New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-10-14
THE SHOEMAKER AGAIN.

sees trap without putting its foot into it
Men that are not honest never understand
how it can be the best policy. They mus
see a policeman before they can resist
temptation. IN writing the article about
shoemakers last Wednesday, it was our in
tention to dig trapfor the Democrat, just
as the detective leaves a corner of his
| handkerchief out when he wants to catch
Jenny Twitcher. And here we have it,
caught in the very attitude that convicts
it of being both stupid and dishonest.
To epitomise, writer in the Democrat,
signing himself a Shoemaker, wrote a
very lengthy but very illogical and indie
feasible letter, in which he attempted to
favor the election of his own class to Of
fee. The article contained the evidences
of its own weakness, and demonstrated
that the author was unfit to treat on mat
tiers which concern the government. 1t
is easy to judge Of a mans capacity by his
work, and accepting ''Shoemakers" COM
munication as a test of his ability, we at
once declared that he was an incompetent
politician. And to certify our good faith,
the proposition was deliberately set forth
that if Jacob Mueller would consent to
let this shoemaker run his business for
one month, free from interference, we
would then consent to help the shoe
maker into an Office, for although Mr.
Mueller's acceptance of our challenge
would prove nothing as to the political
ability of our Crispin, it would, at least,
satisfy us that the man was honest,
and that he had the confidence of our
honest friend, Jacob Mueller. This propo-
sition is still open, and We submit that
candidate for responsible public employ
ment should at least satisfy the commu-
nifty that he has some capacity as a man
ager before he can demand to be trusted
with the management Of political affairs.
So much for the prologue
1t is the duty Of the editor to strip men
and measures Of their fictitious attributes.
This Shoemaker" put on leather apron
and asked for Office because of his vest
ment. He appealed to all men with
leather aprons to support candidate
simply because he wore a badge of
their industry It was not question
of honesty or capacity, but simply mat
ter of leather aprons. He evidenced his
in the matter Of his address,
because he misrepresented the principle
of political advancement: he testified to
his want ofpolitical honesty by traducing
the Republican party. AS in duty bound
we exposed the weakness Of the aspirant,
and admonished him to stick to his last,
as he had but little chance of success as a
statesman.
The Democrat comes to the defense of
the Shoemaker, just as it comes to the
defense of the colored people on occasion.
It falls into the trap as easily as Jenny
fell into the calaboose. 1t turns
upon us as the enemy of the shoemakers,
which was just what we expected. 1t
sometimes says we are the enemy of the
,olored people, with just as much sin
:erity of speech. It is willing to make
politics game of soft sawder. 1t is
willing to misrepresent the most patriotic
if it can gain a vote by SO
loing. 1t is willing to fatter any class,
f it can make Democrats out of them |
hereby. And it not only abuses our SEN
ible advice to this shoemaker, but ii in
erentially declares that the Crispins are
he elect and responsible leaders Of po-
itical judgment.
Sensible men can see the difference, at |
nee, between a genuine Republican
newspaper and regular Democratic
rgan. What we said to this incompetent
spirant is what every responsible citizen
ught to indorse in regard to all men of his
lass. No shoemaker, nor painter, nor
awyer, nor philosopher, nor preacher has
be right to come before the public and
emand an Office in the name of his pro-
ession. Some of the greatest characters
n American history have risen from the
lpstone, but they mounted to position,
OF because they were shoemakers, but
ecause they were men, American his
Dry teens with instances of elevation
rom the lowly walks of life. But these
atriots and statesmen never held their
sather aprons in the faces of men and
eclared that they were great, and good,
nd competent, by virtue of their profess
ions.
The Democrat can have all the capital
can make out of this sort of clap-trap.
t is the veriest abuse of politics that thus
eeks to foster class interests for the sake
f a little class support. Society is con-
rete. Some of us must think, and some
f US must dig We need the politician,
nd we need the shoemaker. The one
hay consider that his position was not
.iriy signed to him, and the other may
-ish that he was something else. Every
ne must stand on bis merits, either as
hinker, politician or shoemaker, and
this test fails, the best way is to quit
he editor. of the Democrat is failure as
politician. That is evident. The shoe
naker is a failure, perhaps, in his bust
less. Let the two exchange places We
ertainly can not be injured, and if we
re, no complaint shall be made
TWO WAYS tn TREAT pOTrTrrs