New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-17

of men joyous enthusiasm, an impulse to
defend the Union to the last, and the be-
lief that we could do it successfully by
force OF arms. This sentiment was a sur
prise to the very men it aroused. But it
took all hearts by storm; the sweep Of the
impulse was irresistible; none, not even
the Democrats, could Withstand it. They
either said nothing or they fancied that at
the end of ninety days skirmish the
South would return, that we should shake
hands, and love each other better than
ever. The most patriotic and, we suppose.
the worthlest OF the Democrats made up
their minds that the duty of the hour or
the year. or the decade, was to crush
the rebellion, and such substantially came
pat deepened, and successive Bull Runs
taught us their bitter lessons, a large Dor.
tlon OF the old Democrats began to draw
themselves apart. They believed we ST ould
never beat the rebels. and, with incOnceiv-
able folly, they imagined the possibility of
a peaceaDle settlement Of. our differences.
SO soon as the wedge was entered, the old
habits Of thought and the old associations
were too strong for the fresh ideas of the
war. AS the South was again and again
successful, the cause of the North became
more and more identified with that of abo-
htlOn. Necessary violations OF law fur
The public lost patience, and began to call
them bad names. This, of course, has in
tensitied and embittered their hostility.
The vitality the party has exhibited since
is not at all difficult to explain. OF late
many things have come to pass to make it
easy to see how any man who was Demo-
crat during the war should have been an
intenser Democrat after the war. There
has been something in the general intent
Of onytp Jl,y,.r ~ Ia
to fill any conservative with disgust, and
to root in him heartier satisfaction with
himself and a profounder contempt for his
rulers. One recent principle of the Repub-
lican party may be fairly formulated as fol
lows: to break the law is a commcndable
thing if you have good reason, an
excusable thing if you have a good
pretext. We passed the fifteenth
amendment by readmitting into the
Union a few rebel States on condi-
ton that they should accept it. The Incl
dents Of Andrew Johnson's impeachment
the construction of the oath to vote accord
ing to the Flaw and the testimony" as per-
uniting Senators to vote as they thought
best for the interests Of the country; the
visiting committee who came to expOstulate
with Senators sworn to vote according to-
the claw and the testimony" the clergy
who came to pray with them; the avowed
intention of the Republicans to put out
johnson in order to make way for Wade,
who was to use the civil service to elect the
next President, and 80 "save the country"
for the twentieth time-all these proceed
ings are so outrageous that they now read
more like farce or burles0ue than history.
1T we did not know what great things the
Republican party has done, we should won
der how it survived such a record.
Such was the Democratic party of the
North during and since the war. If we re-
member with any gratitude the 100000 SOL
diers who persisted in the struggle, we can
never consent that the party which was
sneering, dabbling and hindering while
they were fighting shall in Its old form and
character again come to the front. But in
case the field of politics breaks up and re-
adjusts itself, is there any portion Of the |
Democratic party which we can turn to |
good account in the formation of national |
party of reform! We all of us know midi |
Vldual Democrats who are very nice peo-
Die. They are some of them good husbands
md good fathers; they pay their debts, are
,ften rell g1ous, etc. Yet taken together
hey go to make up this dreadful Demo
Eliminate from a respectable
Democrat his Democracy, separate him
rom his evil associations, and We believe
'Ou can make of him a useful citizen in the |
lew era OF our politics. C0teris pay-i6us,
N old Republican will be better retormer
han an old Democrat. In constituting the
lew Reform party we must rely mainly
pon what has been the great, enduring,
'atriotic, heroic, national party Of the
Ountry. Hatred of slavery and hatred
i robbery may be the qualities of men
lightly differing in their mental constitu-
ions, but they both have at the root the
owe OF justice and of public purity. The
act that a man did not rightly discern the
uty OF the hour in 1864 is prima facie eyi.
ence that he will not discern it correctly
n 1872. Yet the qualities which fit men to
ct intelligently in the two periods are not
lentieal Sympathy, indignation, love of
ERECTION. made men Republicans in 1856.
he mass OF that great Reform party
7hlch is hereafter to rule this country, or
t least to endeavor to purify it will he
OF men who unite these qualities
others not necessary to the patriot of
S56-a clearer discernment and frmer
,xture of mind, the knowledge of rogue
T demagOgue at sight, and the hearty de-
station OF him and his kind. 1t will hap
en-, however-it has happened-that men
no had heart enough to set their faces
salnst slavery. have been SO demoralized
Y Ialssez-faire and loose impressions that
icy may not see that civil service reform
imperative, or that it is any wrong for
I
Re can easily conceive of a man whose in
lncts led him Alright on the negro
lestion saying upon The doctrine of rota-
on In office that every dog should have his
iy: we can conceive of him indorsing as
ost original and statesmanlike the remark
MT. Morton, that I'VE have, upon the
hole, the best civil service in the world"
own IN his heart such person believes q
weed not a bad sort of fellow. He thinks q
at it is very well for Mr.. Tom Murphy to I
It his 500 900 year The would take it, he .
lows, If he could get it,. while Mr.. Clinch &
res the work and is content with twelfth
the pay. He believes good politician ,
be one who ''sticks to his friends" and
thinks these new-fangled people are
aking an unnecessary fuss about things
tn which he has been long familiar, and {
lich nobody ever before thought of find {
2 fault with. On the other hand, man G
rose instincts, interests and preiudices
| not incline him to espouse the cause Of I
9 slave, might have respect for techni- .
lities and restrictions, love of order,
d wholesome detestation of public
ewes which would make him excellent
.terial i'll the work of reform.
Morse Memorial Services.
A