New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-04-25

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The courDs Of tho Democratic party
since the war certainly justifes the s1s-
picion entertained by Senator Morton
that its success will presage no good to
the country. It is true that whenever
that party is openly Accused Of treason
able designs, volunteer witnesses are not
wanting who rush to the rescue and make
positive pledges of future good behavior.
But in the practical world, actions form
much Better currency than words, even
when the guarantor is authorized to speak.
And as the acts which have led Senator
Morton to distrust the honesty OF the
Democracy have been upheld by the party
organs, Congressman and stump speakers
generally of the party, We are bound to
hesitate before we become fully assured by
the Picayune that no one in the South de-
sires secession. When the apologists Of
the Democracy can point to q
single thing which that party has
done to aid reconstruction or to
cite single contest in which it did not
go fiat against the government, it will be
time enough to listen to professions of
loyalty from papers whose own record is
far from being satisfactory. The recon-
struction measures have been time and
again declared null and void, and the last
three amendments to the constitution are
daily condemned. in unmeasured terms. by
all the Democratic and semi-rebel concerns
in the land. The outrages Of the Ku-Klux
are justified, not censured, and instead Of
the perpetrators being given up to the
hangman. they are extolled for their vii
lainy and grossly fattered as belonging
to the superior race. Union men are way
laid and murdered, and not protest ap-
pears in Democratic paper; the property
of colored citizens is destroyed, and the
facts are concealed as long as possible,
and when they leak out are strenuously
denied. Every act of the party points to
q renewal of revolutionary measures the
the party comes into power, but
when clear-sighted man like Senator Nor
ton foresees and points out the danger, he
is met by denials from such organs as the
Picaylne, which is in no sense authorized
to speak for the Democracy. But if all
the Democratic organs were to swear to-.
the peaceable intentions of the party
while they continue to uphold ku-kluxism,
they could not be believed. If they call
peaceable with their present
record, we can hardly trust them to be-
come legislators and judges. And it will
be necessary for the Democracy to put
themselves on peace footing before the
people win believe, them. They will not,
of course, be entitled to any reward for
their good behavior, even if they practice
any, but they may thereby escape punish
ment. With all their capital stock of
bitter hatred of the negro,
the Democrats would be unsafe rulers;
md it will require some better guaranty
than the Endorsements of irresponsible
organs to lull the well founded fears
raised by innumerable acts of wrong.
The Democrats may as well understand
first as last that there is new and pow
srful element in Southern society, whose
very existence depends upon keeping
heir old enemies out of office. Safe and
;ried men can be found for rulers and
,fiicers without taking such hazardous
isk as trusting the Democracy would be:
We advise Republicans and all who are
opposed to the Democracy to take no
isks now or at any .time, but vote for
hose who framed and passed the amend
dents and the reconstruction laws, rather
han those who opposed them from first
o last. That will be the only truly safe |
OnrSa