New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-14


this fact which sets at nOught the defences
of charter rights, this fact which puts to
blush the claims of party fealty, this fact
which arraigns the very method OF that IN
terror ruling Organization-this fact, l say
necessitates revolt from established rOu.
tine to attain any free patriotic expression
There can be no liberty OF utterance where
Ostracisln falls upon the best and bravest
who dare to dissent. Tradition has it that
among the ancient Lncrians ne who pro
posed any reform did so with halter
around his neck, by which he was sus
pended if the law was not adopted. Here
the hanging begins before the investigation
is permitted, and administration cartoons
against Sumner and Schurz surpass il
malignity the implement of Tweed or a
Connolly.
Those. therefore, like yourselves, who
have chosen another method of canvassing
the views Of the Republicans of this nation
find full warrant for any latitude Of pro
cedure in the surveillance thus set by Off
cial mandate over any questioning. .Fol
this reason the convention at Cincinnati
instead of evadiny, challenges rebuke fol-
its lrregularity. 1t does not pretend to be
a copy OF its rivals at Philadelphia or else
where. Cnshackled by ordinary proceed
nre, popular in its origin, limited to nc
hension and scOrns its adroit controls
Therein will be its power and influence
From the masses and Of them, it will EN-
body their trankest expression. Gathering
the hum blest along with the wisest, it will
combine enthusiasm with guidance. Tine
States will be represented and accorded
each its appropriate influence. Further
more, it boldly assumes an initiative, and
thereby gives warrant OF absolute sincerity,
not mere scbeming. This, after all, let me
say it with deliberation, is the highest title
to the confidence of the people.
The truth is, fellow-citizens, that our
country has for a long time been fully
aroused to the sinister modes of party
manipulation. Disrepute has attached from
the working of primaries, assessing the OF
fees, plying patronage and other j0bberies.
So strong was this general opinion four
years since, that both the great political
parties sought to take advantage of it by
going outside of their regular organization
in search of candidates. The Democrats
endeavored to nominate distinguished Re
publican, and the Republicans took up
with questionable Democrat. No one
ever claimed that General Grants politics
identified him with the party, and no one
was more surprised than himself when an
ingenious editor manufactured for him a
Republican record. The very doubt thus
suggested contributed much to his success,
since it was accepted by the people as some
indication that the baneful influence of rigid
partyism would find no Judgement in the
conduct of public affairs. And to-day the
prevalence OF passivism is but another sign
of the temper OF the times; not that par
ties are always baneful, but that the work
Of restoration requires broader and better
contemplation than lies within the temper
of any passionate triumph.
Accepting, then, the assurance OF wide
spread sympathy, it becomes a duty to
adopt such courses of political action as
will give an option to our countrymen of
passing condemnation upon a system whose
abuses they so clearly recognize. 1t is not,
therefore, as party in any strict sense
but as reform and a deliverance-that
liberalism makes its appeal to public
opinion. Definite outlines of action are set
forth, but it is rather the relaxation OF all
past discipiines that will fill the measure of
the great hope Of the country for new and
prosperous era. What the party of the
future will be- it would be premature now
to declare. Only this can be said, with GER
tainty, that it will take character from the
victory which may he won, not from the
relics left behind. What the present crisis,
however. absolutely demands, may be set
forth definitely in few words. Its require
ment. above all else, is President without
partyism, an army without a mission. a
Congress without price, and supreme
judiciary without politics.
Gentlemen of the convention, let us not
underrate the magnitude of this undortak-
ing. 1t is no small matter to shake loose a
victorious party from its mOOrings, and it
will be no slender argument that will have
weight to effect that object. Many attach
ments will have to be broken: many inter-
asts will intervene: many doubts will arise.
But have an abiding faith in the patriot
sm OF the American people, whenever a
hearing can be had. | know, too, that this
appeal. to have any success, must be made
to the mind and conscience of the conquer
ng North. 1t is there the public opinion is
consolidated which can make or unmake
governments. The conquered South stands
voiceless. And from whence can
come SO we'll the presentment that will be
powerful to touch the inner chords Of con-
Tiction as from the States of the West, peo-
)led with the manhood of those sinewy sons
Vt both North and South who have convert
I'd wilderness into a wonder of wealth
They have learned to know each other as
brave men ever do; they are free Of those
'estraints so tyrannical elsewhere, and in
the path Of empire they see with
intuition dangers to which older cOmmuni-
les are ever blind.
Your attention has been called to the III
through which the present
asst OF character has been given to the Re-
publican party-one which has disguised it
o completely that its earliest and most
teadtast friends can not always recognize
t. An inquiry into the results of that dis
ortion upon the general public thought
VIII also go far to satisfy you that it has
'een productive of no good and gives prom
Sc of no usefulness.
The protoundest problem of this time
me not second in Importance to any of the
,reat questions which have been solved
) to unite the people every where upon the
,asis of thorough reconciliation, to readjust
he displacement our political system has
uttered from the rule Of force, and to in
pire the new nation with its old faith in
'ur institutions. Otherwise there can be no
rope for still higher development of Re
publican government in the time to come.
And who of all OF us is willing to sacrifice
hat hope! Shall it be said that with so
much attained, with freedom accomplished,
elt-government affirmed, progress inviting,
We are not willing to confront the diff
u.ties of the hour and go forward to
lchieve that destiny which outlines itself so
,randly upon the visicning eye!
The people of the North, who have es-
'aped material disaster during the war, and
,njoyed prosperity since, are but too apt to
hink that they do not countenance any
latreds, and, because the forms are pre-
orved. that no violence or wrenching has
)een done to their political system. Con-
ider, however. that the conduct of our
rational affairs is only the legitimate fruit
# recognized sentiment that sustains
THAT it comes of public opinion, and is no
better or worse than that tolerates-and
hey may have reason to doubt the justice
# their self-complacency.
There are other and more striking proofs.
however, going to show that struggle so
'rotracted, highly concentrating ali authori-
y for special action, has encouraged changes
Il current political ideal at the North, dan