New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-02

parish assessor of federal revenue, and
says Mr.. Hardy, ''no assessor who has
not sufficient influence in some parish to
90 to conventions, State and district, has
not sufficient strength to retain his posi-
ton"
'If," continues Mr.. Hardy, "there is
any probability Of any one getting in
ahead of u.s. hare the aohole thing put up at
once" And incidentally Mr.. Hardy re-
marks that he himsalf would like to be
the delegate from Richland parish.
John Ray is their man, Mr.. Hardy
asserts, and under his benign auspices the
hopes of the coalition are radiant and the
prospects lovely.
'sThis is the plan,' Mr.. Hardy repeats,
land we want everything fixed up, so that
when the call is issued there will be no de-
lay"
And it may assuredly be considered a
plan worthy Of its creators-cunning, dis
honest and fraudulent. Something of this
nature might have been anticipated, but
not all of the remarkable features, which
distinguish it.
First-It is evidently in the interest Of
the President, as contradistinguished from
the interest and will of the Republican
party of the State. Because it originates
with federal office holder, who employs
the authority and power of the President
to enforce it, saying in explicit language
that any assessor who fails to carry out
the plan acM be unable to retain his position.
Second-It discloses a contemptuous
and deliberate indifference to the will or
preference Of the Republican voters in the
various parishes, and confines the selec-
ton of the delegates by trickery and fraud
to mercenary politicians holding office by
federal patronage.
Third-It reveals a deliberate attempt
on the part of President Grants APP
pointees to take from the Republican party
of Louisiana the right of political selec-
ton and insolently assumes that right to
themselves. 1t sets aside the will OF the
citizen and makes it subservient to the
will of the federal executive and his few
and scattered representatives in the State.
We make no issue with President Grant
on the policy Of his administration. 1t
may or may not be right, and may or may
not meet the approval of the Republican
voters of Louisiana. But we do challenge
his right to forestall the expression of that
will by trickery and fraud, and insolently
assume the right Of determining who shall
be their representatives in the selection OF
incumbents for State and district offices.
We think this opinion will be shared by all
honest and independent Republicans, who
are unwilling to transfer their right OF sui
frage. and their manhood even, to the
acknowledgements coalition.
If the Republican party of Louisiana
want John Ray or any one else for Gov
ernor, they will say SO in a fairly selected
convention, controlled and guided by the
usages of the party but We have mis-
Judged them if they willingly surrender
this right to the sycophant mendicants,
who pick and gorge upon the golden
crumbs thrown them by the President.
There is but one Republican party in
Louisiana. 1t is composed of men who
acknowledge fealty and give their adhe-
sion to its well established principles.
Neither power nor place can delude or be-
guile them. 1t is principles not men they
adhere to. The sacrifice Of President
Grant, or any any else, is as nothing to
the practical illustration of these princi-
pies, and the preservation of the country.
they have redeemed from anarchy and
misrule.