New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-22
THE DEMOCRACY ON CIVIL RIGHTS.

1t may be fairly inferred from the posi-
ton Of the Bee, the recognized organ Of
the Democrats, that the civil rights law Of
the State and the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments to the federal constitution are
objects of special hostility to the Demo-
cratic party. In other words, should it
reach power, it will strive to expunge the
| civil rights law from the statute book. and
procure, if possible, the repeal of the
amendments to the national constitution.
The colored people, if this doctrine
should prevail, would be thrown back into
a condition Of almost absolute vassalage
and slavery. Their nominal freedom would
be delusion, without practical benefit, if
not curse.
This is the position of the Democratic
party, if We are allowed to interpret its
views by the declarations of its ablest ex--
ponent, the New Orleans Bee. Indeed, it
has the prestige Of previous campaign to
sanction it. in which the Democratic party
met its disastrous defeat in 1870. 1t is
not hostility to the colored people, says
the Bee that influences these impressions,
but simply belief that these Laws have
not been passed by constitutional forms,
and do not express the sense of majority
of the voters OF the State. The Democrats
want to live on terms Of amity with the
colored people, but as vassals, and not as
citizens. This We submit is fair inter
probation of its views. And yet, with this
declaration of principles boldly avowed,
the colored people are asked to assist in
the elevation of the Democrats to power.
The same coalition which was formed in
January is sought to be maintained
until November; for it is the same De-
mocracy which utters these sentiments
now that were united heart and soul,
month or SO ago, with insurrectionists,
seeking the overthrow of the State govern
ment.
They had then the same delusive catch J
words that they are employing now. Re |
|
eminent. Then as now they represented
Governor Warmoth as an enemy of the
State. Why? because they said he had Sc
cured the passage of unconstitutional laws.
They now tell us what these laws were.
Their chief objection to the Governor was
not because he had failed in any of the
obligations of an executive, but for the
simple reason that he recognized the civil
and political rights of the colored man,
and was instrumental in securing the pas
sage of laws that made them indeed and
in truth citizens of the State.
TIE aristocratic spleen Of the Demo-
cratic party has not been stirred against
Governor Warmoth SO much on account of
election and registration laws, as that his
signature approves the civil rights bill,
and that a Legislature upon his recon-
mendation, ratified the amendments to the
federal constitution. This was his fault.
If he had conspired to deprive the colored
people of their rights as citizens-had he
to have kept them in state of
have made them for all
line to come hewers of wood and drawers
If water-he would now have been the
0eau ideal of Democratic executive. But
because he refused to play a part so
reacherous and unmanIy; because his
sense Of right and justice refused to be
oafied by the intrigue and treachely Of
Democratic politicians, and because he
leld his high Office for the equal benefit
md interest Of all the citizens Of the State,
without distinction Of race or color, is
his Democratic opposition now so fierce
md unrelenting
But it will scarcely accomplish the pur-
,ose designed by its authors. The col
red people will not be deceived to their
wn undoing. The Bee has dispelled any
ceiling of Partially they may have had
or the Democratic party. There is moth
ng in its past history which can engage
heir esteem: it promises nothing for the
uture that can command their respect.