New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-03


} ing followers, bent upon crusade t
drive the Republicans out of Louisiana
He is knightly gentleman, carries hi
lance in perfect poise, and goes upon hi
errand more as a matter of duty than Q
love or inclination. Sir Henry almos
feels the defeat and disaster that tn
future holds in store for both himself an,
his cratic followers; but since ever his
tory began, when was it that obstinat
and deluded men have not mustered
forth to struggle in hopelessness agains
the fixed DEGREES of fate? 1t is part o
the knights most solemn duty, we be
leve, to engage with foes and to striv,
with hosts that are invincible, not in thu
hope Of winning a victory, but with tn,
desire to show how easyit is to die il
that cause which has been espoused with
faith. The earth is never without people
who are known to be pursuing some
unattainable object, some grand and beau.
tiful, as Ponce de Leon hunting for the
spring of perpetual youth; others, mad
and senseless as George Francis Train
after the Presidency. Mr.. Ogden re-
minds us Of these Missionaries in this.
that he believes in myth like Ponce
and follows an infatuation like George
Francis. Nothing can be more absurd
than to suppose that this State will ever
return to the status Of 1858, unless it is
the idea that the old fashioned Democ-
racy can or will bring it back to that
condition. Just as well expect the
masses OF Europe to fall into line behind
the house Of Bourbon, which they have
overthrown and beaten, as to expect that
the American people will ever accept the
Democracy, which they cast down and
spit upon, to be again their master. It
is not in the order Of things that what
we have abased can ever be allowed to
rise to lord it over US again. A certain
quality called superstition abandons the
people when they break their idols with
their own hands.
Like the friends Of every falling faith,
Mr.. Ogden and his associates call to us
with flaming periods about the good time
which the Democracy gave US in its youth,
and then again in its prime; but he re-
fuses to listen when We tell him that his
creed has worn out its usefulness, and
that his party has outlived its days Of
service He looks g; the aurora while the
world considers the volcano. He sees the
Democracy Of Jefferson, Jackson and
Polk, while the people turn away from
the portentious faction Of Buchanan, Sill
dell and Davis. There is a wide gulf be-
tween the Democratic party that annexed
Louisiana and Texas to strengthen and ex-
tend the Union, and the party which at
tempted to dissolve the only government
that promised freedom TO mankind. There
Is a record of glory for the Democracy
as there IS one OF shame, and since the
men who made the page that lives On light
are dead, let lot the men who made the
story that can only be repeated in dark
ness attempt to turn the favor of the
world by assuming the virtues that they
used their highest endeavors to destroy.
As the Democracy was once capable and
strong, so low it is broken and demoral.
zed. 1t wiped out its title to support by
the treason which it committed, and it
ost our confidence in its ability by the
which it has displayed at every
stage Of the contest which it has waged |
with the Republicans. A party that has
oeen beaten for ten years straight along,
which has changed its grounds with such |
disastrous results 50 often. and which is
o-day without "a platform and without
is not the organization to make
! campaign with next year And Sir
1enry d'Ogden, in protesting that his
'rmy is not in the throes of dissolution,
'tfers al alarming evidence that he be-
ieves in his own weakness Men do not
protest their strength unnecessarily when
hey are in health and before a party with
Ihom they expect to wrestle.