The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1870-03-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
The. Division Of Parties

The Richmond Enquirer, a true repre-
tentative ef the true cLivalry of the Old
dominion ID chivairy which Gen. Gruut
recently expressed desire to see perish
is battling nobly against the sordid de-
sire of seine ,Niryinians to keep sloot
from the Democratic party even to the
extent OF forming new political organ
ization. The chief sources of repuynunce
-~ to Democracy Oh the part of many per.
sol,s is that, (D as Whlss. they can never
march side by side with Democrats. and
t2) that, during the late unpleasautuess,
Democrats wagel bitter war against the
South. The Enquirer, with the anxiety
of IL truth seeker and not with the gall of
q valolous polrniic, essays to brush away
these objections. 1t takes it for granted
that Southern Wings of the olden time,
cordially dctest Radicalism, and desire
ab"ve all things to see it anniEilat+d and
the majesty OF the States restored. Now.
aany OF these ancient Wings confess this
hatred OF Radicalisln, but dcnlonstrate.
at the same time, II wonderful sensitive
ness about alingning themselves with
Democracy, on the curious plea that
Democrats were once their fnemen iu
days of i,eaco and their relentless enc
mies in days of battle TO the patriot
this ti'st ubj jec ton should not remain fer
al instant, since the division of Wing
and Democrat. i'll past times. have DO
sort of comparison with the alterations.
in this e|n'ch between Democrats and
Radicals brsi"<-, W!iS-ery is dead, in
spite of fate, and Democracy, however
baitered by st",ms and treacll-ry. still
survives. mighty engine for w.aa or
woe. Now> let it I've granted. once for
all, that war Democracy Was u vile thing
Over and over again in these columns
We have denounced the hluntler. But
let it also be- remembered that thnu$and.
who marched uxitiuS; lis Gn.ler the spell
of u dtluSin, ar" low snrely aware Of
their error, and willing to expiate their
crime. On this point, we quote from
tue EHq"irer:
I'VE are by 40 means the most ardent
admirers the Northern Democracy nave :;
but this We say. and challenge rttuta
tiou that during tie ~hole wdr. tie
Northern Ien,ocrnts s.mpat.i-el. IL Il
yreat ertsst wiM the Souther" people; AND
that, IF THEY Rad HAD THE rowE Err.
THEY WOULD HAVE STOPPED THE WAR
ON HONORABLE TERMS in IoGi, in 1862,
in 1868, or in 1854. We say that they
fought us reluctantly; aud becarse the
pressure at honie was so great that they
e0aId Net help it. just as many Union
nsen were ut the South forced into Ne
CsssioB as the Democrats at the North
we're furcrd into the war. Why did they
not help ns it is asked. They could
not hslp ia, without running the risk Of
being hung by their neighb"ls. They
could NOT organize to help US. because
the armies and the Government were in
the hands of the war party. We have
heard Democratic at the South complain
with bitterness Of the Northern D+moc-
lacy in this matter; hut We have stated
The case fairly"
1t ia sh"wn, too, that. since the war,
these Democrats Of the North have tried
10 help us, not wisely at all times. but
We must coDcede honesty of motive. 1t
Nm theasand pities that they have hecu
hacked and brow beateu, and ten thou
ssad more piti-s that no great leader has
risen among them t" grappl~ with the
msnsser of Radicali>m, ;as the legend re-
ports st. George t" have coinbated the
Dragon. Bot the fact still remains that
th~y are the ""ly real friends the South
has; aud, while we shn:,ld not slavishly
depend upon them for rescue, we may
rely upon it that the country will never
De brought back t" true principles with
Ous their active cooperation. Pretty
soon, all sorts of bats will he thrown ont
10 catch the unwary and dissatisfied
amang the Southern people. Already
ibaeeti, We hear of new parties abont to
10 krned. Suppose. as the Enquirer
ssates u, "a genuine middle movement
shoRsd be formed, what would be the re
sait, except that the Democratic ranks
heing broken in twain. the Republicans
Woald walk over the course r.
hers 10 the great dagger 10 Georgia
W coquetting with what are called Con-
ssvanve Republicans. It Will not he
ieng. In case the Democrats eeuntenance
Them. that a new movement will take
Rsaee under the most cunning disgnises
- ode side. and q first-class delusion
saae other. Penetrated with these APP
Essesasaons, We join with our Richmond
se.tenporary in deaouncing tlis project
sslFehand, and call upon Democrats
sefywhers, to keep their organization
.hsacs. and beware Of forming base ALI
sscss with either the extreme Radicals,
W canning Conservative Republicans.
We new party faction. With extreme
eadicaiisn NO decent man can go; with
Isnssssative Republicanissn no wise
seson should affiliate. At the same
s.lae = beware of your restless middle mar.
s OA the fence with " vengeance, aud
y Wants half q chance to heat a Re-
ueiaeAn drum in Republican torch
sa8hS pr0cessiOn,- Columbus paDer.