New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-24
DUTIES AND DIFFERENCES OF PARTI
SANS

When an eminent citizen visits us, on
in fact, worldwide it is but natural tina
the presence of the man should call t
mind his history, and as that histor.
passes in review the inquiry is pertinen
how far does his career afford an exampl,
worthy of imitation? The recent visit O.
Hon. Horace Greeley may serve to illus
trate our meaning. He came among us 6
private citizen, just what he has been,
with very brief exception during all his
active life; yet it might be difficult tc
name any one now, or heretofore, in high
official position whose presence would
have excited more general interest, or who
would have received more, or more de-
served attention.
1t is not the purpose of this writing to
notice in detail his many characteristics,
but rather one of the many Therefore,
we only remark of him generally, in pass
ing, that as his rule of life has been daily
improvement and progress, so has he la
bored for the progress and improvement
of others, of all peoples; for in this regard
his efforts, like his sympathies, have been
limited by no lines of nationality or race.
On no important question that has excited
the public mind or engrossed public at
tention, at home or abroad, has he been a
neutral. 1t is no part Of his nature to be
ano-sided looker-on. If as a consequence
of his characteristic traits, he has often
been far in advance of the public mind
and, therefore, occupied an unpopular
position, his consolation may have been
that thus has it ever been with those who
ultimately lead, instead of floating in the
wake of the masses. But on this and
kindred thoughts we can not dwell
Our present purpose is to notice Mr.
Greeley as a partisan, and to refer to a
correspondence between him and another
pure and noble man, now no more, to IL
lustrate the rule which should govern
every honest party man.
A political party is distinguished by its
principles and by the measures adopted
to carry them out. The mere politician
may act on the theory that 1.-The end justi-
ies the means" The true patriot will
Scorn to gain the most desired result save
BY strictly honorable measures.
The principles of party are of chief
Importance. If founded in reason and
ruth, they can not change. Least Of all |
should they be condemned, yielded or
because of error in the means !
lsed to insure their success. So, too,
When party continues long in power,
and venality are likely to creep
II and hide themselves beneath the man |
les of high places. This state of things
hould and does disgust the man of /
Conscience, but it affords no ex-
use for deserving true principles, or
be party representing such principles.
he man who asserts that twice two are
our" may be a common liar. but that fact
oes not warrant the denial of an I'm
truth. So the party whose
latform proclaims that liberty is the
irth-light Of every human being NAV
ecome hypocritcal come to be
or more or less influenced by
email leaders; yet do these facts furnish
0 excuse for deserving a great cardinal
rinciple and going over to the camp of
lie enemy. The true lover of his coun-
y and of sound doctrine will rather re-
ain with the party whose professions are
ght, and there labor to weed out the
Tpocrisy and venality which mar its
'od name and stand in the way of sue
IS. No other course is patriotic or
,nest
Coming back, now, to Mr.. Greeley and
S political course, to illustrate our sug-
stion, it may be said of him that while
,rhaps no other man has done so much
tn his pen as he for the Republican
Irty, it is equally true that no other man
that party has so often differed from it.
und fault with, and, in many instances, :
Idly condemned its measures, or the
urse of its leading men. Yet, because
saw his party going wrong, or its lead 6
) falling into error, did it ever enter his
nd to abandon his colors and 60 over to
e Democracy?
During the recent civil war, Mr.. Gree
Z was far in advance Of his party in
ging the overthrow of slavery, and his :
ter to President Lincoln pressing the =,
option of that policy with all the might =
his powerful pen, and the plain, frank, +
firm reply of the latter might each
i both be cited to show how true !.
rty men-men who are OF our "
rty because Of its principles, and q
for personal ends-may and
ould differ, if they can not agree, with c
in the least aiding or comforting the a
nmon foe. We have not the letter of n
. Greeley before us just now, and with
it should not give Mr.. Lincolns reply. o
know the result. Mr.. Greeley, find Y
his suggestions declined and his argu- IT
nts unavailing, did not, like a mere
itician, fly in a passion and declare
nself absolved from all duty to support \
President or his party, but continued Al
labor as before, content to wait for what :,
knew was SIRE to co,,a ,rb;1o h, 81 %