New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-08-22
PUNISH ALL Oh NONE.

PUNISH ALL Oh NONE.
Marshal Packard has been conspicuous
" and severely criticised in the REpUB-
1rcAN in connection with the improper
practices which were attempted toward
the recent convention of the Republican
party in this State, and, to the extent OF
his culpability, we have endeavored to
impress him with the disastrous nature
of his employment, not so directly for the
purpose of destroying his popularity, or
of inducing his dismissal, as to overcome
him with q conviction that he was in
error, and that it was his duty to forbear
from any further prosecution of pro-
gramme which could only end in failure.
And while we have no present intention
to relent in our opposition to his general
course faction in opposing the State ad-
ministration, it must be distinctly under
stood that our censure is not personal to
him as Mr.. Packard, but that it is against
him as the representative of clique or con-
federacy of men who are equally response
BILE with himself. Mr. Packard is one of
several prominent gentlemen who have
attempted to demoralize the Republican
party, and if reference has been made to
him by name, it was done because he was
the mouthpiece and executive agent OF
cabal whose Office it was to divide party
which has only been victorious in Louis
lana because it was united and consistent.
And although he and they are still pur-
suing destructive line of policy, and one
which we must oppose, it is but just to
say that the responsibility is not alone on
Mr.. Packard, but that it rests quite as
heavily on his confederates in error. The
late State Central Committee prompted
the work of decentralization and supported
every movement that had for its design
the weakening of Governor Warmoth.
Messrs. Lowell, Casey and Joubert We're
faithful to every proposition that soughtto
diminish the confidence of the Republican
party in the State administration, and
whatever step the Marshal took looking
to the destruction of Governor Warmoth's
influence, that step was supported, and
perhaps prompted, by his associates in
the conspiracy. 1t seemed as if the Cen
trail Committee, which was State institu-
ton, had abdicated its functions as local
organization, and was to become the organ
and executor of designs that had their
origin with the representatives of the fed
eral government. The officers of the
United States acted in harmony with the
Marshal, and, while Mr. Packard is re-
sponsible for his share of the demoraliza-
ton, it will not do to visit the entire blame
upon him while his associates are equally
subject to apprehension. As he went, so
they departed, and the party must hold
them all to the same measure of censure.
The attempt to fasten the entire blame
upon the United States Marshal is only
another evidence of the weakness of the
maneuvre against Governor Warmoth, for
it demonstrates the failure of the conspi-
racy and proves for the millionth time
the truth of that old and selfish saying ::
''Sdore qui pe,d.
AS we have simply dealt with this en-
tire proceeding in a spirit of justice,
holding the real authors of the disaffec-
ton guilty to the extent of their partici-
patton in its development, so now We can
not consent to see one man made to bear
the entire blame for what many advised
and urged upon him and upon the party.
The r arty of the country must look to
Messrs. Casey, Lowell, Joubert, Carter
and Stockdale as equally guilty with Mr..
Packard, and their fate should be the
same as that which is visited upon him.
Either all must fall, to vindicate the in
tegrity of the State Convention, or it will
be an act of injustice to punish any.
The magnitude of the attempt, and the
prominence and unity of the conspirators,
prevents the idea of any atonement by the
scape goat process.