New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-10-19

Brief Communications Pubiishcd-Long
Ones Invariably Rejec.ed-THe Editor not
Responsible for the Sentiments Expressed
in the COmnaunicatiens.l
The New Political Test.
NEW ORLEANS, October ~, 1871.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
In an editorial which appeared in your
issue OF yesterday, under the heading Of
HALT" commenting on the proceedings Of
Customhouse faction meeting, held IN
Carrollton ON Monday night last, Lieutenant
Governor Dunn is reported as having said
that, "The time has come when colored
men can vote for none but colored men.
There are few white Republicans whom I
would trust, and am as good judge OF
human nature as any of my race"
AS Republican, desire to unite with
you in the condemnation of such incOn-
siderate and dangerous sentiments as the
above. believe but speak the mind Of
all honest Republicans when say that it is
my firm conviction that the dissemination
and adoption Of such pernicious dogmas, by
the cOlored voters Of Louisiana, as that
proclaimed by Lieutenant Governor Dunn
in his speech at Carrollton, will eventually
result in the utter ruin and destruction of
the Republican party throughout the State.
The fifteenth amendment to the constitu-
ton, which enunciates the principle that no
distinction in civil rights shall be made be-
tween citizens on account of race or color,
is the broad basis on which the great edi-
flee of Republicanism rests. and TO maintain
this doctrine in all its purity and vigor
should undoubtedly be the study OF every
Republican in the nation. colored as we'll
as white. But by reference to the senti-
ment above quoted. ii seems that the very
men whose liberty and rights mos: depend
on the perpetuation and maintenance Of
this principle intact are now among the
first to attack it.
1.-THE question Of color is to become para
mount in the settlement Of political mat
tiers. and be made the test of 4 Republicans
claims to official advancement. then the
great party which thus far has been the
pride of every loyal American must fall.
never to rise again.
1t appears from reading Of your report
of the Carrollton meeting that Mr. Speaker
Carter was present when Lieutenant Gov
ernor Dunn made the startling declaration
alluded to above. and desire to know if
his Republicanism is Of that stripe whic,
can subscribe to this new doctrine in its
full sense and meaning. Is Mr.. Carter con-
WINGED also that the political crisis demands
that men of color shall vote only for men
of color And does his experience teach
him that there is such an utter want of
good faith on the part Of all white Repub
leans as to render them unworthy of being
trusted. And if his answer be yes, then in
which category are we to place h:m-among
the faithful or the faith!ess
Lieutenant Governor Dunn. it may De,
finds it convenient now to forget that most.
nominated him for his present Office were
given him by his white Republican friends;
and perhaps Mr.. Speaker Carter, whose
memory is VIGOROUSLY defective when
occasion suits, deems it impolitic to remem-
Der that it was the vote Of the white Re-
publican members of the House which
turned the scale in his favor, and made him
what he is to-day. Let Mr.. Speaker Carter
mind his p's and as, for there is no telling
how soon this new principle may he made
to apply to him and his Customhouse con-
freres and let Lieutenant Governor Dunn
and his satellites be made aware of the
folly and imprudence OF their course ere it
he too late to amend.
They are now nursing in their hearts
dangerous principle. which may some day
turn upon them and intiict blow from
which they will not soon recover.
Respectfully, .
A THINKER