New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-28
THE DEMOCRACY AND THE FACTIONIsTs.

Finding the opposing hosts of the Repuo-
licans too strong, they feared to meet
them in the open field, but resorteo 10
strategy to first divide and then attempt
to conquer. The so-called Christian Re
publican Association, made UP OF NAL
contents and unworthy members of our
party, was in all essential features an
auxiliary of Democracy, it was sustained
by Democratic subscriptions, extolled by
Democratic presses and orators, and en-
couraged in their work of trying to destroy
the Republican party in the same manner
that the present malcontents in our party
are now encouraged by the leaders of the
opposition. The failure of the movement
last year was total The so-called Chris
tan Republicans did not elect single
candidate, and we do not remember that
they drew off strength enough in single
district TO insure the election of Demo-
GRAFT But the fact has not deferred
the Democrats from making second
attempt. They have, however, modified
their plan of attack. Last year they
wasted their energies on men Of no COM
handing influence, and hence their move
ment miscarried. This year they have
struck higher, as they suppose. They
have enlisted the services OF Messrs.
Casey, Packard, Lowell, Carter Flanders,
and number of strikers of lesser note.
The object is plainly to carry the State for
the Democracy in 1872. So that instead
of the Christian Republican Association
the better members of which have long
since become satisfied of the bad inten-
tons of the Democratic party, and re-
newed their allegiance to the Republl-
cans-a few faithless officials are acting,
at this time, with the Citizens Association
in the interest of the Democratic party
The Citizens Association is composed OF
a small body of property holders who
are opposed to public improvements and
other Republican principles. They pro-
TESS to be very honest and disinterested
in their efforts for the public good and
if some of them were not known to have
lrofted by public station-not known to
have been violently opposed to the Re-
publican party ever since it came into
power-it is quite possible their purity of
motives and patriotism might not be
questioned by any at this time. But
knowing them to be human, and subject
to the frailties that beset mankind in gen.
eral, their professions of honesty and
disinterestedness will be received by our
people with good deal of caution.
1t is true they are all reported wealthy
men, but this does not make them any
better qualified to judge of what is right
or give them any more political privi-
leges than is enjoyed by their less favored
fellow citizens They may gain the ear
of Mayor Flanders, and he may be
swayed by them instead of those who
placed him in his present official posi-
ton, but they are none the better for that,
nor can they honestly approve of Mayor
Flanders conduct, nor of the conduct of
the few federal officials who are bent on
mischief to the Republican party in this
State. 1t is quite certain that if Messrs.
Carter, LOWELL Packard Casey and Elan
ders were of sufficient political force IN
this State to cause defeat to the regular
Republican ticket, the victory would be to
the Democrats. The gentlemen COM
posing the Citizens Association are
we'll aware of this, and therefore do not
hesitate to- promise their money and
spend their time in engendering dissen-
sions among Republicans. They have
succeeded with a few who have been
trusted; who have been tried and found
wanting. But when these few 60 among
the great body of Republicans in this
State, preaching infdelity and apostacy
to Republican principles-to equal civil
and political rights they will find that
Jordan is still hard road to travel.
We really pity the men who can en-
gage in such work from mistaken notions
of duty; but for those who are goaded on
by an unsound ambition and a groveling
selishness, the true and patriotic will en-
terrain an utter contempt. The men
whose honest convictions lead them to
entertain different principles can be re-
spected; but the time-seryer and political
turncoat are alike detestable.