New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-01-22


who does not use it? Is there king or an
emperor who does not struggle to main
taia it among the kings and emperors
From the seller OF apples and peanuts on
the street corners to Stewart among mer-
chants the word is in constant use. From
tie poor lawyers hanging around police
courts to the chief justice it is held OF
value. Even in the lowest haunts of vice we
hear its repetition, and respectable prosti.
tutes and respectable houses of prostitu-
ton are talked of, and singled out for CON-
mendation or censure. And in churches
dedicated TO the worship of God it enters,
and struggles to command the best seats,
the best elergymen, the best musicians, and
in the end and in the same way the best
mansions in heaven. Among artists,
poets, literary men, and men of
science, it has a deeper and more
truthful meaning, and creates its grades
in the republic of letters from the
pure gold OF genius, but it still sees some
thing above to aspire to, and something be-
! low to recede from, and savants, in whose
capacious brains all knowledge seems con-
centrated, talk of men Of respectable at.
tainments when they mean those who tread
en- stars as on paving stones, and walk the
streets of the universe crowded with burning
worlds as easily as they do the cities of our
little earth. From the rag -picker watching
the mornings sweepings to Humboldt, Re
spectability has meaning, and one extreme
is about as near realizing it as the other.
It is ever in sight, and yet constantly eludes
the grasp. So much for responsibility in
general a word now for a special phase of
respectability-that so frequently talked
about in conservative political circles
One of the purest spirits in English liter
ature, and one whose whole life was de-
voted to the elevation of the common
people-the Rev. F. W. Robertson-said
that in principle he had always been demo-
cratic, in taste aristocratic. And his con-
tict between taste and principle explains
the reason why so large a class of people
who consider themselves and are generally
admitted to be respectable, refrain from
participating in the details of political
strife.
The idea of attending a caucus or pri-
mary meeting is revolving to them. The
clouds Of smoke, the smell, of bad whisky
breaths, the coarse oaths, the vulgar .ests,
the brides, the corruption, the tricks, all
the dirty work necessarily entering into the
laying of the foundations Of parties they
despise and loathe and can not be induced
TO assist in. But when the rough work is
accomplished, when the platform is laid,
principles proclaimed, and standard bearers
named, then they come out from their
pleasant homes, and if distinguished and
eloquent speaker is TO be heard, attend
a great mass meeting, and have themselves
announced as presidents aud vice-presi-
dents, and their names published in the
morning in all the papers. AAd on cleo
ton days their tastes again triumph over
their principles, and rather than be iostled
in crowds at the polls on a rainy day, they
stay at home, lose their vote, and have the
satisfaction of learning the next morning
that their principles were defeated while
their tastes were being gratifed.
After candidates are nominated how fire.
quently we hear these relatively respecta-
BILE men ask who such and such men are,
where they are from, and what are their
qualifications? and after having their inter
regations answered, see them turn away
with sneer and say, Not a respectable |
man on the entire ticket
mot a respectable manp' Next to
Washington stands the name of Abra-
ham Lincoln. But few years ago
Abraham Lincoln was called baboon, a
giraffe, country lout, and the respectable
of Chicago and the Nosshwest could not be
prevailed upon to admit him within its
eharmed circle. And Douglas, carried |
drunk night after night from saloons, and |
tipping houses, respectabiIity stood aloof
from, and held up her hands in holy horror
at the freedom Of his social habits. But
Douglas at last reached the senate Of the
United States, and Lincoln the seat
where Washington sat. Both made the
state Of Illinois and the nation Of the United
States illustrious through their talents and
when their ambition eliminated in success
none were 50 quick to do them reverence
as the very responsibility that frowned
upon their every effort while in humble
life. We say therefore to eur young
men on orr state and congressional
ticket be not afraid Of the saunts Of
respectabilIsy. Responsibility worships
success and nothing else. Achieve success.
and respectfully will take you by the
hand, admit you into her social circles and
never ask you how you obtained 1t. Two
thirds Of the congress Of the United States
came from the cutters Of the United States.
and the CUTTERS have sent the best talent;
it brought Tie nation through the war and
will bring the natisn through the conflicts
Of peace. We had rather see one self
made man in congress than ten raised ID
Inc hot-hcuses Of responsibility. Self
made men come from the people, know
what the people want, and return to the
people what inherently belongs to them.
Be not discouraged therefore II respecia-
bility Is asssnst you. Il Is impotent, II
can not work because It will not. Be
active therefore, work with ali veur might