, all see that those without
ability or influence have been thrown, by
the agitation of civil convulsion, into POI
sitions of honor and profit, aud are striv-
ing to keep alive the passions to which
they owe their elevation.
And they DANGEROUSLY insist that thew
are the only friends of our Union. Proof
of that can only have sure foundation in
fraternal regard, aud common desire to
promote the peace, the order and the hap
piness of all parties of our land.
Events in Congress since the adjourn
ment of the convention have vastly in-
creased the Importance of political victo-
ry by those who are seeking to bring back
economy, simplicity and justice in the adj
ministration of our national affairs
Many Republicans have heretofore chung
to their party who have regretted the ex-
tremes of violence to which it has run.
They have cherished faith that while
the aetion of their political friends has
been mistaken, their motives have been
good. They must now see that the Re-
publican party is in that condition that it
cannot carry out q peaceful policy. What
ever its motives may be, it is a misfortune,
not only to the country, but to itself; for
its action is unchecked by any form OF OPP
position.
It has been the misfortune Of the Re-
publican party that the events Of the past
few years have given it so much power
that it has been able to shackle the execu-
tive, to trammel the judiciary, and carry
out the views of the most unwise and vio-
lent of its members. When this state of
things exists in any party, it has ever been
found that the judgment of its ablest lead
ers do not controE
There is hardly an able man who has
helped to build up the Republican organi-
cation, who has not, within the past three
years, warned it against its excesses-who
has not been borne down, and forced to
give up his convictions of what the inter
ests of the cauntry call for; or, if too pa
triotic to do this, who has not been driven
from the party.
If this has been the case heretofore
what will be its action with this new infu-
sion ofmen who, without decent respect
for the views of those who have just given
them their positions, begin their legislative
career with calls for arms, and demand that
the States shall be regarded as in condi-
ton of civil war, and a declaration that
they are ready and anxious to degrade the
President of the United States whenever
they can persuade our free congress to
bring forward new articles ofimpeachment?
The Republican party, as well as we,
are interested in putting some check to this
violence. 1t must be clear to every think
ing man that distribution of political
power tends to check the violence of party
action, and to assure the peace and good
order of the country, the election of a
Democratic executive, and majority of
Democratic members in the House of Rep
resentatives, would not give to that party
organization power to make sudden or vio-
lent changes, but would serve to check
those extreme measures which have been
deplored by the best men of both organiza-
lions.
The result would most certainly lead to
that peaceful restoration of the Union and
re-establishment of federal relationship
which the country desires. 1 am sure the,
best men of the Republican party deplore,
as deeply as l do, The spirit of violence
shown by those recently admitted to seats
in Congress from the Southern States-I
The condition of civil war which they con-
template must be abhorrent to every right
thinking man.
have no more personal wishes, which !
mislead my judgment in regard to the pend
ing election. No man who has weighed and
the duties of the office of Presi-
dent of the United States can fail to be I'M
pressed with the cares and tolls ofhim who
is to meet its demands. tits not menly to
ioat with popular currents withouta policy
Or a purpose. On the contrary. while our
Constitution gives just weight to the public
will, its distinguishing feature is thht it
seeks to protect the right of mihorities.--
Its greatest glory is, that it puts restraints
upon power; it gives force and form to
those maxims and principles ofcivl liberty
or which the martyrs Of freedom have
struggled through ages /; it declares the
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