New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-14
THE GAME OF POLITICS.


T been vile fraud upon the people, thu
finally eliminated in an attempt to max
7 slavery the cornerstone Of the republic
The Democrats have not layed thei
favorite game with the adroitness of e1
perienced gamblers, though at times the
have manifested the desperation of tn
black-leg fraternity.
As early as the year 1925 the price G
cotton had commenced to be the objec
of much speculation in England AM
this country, plainly indicating that tn
institution of slavery, through the growtl
of cotton, was about to assume far NOR
importance in commercial and politica
sense than was ever anticipated by tn
founders of republican government il
America. 1t may be safely asserted tina
from this time forward for many years tt
come the institution of slavery was t.
continue to grow in political importanc,
until finally the combination of cotto1
interest in this country and Europe
should become strong enough to proclaim
cotton king in the United States O.
America. The invention of the cotton
gin by Mr.. Whitney about this time
greatly facilitated the growth of slavery
party in this country, and no doubt en-.
couraged the hope entertained by the en-.
emies of republicanism in England that
a ''bone of contention" had been discov.
cred that must finally result in a divi-
sion of the Union and the overthrow OF
republican government.
The slavery party was not strong enough
to assert itself when John Quincy Adams
was elected President; but the Southern
feeling" was evidently growing, and was
finally strong enough to defeat Mr.. Ad-
ans reelection in 1928. The combina-
tons that were entered into for this pur-
pose were made with leading Southern
men. In 1924 these combinations pre-
vented a choice of President by vote of
the Electoral College. Mr.. Adams de-
feated General jackson in the House of
Representatives, where choice of Presi-
dent had to be made. 1t is said Mr.. Adams
owed his election to Mr.. Clay, an emanci-
pationist, who was then a member of the
House. At any rate, there is no doubt
but that the Southern or sectional party
was then at work, for Mr.. John c. CAL
houn was elected Vice President in 1924,
and served during Mr. Adams admins
ton. In the next election, which resulted
in the defeat of Mr.. Adams, Mr., Calhoun
was reelected Vice President to serve
with General jackson as President, both
having received large majority of the
electoral votes. 1t was quite evident from
the coalition then formed that the South
ern feeling" was growing, and before Pres
ident Jackson's first term had expired he
had cause to take firm stand against
the South Carolina notification, or
States rights doctrine proclaimed with
so much boldness by Mr.. Calhoun and
other Southern leaders. President Jack
son promptly nipped their little game in
the bud and prevented civil war in his
time. He was sustained by the people,
and shortly after reelected President,
while Mr.. Calhoun was defeated by Mr..
Van Buren,, who became Vice President
Just about this time ex-President Adams
uac rot,,rpa1 n poar,bar of Co,oro., ID
took an active part against the party that
had caused the defeat of his reelection as
President. Petitions against slavery were
constantly being sent to Congress from
the free States, until finally the slavery
party denied the right of petition, and
Mr.. Adams became its great champion.
From this time on the excitement in
creased between the slave States and the
free States, though at times the counsels
Of the more conservative leaders would |
prevail. The election of General Harri- |
son to the presidency in 1910, and that of
General Taylor in 1S4S, were defeats to
the pro-slavery party, while the election |
IF James K. Polk in 1874 was regarded as
/ victory, because the annexation of Texas
Is slave territory was made an issue in |
hat election. The republic Of Texas had
been formed with slavery, and when the
people of that country asked to be an
lexed to the United States, the people
hereof elected President pledged to an
lexation, without considering the question
# slavery. 1t is true Southern leaders
nd the Democratic party generally at
hat time regarded the annexation of Texas
S victory to the pro-slavery party, but
he Northern, Western and Eastern men
vho voted for Mr.. Polk and Texas never
Intended it as such.
The game of politics was thus played
y the Democratic party until they de-
handed that slavery be made national;
nd when they found that slavery was no
onger winning card they determined
0 Jump the game" and secede from
be Union; at least that portion of the
democratic party-the ruling portion
iding in the South, determined to do this.
The new game they had undertaken to
LAY was also one that two could play
t. Their war game was unsuccessful.
They then concluded to try the game
# politics once more, but they play it
nore indifferently than ever They have
opposed everything that has been done