New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-08
A PEACE OFFERING,


! Correctly estimated the nominations of
the Cincinnati convention must be re-
garded in the light Of substantial peace
offering to the country; the olive branch
that is to unite patriotic and liberal
minded men, of opposite opinions in the
past, in the good and noble work Of re-
form in the administration Of government
in the future.
The war and the repeated verdicts of the
people through the baIIot-box have defined
very clearly what the people understand to
be the principles Of the American govern
ment; but as principles are liable to per
version, and have been perverted for selfish
purposes, by the present administration OF
the national government it now becomes
the true advocates of self-goyernment to
unite in the election Of a President and
Vice President who will administer the
government in the interest Of the people.
The principles being well defined, it only
requires an honest administration to
secure to the PEG. lie the full benefits Of
republican government.
To regain this inestimabIe boon. the
Liberal Republicans have arrayed Them
selves against President Grant and his
radical horde of ofice-holders, who are
using their possession Of the government
to continue their political power The
Liberal Republicans have undertaken to
uproot this evil, and place the govern
ment on a sure and simple footing again.
In furtherance Of this purpose they nom
mated at Cincinnati two distinguished
Republicans as their choice for President
and Vice President, and adopted a plat
form broad and liberal enough to take in
the adherents of the old Democratic party
a platform sufficiently comprehensive, in
fact to suit the political views Of all men
who are satisfied to live contentedIy under
a republican government honestly admin
istered
The leaders of the present Liberal move
ment were the pioneers Of the Republican
party in its earlier and better days; in
times when it required bold and honest
heart to be a Republican; when there was
danger to be encountered and no prospect
Of gain beyond the proud satisfaction, to a
true man, Of having been faithful to the
sacred rights Of man. Horace Greeley and
3. Gratz Brown We're among the earliest
opponents Of slavery in this country Mr.
Greeley was Wing and Mr.. Brown a
Democrat when both were fighting for the
emancipation Of slaves This was before
the organization Of the Republican party.
When that party sprung into existence
they at once became active Republicans,
and are such at the present time.
When the suppression Of the rebellion
put an end to the war, Mr. Greeley and
Mr.. Brown were among the first to advo-
cate universal amnesty and suffrage. Both |
have been most anxious to heal the wounds |
that were inflicted by war upon the body
polite, and for that reason have urged |
upon the government the justice and pro
priety Of a general amnesty law. As they
acted in the case Of slavery, so they will
act in the case of amnesty They will
never cease their labors in that direction
until law has been passed granting am
uesty to all for past political ottenses.
Therefore the nomination Of these emf
nent citizens to fill the two highest
offices in the republic should be con
5idered a peace Offering Of the
most sacred and important nature; one
that is not to be lightly or irreyerentIy
treated. And it behooves the Democratic
party to regard the movement of the Lib
aral Republicans as not only a peace offer
ng. but a movement III the interest Of
ocal sef-government and administrative
'eform that no body Of men claiming to be
Democratic or Republican can afford to
neglect The Democratic party in the
)ast has enjoyed the confidence Of a large
,oul Of the American people The
Members Of that party have lived to see
hat confidence materially shaken. They
low have an opportunity to restore that
confidence by cooperating with the Liberal
in the restoration Of thorough
,eace, reform and prosperity