New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-13
EXPLOITATION TN THBORY.

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power to try to render disreputable those
who hold it. This sort Of people are
always prolific in promises Of how much
better they would be, if only the reins OF
government were intrusted to them. The
dark places would become light, and the
rough places smooth, as if by magic.
Honesty would be their tombstone, and
the welfare of the State their chief aim
and CRITERION.
This idea has not been lost sight Of by
the political coalitionists who are straining
might and main to reunite the disafected
Reformers and Democrats, They-can not
forgive, on any terms, that wing of the
Republican party which, under the lead
of Governor Warmoth, has repeatedly
effected their discontinue in this State
BY detaching the Democrats and Reform
ers from the Liberal movement, they are
confident they can at least elect Mr. Kel-
logg Governor, whom some conservative
citizens, say a noted mouth-piece of
the Grant Reform-Democrati politicians,
think so highly of as to believe that his
election would-be an event of lively graft
fcation to the States honest inhabitants.
Evidently these conclusions are drawn
from the supposition that only those who
oppose the Liberal policy are the honest
men in the State,
But to sustain these assumptions two
doubts must first be cleared away:
First. the impossibility of electing IN
der any circumstances the so-called
Omitted S ate Ticket" and,
Secondly, that Reputation Of the obi
cations cf the State is honest.
1t would be very difficult to disabuse
that public impression which sustains the
belief that the coalition ticket put out by
the Democratic and Reform committees
was not got up in the interest of the Baton
Rouge nominees. Indeed, it has been adj
mitted by an authority whose right to
speak of the purposes of this fusion ticket
none can. question, that it is not designed
to interfere with the presidential race at
all, but to prevent State ticket in sue
cessful opposition to that Of Baton Rouge.
All along these people have been more in
clined to the success of the Radicals than
any others Of whatever auspices.
They say that they are in favor of re-
form, and that honesty is their chief
policy. How can this be when their first
declaration is reputation? They attempt
to please the people Of Louisiana by hold
ing them up in the aspect of bankrupt
debtors, who are seeking to avoid honest
obligations and just responsibilities. Is it
possible that they imagine the people have
sunk SO low in the scale Of political de-
pravity as to feel complimented at the idea
of becoming cheats and swindlers? For,
admitting for the sake of argument that
there are good and bad debts of the State,
how are you going to distinguish them?
Most of the bonds of the State have passed
into the hands Of third parties, and, should
the distinction be made, how can these
purchasers be deprived of payment of
bonds for which they have given an equiv
alent? The proposition is an absurdity on
the face of it. 1T is admitted that renudia-
ton carries with it the worst sort of
odium; indeed, so disgraceful that it is
only endurable by having control of the
State affairs, since in such contingency
only could the regulators clear themselves
of justly anticipated imputations. But
with the moneyed interest Of the State in
their hands; with the power of appoint
ment, and the privilege of manipulating
legislation, the infamy Of the transaction
might possibly be got along with.
But these men go a step further in their
earnest appeal for power. They have no
idea of having any of their calculations
thwarted by exposure and ridicule Be
fore they commence the rigid scrutiny
necessary to expose the illegitimate obi
cations of the State, they must be elected
to Office. Until then, vague and indef-
mite promises must suffice. An exhaustive
analysis of the whole debt, without having
the power to do SO by commission of ex-
perts acting under solemn forms of law,
and without the power to confirm the re-
suit by a legislative enactment, would be
premature.
1t certainly would be dangerous expe-
dent to depend on it as an electioneering
document. fit should happen to fail, all
OF their delicate continuance would fall to
the ground. But we have a remedy to
suggest. Take the report OF the Auditor,
and give the public an insight of what
viii be done when the coalition party or
the radicals come into power. This will
not be wholly an unofficial investigation,
nor can the enemies Of reform take advan-
tage Of it to prejudice the Reformers with
the bondholding or moneyed interest. By
this means we shall see who are dishonest
and unlawful creditors of the State, and
those who are voluntary and conscious ac-
completes oflegislative iniquities.
RATIFICATION MEETING LAST NIGHT.
Whatever may be claimed on the score
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