The Opelousas courier., 1868-08-22

members of the Republican party pro-
tested against the policy that led to this
result. While the chiefs of the late re-
bellion have submitted to the result of
the war, and are now quitely engaged i'm
useful pursuits for the support of them
selves and their families, and are trying
by the force of their example to lead
back the people of the South to the or
der and industry not only essential to
their well being. but to the greatness and
prosperity of our country, all see that
those, without ability or influence, who
have been thrown by the agitations Of a
civil eonvulsion into positions of honor
or profit are striving to keep alive the
passions to which they owe their eleva-
ton, and they clamorously insist they
are the only friends of our Union. Proof
of that can only have sure foundation in
fraternal regard and a common desire to
promote the peace, the order and the
happiness of all portions of our land.
Events in Congress since the adjourn
ment of the Convention have vastly in
creased the importance of a political vic
tory by those who are seeking to bring
back economy, simplicity and justice in
the administration of our National af-
fairs. Many Republicans have hereto
fore clnng to their party who have re-
regtted the extremes of violence, to
which it has run, They have cherished
faith that, while the action of their
political friends has been mistaken, their
motives have been good, They must
now see that the Republican party is in
that condition that ID cannot carry out a
peaceful policy whatever its motives may
be. It is a misfortune not only to a
country, but to q government party it.
self, when its action lis unchecked by
any form of opposition. Ithas been the
misfortune of the Republican party that
the events of the past few years have
given it so much power that it has been
able to shackle the Executive, to tram
mel the Judiciary, and carry out the
views of the most unwise and violent of
it's members. When this state of things
exist i'm any party, it has ever been found
that the judgement of it's ablest leaders
does not control. There is hardly an
able man who has helped to build up the
Republican organization, who has not
| within the past three years warned it
against it's excesses; who has not been
borne down and forced to give up his
convictions of what the interests of the
country call for, or, il too patrioticsto do
so, who has not been driven from its
ranks. If this has been the ease, hereto-
fore, what viii be its action with this
new infusion of men, who. without AIDE
| cent respect for the views of those who
had just given them their positions, be-
| gin their legislative career with calls for
| arms, and demands that States shall be
regarded as In d condition Of civil war,
| and declaration that they are ready and
anxious to degrade the President of the
| United States whenever they can per-
suade or force Congress TO bring forward
new articles of impeachment The Re-
publican party, as well as we, ia inter
ested lin putting sonael check upon this
violence. It must besaciear ito every
/ thinking man that dispositionFof poll
teal power tends to check the violence
Of party action and assure the peace and
good order OF the country, The, election
i Of q Democratic Executive and major.
j ity of Democratic members to the House
of Representatives would not give that
party organization power to make sud
4 den or violent changes, but would serve
to check those extreme measures Whlci
have been deplored BY the best men Q
il both organ izations. The result WOalt
most certainly lead TO that peaceful re
a storation of the Union and re-establish
4 ment OF fratefnal relationship which th
i country desires. Lam sure the best mel
u of the Republican party deplere as deep
| fy al do the spirit of violence show
81 by those recently admitted to seats ii
4 Congress. The condition OF civil War
e which they contemplate, must be ab
], horrent to every right thinking man.
ii have no mere personal wishes whicl
! mislead my judgement In regard to th
i pending election. No man, who ha
Il weighed and measured the duties of til
: Office of President of the United State
1 can fail to be impressed with the dutie
4 cares and tolls of him who is to meet il
III demands. IL is not merely to float wit
t popular currents, without policy or
I'll purpose. On the contrary while Q,
g Constitution gives just weight to til
n public will, its distinguishing feature
j, j that it seeks TO protect the rights Of m
v i norifies. Its greatest glory is that
+ puts restraints upon power. It Civ
"A force and form to those maxims al
II principles of civil liberty for which q
,fI martyrs of freedom have struggle
n through. It declares the right OF q
il people to be secure in their person
n houses and papers against unreasonab
n search and seizures. That Congre
II shall make no laws respecting the esta
'eI lIshment of religion, or the free .exerci
i thereof, or abridging the freedom
IS speech or bit the press, Or the right
ii tile people 10 petition for the redress
ii grievances. III secures the right Of
Il speedy and public trial By an inpartl
j. jury. No man can rightfully enter up
Ii Che duties of the Presi DENTAL ofice q
j, less he il NOT only willing to carry q
ii the wishes of the people expressed y
1. constitutional way, but il also prepar
!, to stand up for the rights of minorltis
% He must be ready To uphold the free
10 lercise of religion. He must denoun
le measures which would wound persQz
ID or honae rights, or the religious co
Ii science OF the humblest citizens Of +
IL land. He must maintain, without q
s. tinction of creed pr nationality, all +
1, privileges of an American citizensh1
ID srhe experience of every public man "
pr has been faithful TO his trust, teach
ID him that no one. can do the duties Of
Is Office Of President unless he ii ready !
Ia only I'd undergo the falseh0ods and abr