New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-21

progress. While the party is not faultless,
its deeds Of goodness 80 much Outbalance
those of wrong, that, in my heart of hearts,
yield it willing homage, and shall never
fail to stand with it in every meas
ure of reform. l have not attacked
the friends, but rather the enemies of
OF my party. l have done this because
believe their conduct is anti-republican and
dangerous to freedom. l have attacked
them because they have attacked Repub-
lican Governor by hurting charges in his
face they know are grOundless, thereby
bringing not only him. but through him
the Republican party into disrepute, and
| opening wide door through which our
enemies may rush upon us and destroy
we tell the gentlemen who manipulated
| the military convention that Louisiana is
not now. nor has she been these many years,
IN rebellion; her people, as rule, are law
abiding; they long since laid down their
arms and commenced the hard and bitter
task OF building up again their shattered
fortunes. Good men of the Republican party
babe them God speed in their efforts, and
have listened to their complaints and prom.
ised them such aid as lay in their power.
One by one the remnants Of the army
have been withdrawn. One by one the re-
strictiOns of military rule have been swept
away. until at last the people began to hope
the era OF civil government had dawned;
began to think the Republican party would
keep lis word, and leave the people free to
choose such form OF government as they
desired. just at this moment-:just when
hope revived, and better days seemed
| dawniDg-the tramp Of soldiers. the flash Of
bayOnets and the roll Of cannon dispelled
their hopes. We say to the President of the
United States that the conduct of his
officials has shattered the faith OF the peo-
pie in Republicanism. We tell the Pres-
dent that soldiers are not needed at either
Republican or Democratic conventions in
Louisiana. We call upon him to rebuke
the men who openly declare lie sustains
them in their measures, and give. as a rea-
son for his support, that he wishes to crush
the Governor because he believes he is OPP
posed to his denomination. We tell the
President this is not question Of ''nomina-
tons or elections; it is one OF principles.
1t is not a question OF who shall receive
the vote of Louisiana for President, but it
is question as to whether President shall
instruct the army under his control to throt-
tie State conventions. and thus silence sup
posed opposition to his future advancement.
If this is a republic, we have right to sup
port whoever we please for President. If
ii is not a republic, let States be crushed
out at once. and the army do all the voting
and law-making.
In considering the outrage of which we
complain. viz: the presence of armed SOL
diers before the doors of a Republican con-
vention, the President, if he be Just man.
should give no thought as to the positions
individuals may assume toward him. While
many believe that General Grant should be
reelected. there are many who think other
wise. l have been in favor of General
Grants reelection: SO have all the Repub-
licans in this State, of any note or power.
fhs. ro,o 1Ok I,
officials pass without rebuke for their
conduct. 1t would not be strange if
not only the Republicans of louisa ma,
but the Republicans of all the States should
doubt the wisdom of putting power again
in the hands of President who sits grimly
quiet and beholds the rights Of the people
crushed into the earth by an army created
dent will not long keep silent in relation to
matter OF which we complain. Silence on
his part will fail to set at rest the feeling OF
alarm and Indignation that has been aroused
throughout the country by the spectacle of
a State convention held like a council of
war with armed sentinels pacing before its
doors. and loaded cannon standing ready to
OF the North have yielded tull and ample
homage to General Grant. They have
hailed him as chieftain worthy Of great
renown, and drowned by their mighty
cheers the winds of anguish that
for years swelled up from the crimson
fields from which his fame was gar
nered. as a reward for services that will |
endure until history itself shall perish |
The people of this land made General |
Grant President-made him President with |
the full hope and faith that in the civil |
walks Of life he would prove himself as |
true to the peoples liberties as he had amid |
the shock and crash Of armies: made him |
President. hoping and PRAYING that his |
genius might shine as brightly in restoring |
as it did i'll destroying. The people trans
ferred General Grant from the command of |
armies to the leadership OF the party under
whose administration our great civil con-
tiict had been brought to a successful close.
Has General Grant fulfilled the high hopes
the people cherished Has he been as .eal-
GUS of the peoples liberties as we hoped he
would. Has he sunk. as President, all the
ambitions Of the soldier. Has he, in the
administration of the government. COM
muzzled and the pageantry of war to stand
aside and bend its head in homage
to liberty as clothed in the white robes of |
peace, she walked in loving trust and conf !
dence among her children. So far as Louis
lana is concerned the President has failed
to justify the hopes we cherished, for, by
the use OF his army, he has virtually pushed
aside the people and made his will imperial
in eciding the status OF parties. In our
State at least he has forgotten his high pO-
sition and placed himself upon lasting
record against the freedom of the people,
whose servant he is. AS Republicans, we
have stated our grievances to the President:
he has passed our protest cOldly by. We
meet the issue he has made without hesita-
tiun. and appeal to the people to rebuke the
military spirit that has taken possession Of
and dishonored chair made glorious by
never having heretofore been occupied by
man who sought by use of arms to crush or
change the peoples will.
thank you my friends tor the cordial
greeting YOU have extended to me- and also
for the kind attention with which you have
listened to what have said. regard it as
4 good omen, when see as do tonight,
men of different political faiths .ningling
Of one who differs greatly from them upon
almost every topic. This gathering here to-
night is an evidence that times are chang
ing: in itself it is a refutation of the charge
that men can not express their opinions in
Louisiana. l desire the good of this State.
wish to see her waste places restored, and
hear the busy hum of industry in every Sec
ton of this commonwealth. wish to see
good men in office; selected not because
they are black or white, but because they
understand the peoples wants, and will
shape legislation to meet them. l stand
with my party and with all good men in all
measures of reform, and am willing to do
my part in bringing it about: willing to do
my part and aid all good citizens in the
work OF building up and restoring Louisiana
20 the proud position she held in former
lays.