New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-16
THE RISING STORM.

LII AA0ANQ C4VhMs
The meeting held at Cooper Institute,
New York, on Friday night indicates in
unmistakeable language that we are on the
eve Of great political revolution For
months past the people of the Northwest
have been preparing for a change. The
Republicans of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois,
Ohio and the other great States of the West
have given themselves up to the work of
reforming the national politics, and they
have engaged with their traditional earn
estness and determination. New York has
responded in manner characteristic Of
the people of the greatest city of the CONT
nent, if not of the world, while other local
tiles are rapidly wheeling into line. Before
the meeting of the Philadelphia convention
this feeling will have become general
throughout the Union.
The principle underlying the movement
has been defined to be liberal Republican,
ism, but that does not afford to the aver
age reader full insight into the real mo-
tives of those engaged in it. The question
involved is, whether the people are to be
permitted to freely choose their own rulers,
or are the occupants of public places to
dictate to their masters in all matters re-
lating to the succession The high places
of the government should not be used for
purposes of coercion. And while all patri-
otto, loyal citizens are ready to accord due
respect to authority, and recognize in the
majesty of the law, in all matters within the
scope of his duty, this feeling does not and
should not extend to matters of conscience
in selecting candidates for Office. In this
is comprised the sovereignty of the peo-
pie. The President and his subordinates
are rulers in the line of their duties; but in
their application for reelection they be-
come the servants of the people and SUBJ
ject to their sovereign will.
An impression has obtained, not with
out good reason, that the present admin
istration seeks to perpetuate its power by
securing another term. The question is
solely personal one, or an option be-
tween Grant with his otficeholders, rela-
tives included, and some statesman of
more enlarged views to be selected here
after. At present, any man who claims to
be Republican without being Grant
man liable to have his claim denied.
This constitutes Grant the end and aim of
the Republican party of the Union, and
subordinates the people to mere auto
nations who are bound to register his
DEGREES. As the time approaches for the
great trial, the determination to resist
this political tyranny becomes more and
more manifest. The affair at Cooper
Institute is but mere skirmish to
what We shall see before the election,
unless there is change of policy
by the friends of the administration.
At this time, only the fearless, independent,
determined men Of the Republican party
are conspicuous in the movement. But as
it gains force and power through num-
beers, the vacillating and timid will join in,
with the hope to gain recognition in the
grand distribution of favors that usually
succeeds the Inauguration of new Presi-
dent. Even the Presidents own political |
household will furnish many tall recruit |
to the reform movement, while those who |
are already out of office have no other pos
sible chance for success than by working
for change. But it is to the great mass
of the people that we are to look for
strength in political revolution of the
kind. The average American citizen does
not seek Office for himself, but he is to-
nacious of his right to chose those who are
to serve the State This right has been
not only threatened, but actually assailed
by the friends of Grants administration. |
The Cincinnati convention will show the
response. The Cooper Institute meet
ing was merely recognition of the dam
gar and the acceptance Of the gage of bat
tie. The ides of November will bring the
lesson.