The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-12
THE NEW CHARTER.

1t is very suggestive Of something hereto
fore scrupulously concealed from the public,
that the Republican of yesterday morning
declares itself emphatically in favor of the
projected charter proposed by few of the
large reaLestate owners of this city. Some
time ago one Of the newspaper organs of this
Ubiquitous measure attempted to discredit the
motives off opponents by intimating commu-
! nifty of opinion between them and the adver-
saries of the project among the colored popu-
lation. The attempt was silly enough, but
entirely consistent with style which is con-
spicuous for solemn preteusion, reckless as
sertlon, and deficient reason. Everybody
knew that the grounds Of antagonism in the
two cases were essentially different; and every
body knew likewise that a coalition between
the white population of New Orleans and the
negro Radicals, was simply impossible.
Apart from the futile design to cast discredit
on the opponents of the proposed oligarchy,
there was an endeavor to distract attention
from the real coalition between the con-
trivers of the new measure, and the Radicals
of the Legislatures coalition which, if sane
toned by the people of New Orleans, would
be disgraceful to the community, as it is dis
reputable to those who originated it. Those
persons of course knew that they could not
carry their project through the Legislature
without making concessions to the Radical
majority, and they made concession which
amounted to a sale of the right of the
people of New Orleans to control their own
r,olioa affairc n, consideration &c l,a;co -
mitted to grasp the rest of the municipal gov
eminent for themselves. 1t is not certain
that even this surrender of right, which the
people of New Orleans have always regarded
as peculiarly sacred, was accepted by the Rad
icals in good faith, but the fact that the offer
of capitulation was made is enough to make |
the public look upon its authors with just |
suspicion, 1t appears now that if the Radi-
Gals ever did accept this proposition, they
have come to the conclusion not to adhere to |
their bargain. They don't intend to take |
little when they can just as well take
all, or almost all. Indeed, it was remark
able exhibition of simplicity on the part of |
the charter-mongers, to suppose that they
could induce the Radical majority of the Lee
gislature to abandon to them the richest por-
ton of the plumber to be wrung from the un-
happy public of New Orleans. The plan pro-
posed was an excellent plan for the Radical
purposes, provided it should be controlled by
Radicals, just as it is an excellent plan for the
provided the charter
mongers control it; and hence it is not sur
prising that the carpet-baggers are about to
adopt it and adapt it to their own use. This,
Of course, is the explanation Of MIR. Rays
amendment comforting the appointment of
The mayor and the administrators under the
new charter on the governor. Now we pre-
iict that the charter-mongers will hasten to
this matter with the carpet
'aggers, and that they will agree to the ap-
of the mayor and administrators by
he governor, provided the governor will ap-
Joint three men to be selected by them. Those
Eho were so swift to sell out the rights of the
'eople on the metropolitan police question,
Eill be quite willing to sell out to the carpet
aggers for half of the new city government,
they think that they cannot get any more.