New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-01
THE CELEBRATION YESTERDAY.

THE CELEBRATION YESTERDAY.
The celebration yesterday in honor OF
the ratification of the fifteenth amendment
| to the United States constitution was all
| that the friends OF liberty and consilsu-
tional government could desire. The day
was made bright with the golden rays OF
| a new summers sun, and there was just
enough of the balny south wind to re-
lieve those of the suns heat who were
marching in the ranks Of freedom. The
day itself was enough to excite a feeling
of gratitude in the minds of all who love
Go1 and rejoice in the beauties of nature;
but to our recently enfranchised people
these who have been redeemed
from slavery and by the ratifica-
ton of the fifteenth amendment have
been crowned with the rights of citizen
ship-there was special cause for humble
gratitude and demonstrations Of JOY. But
while there is cause for this exhibition
of gratitude and Joy on their part, their
changed condition has brought with it
solemn responsibilities that they, in COM
mon with all good citizens, can not expect
to avoid or neglect if they would continue
in the enjoyment of rational freedom.
They must endeavor to qualify for the
very important changes that have taken
place in their condition They can not
do this by plunging madly and blind
ly into politics. Partisan politics have
proved curse to this country in the past,
and have aroused bitter class prejudices
and caused much bloodshed among the
people. All friends of republican govern
ment deplore such lamentabe condition
Of society, for unless checked it would
destroy self-government, and consign the
great mass of the people to slavery. TIE
REPUBLICAN has always endeavored to
speak plain. and with candor, upon SUBJ
jects that vitality affect the public interest
and the cause of republcanism. 1t
has never fattered or deceived the
race it has helped to bring up to the con-
dition of manhood. 1t will not attempt
to do so now. In the eloquent and truth.
full language Of one of their own race
one who was once a slave-we will tell
the newly enfranchised henceforth they
ARE to live in new world, breathe new
atmosphere, have new earth beneath and
O pou lv oh tbay,, T7boir rar MN
dition brings with it that which should
make them thoughtful as well as joyful.
1t sweeps the future of their ancient
and filings them, as
a race, upon their own RESPONSE
bility. Equal before the Lord, equal at
the ballot-box, and in the jury-box, the
glory or shame of their future to fall upon
themselves This is the language of
Frederick Douglass, a1d We indorse it as
The glory or shame Of the race
hat have been emaucipated and clothed
with the high duties of citizens rests with
hem now. Their future action mus. de-
;ermine this. If they are wise they will
sschew politics as a profession. But few
men can be successful il pol
tics--and many become degraded ny
useful occupations and |
becoming political drones; hangers-on to |
he skirts of men who only wish to use
hem for their own political promotion.
This is something that does not only ap-
,ly to the newly enfranch sed. It is a
essen that may be received with much |
benefit, if needed. by all classes OF our
PEOPLE. There has been al ofice-hunting
mania among large Plumbers Of them for
ONE time, and in the wild pursuit Of
flee many have fallen from the high es-
ate of true manhood We speak OF this
ow because new element has been
brown in our political composition, and
is but right it should be warned against
le dangers that stand in its path; dam
ers th at are to be Stunned by all who are
'uly Republican.
The whole affair was creditably managed
nder the supervision of Mr.. Alexander
Barber, Grand Marshal, and his aids.