New Orleans Republican., 1871-07-16
A DISASTROUS FAILURE.

Some excuse may be found for the fac
tious action of majority of the Press
Convention in this, that one-half of those
who sustained Mr.. Carter were voting
| against their consciences, and the other
half were doing violence to theirjudgment.
Thus, it was plainly confessed that num-
Der of the members were forced to oppose
Governor Warmoth, through fear of losing
their patronage, while the remainder OF
the Governors opponents admitted his
popularity by resorting to such extraordi-
nary means to oppose him. 1t is plain,
therefore, that the conscripts acted against
their conscience; and it is equally plain
that the volunteers acted against their
| Judgment. If an editor is driven into
measures by apprehensions of injury to
his pocket or person, what are we to infer
but that his conscience supports the side
from which he was forced to withdraw;
and if another editor uses extraordinary
and improper weapons to sustain his posi-
ton, is not the inference very plain
that he feels his own weakness? Nothing
is more positive, therefore, than the de-
duction which we have made that the en-
deavors and efforts of the faction opposed
to Governor Warmoth offered in the Press
Convention the strongest evidence of its
own weakness and of the Governors
strength. If the opposition was SO strong,
and if its backing was SO imperial, why
did it resort to such unjust and improper
practices to sustain itself? With all its
force, with all its intimidation, with all
its popularity, the factionists barely
managed to carry the day by a majority of
two, while four of the Governors friends
were absent. And in the progress of this
victory, the Governor still held the secret
Of success, for if he had consented to
waver in his honest intention to protect
the State treasury, the majority against
him would have vanished into thin air.
1t was simply narrowed down to this
that if Governor Warmoth had consented
to sign certain bills which he refused to
certify to, he might have won a discred-
liable victory, where he lost a glori-
GUS fight. And all men who properly ap-
preciate the situation will praise the Gov
ernor's honest pluck, even if they doubt
his political sagacity in refusing to be
pushed into indorsing unjust demands
upon the State treasury. 1t is plain,
therefore, that the pretended defeat at
tributed to the State administration in the
Press Convention was simply the defeat |
by the Governor Of a well devised attack |
upon the public crib; and the raiders |
were indiscreet enough to give their ene-
my the advantage of confession against
themselves to justify himself with for re-
oulsing them. They assembled to coerce
he Governor, and were in turn coerced,
md forced to expose their own selfshness.
And it is proper that these facts and state
nents should go abroad into al the State,
md to every Republican, in order that it
nay be known how certain men have
lsed and are using the name of the Re-
publican party to forward their own pur-
poses, regardless of the interests of the
State. And how, because the Governor
nterposes oprevent the party from being
,rought into disrepute by these scandal
us measures, the very men, or a portion
f the very men who should defend him,
re using the means of the State to de-
anne and overthrow the guardian of the
If Governor Warmoth had been
isposed to make the same terms that were
lade by the opposition, he might have
'on adherents from number Of useless
ewspapers, or he might have silenced
pposition; but the duties of a public
fficer are not merely passive, they are ac-
We, and require him not only to reject, but
} actively oppose that dishonesty which
omes to his knowledge by impudently
seking his Endorsement. Some men put
le devil behind them gently, while others
ast him out, and our sympathy belongs
} tnlS latter Order, Tor When innocent /
ands refrain from evil reluctantly, they {
,e about half inclined to allow the weak
ass Of the flesh to prevail The leading
embers of the opposition in the Press
onvention met a prompt refusal at the
ands of the Governor, and although
Ieir lamentations may be loud, the SYM
sthy Of the people will refuse to follow
em. And the third parties, who OWNED
cir ulterior designs, and did not de-
,unce them, will make nothing by the
ton of the Press Convention, which /
admitted to have been a miserable I
lure as personal, financial and polit- I
al speculation. a