New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-06-14
= 7nJlL STUPIDITY UNPARALLELED.

| GOhA
Te confess to profound surprise that
Laen accredited with at least an average
degree of political sagacity and acumen
should permit themselves to be seriously
led astray by what is popularity demon
mated the "Chase movement" Yet that
such is the fact there can now be hardly .
doubt nor does it appear very difficult 70
demonstrate that the mania-for we scarce
ly know how otherwise to term it-has
seized upon several so-called Republicans
in New Orleans. The political signs OF
the times at this crisis in the history of the
countrv-this critical juncture in the cause
of enlightenment and civilization-are too
closely scrutinized for the development to
have entirely escaped observation and de-
lection; and we do not therefore fer mo-
ment suppose that we are recording an
original discovery in chronicling these
facts. . ..r
By the stanch adherence of the Demo-
cratic party Mr.. johnson escaped just
conviction of high crimes and misdemean-
ors, and expulsion from his high Office. This
salvation is all that he can expect
from that party; his denomination is en-
tirely out of the question. Grateful to
Chief Justice Chase for his share in the &C
luittal, and possibly hoping to represent
our government at the Court of St. James
before retiring from public life, what in
fuence remains to him the President has
determined 10 exert for his friend and
benefactor, and secure if possible his nomin-
alton for the Presidency at the New York
convention. Johnson's strength lies very
naturally in the South. The vote of the
South is needed to Offset the strong Pen
dleton movement in the West, thus leaving
the fight almost entirely among the land.
holding Democracy representing New
York and New England, among whom it is
hoped the Chief Justice will develop I'M
expected strength.
1.-The Southern delegates are poor and
open to conviction" significantly says a
New York journal, and in their poverty can
convinced that Chase is the right man to be
vote for, even if he has been lifelong
opponent of their pet doctrines. There
are a number of purchasable~ Repub-
licans in phe South sufficiently pro-
minent for selection as negotiators Of
this bargain and sale and certain indi
cations from several of these unreconstruct-
ed States give evidence that the bartering
has begun. Advices from Washington
point to half a dozen uninauential but
would-be Republican leaders in this State
as having already entered into an arrange
ment with the Democratic managers for the
vote of Louisiana. 1t is needless to give
in this article list of the names, which are
in our possession. Suffice it to say that a
Federal Judge, somewhat connected with
public prinhng,is claimed to head the move
ment, and that the senior of legal firm Of
sonorous designation is supposed to have
already reached Washington for the pur-
pose of arranging the details of the pro-
gramme in order that proper cooperation
may be had,
We do not think there can be any doubt
whatever that this is a substantially correct
outline of a political plan which must now
rapidly unfold to the public, but we must
again confess our utter establishment that
sensible men should deliberately desert
their party, and hope to win either power
or fame by means of any such absurd and
quixotical venture. Can they not see
that the shre1d Democratic leaders are only
encouraging the hopes of Chase and his
friends with the object of creating division
in the Republican ranks? Clearly the design
is to 50 completely commit them against the
Chicago ticket that there will be no es-
cape from Democratic clutches even when
the Convention contemptuously casts its
dupes aside as it might squeezed lemon
which it certainly intends doing. Is it
within the range Of common sense or the
teachings Of experience to suppose that an
organization which looks so carefully after
the loaves and fishes as does the modern
Democracy will support any man whose
record is not clear and unstained in the
party TaalaraaGy Hall ct least will never
be so desecrated. And more especially
will it not depart from that old and re-
spected tradition that renegade from his
party is unworthy Of trust. 1t is funda-
mental tenet Of Democratic faith, confirmed
by long practice, that while apostates and
deserters may be received with open arms,
they must never be given the power to
do harm. The exceptions which
may be pointed out are only
sufficiently numerous to prove the rule.
And too fresh in the minds of Democratic
leaders is the confusion created in Repub-
liean ranks by the treason of Andrew John
son for them to risk similar experience
even were there no other reason for giving
the Chief Justice quiet congo on next an.
niversary day.
We feel sorry for the gentlemen who
nominally associated with us heretofore il
the cause of Republicanism, have thu
deserted to the enemy. We feel plying
sympathy for all persons who depart from
the path Of political uprightness and in
tegrity. This pity is magniied when dis
appointed or unworthy ambition is tn
actuating cause. In this case the deserter,
are too weak in numbers and influence 4
create even q ripple of excitement in thl
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