New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-24
PIE REAL ISSUE


The oppositionists, Greeley and Brown
ties, Conservatives, fusionists, or what
ever else they call themselves they
have different names in different locali-
ties-are endeavoring to make political
capital out OF the doctrine of peace, recon
Citation, amnesty, a general oblivion Of
all the painful recollections. connected
with the recent war. Good psinciples,
these; sound in politics and morals, but
by no means newly no means peculiar
to the supporters Of Nj. Greeley. They
have been advocated in these columns
ever since the close of the war; not as i'm
mediately practicable, but as desirable to
be cultivated diligently, and put in prac-
tice as soon as possible. Desirable, how
ever, as they are, peace and oblivion Of
former differences between the opposing
sides in a civil war are not to be obtained
by formulas. Only in the course Of time
are they reached by the springing up Of
new interests il a settled state Of society,
wherein the defeated party shall have no
hope Of obtaining their ends through fresh
disturbances, and the victorious no provo
cation to secure their advantage by undue
severity. A sore can not be disregarded
while it is raw, but when new, clean skin
has been formed over it, the healthy man
goes on his way, thinking no more Of ito
The cure is effected much more quickly
when the hurt is quietly left alone than
when constantly uncovered and irritated.
It is now nearly eight years since the
close of the war, during which, period Of
time the country has been governed in the
main by Republican principles. Mgo john"
sons reactionary policy ha ing been simp.
ly an unsuccessful struggle against wind
and tide. For the last four years the efforts
Of the Republican party in regard TO the
South have been ezerted in favor of peace
and reconciliation 9 not upon the low
ground Of yielding principle for peace
sake; not in that pusillanimous temper
which consists in lying down to be trods
len upon, but in the spirit Of statesmano
ship which establishes law and order Upon
4 basis 50 firm and principles So just that
obedience is simply prudence and a
cheerful submission to oconstituted author.
ty, the dictate of enlightened self-interest.
There is, therefore no issue between the
party and the opposition on
he subject of peace between the two secs
ions of the country. That peace is already
Neither is there issue on that
If amnesty for those still disfranchGsed for
heir offenses against the country Amo
lesty has lately been so far extended that |
he exceptional cases are insignificant; and |
he same party that has extended this
race will unquestioDably complete the
God work in due time. Thevery fact that
Ir. Greeley can travel safely in the Southo I
nd invite the ex-chieftains Of the lost
ause and their followers to support him !:
Or the Pres9dency-Rimo lifelong Rec I
publican and promoter Of all the strongest |
Of the Republican partJ'-is ow.
ng to the wisdom and moderation with !!
which that party has Used its power: aided I
y that gradual modification IN public |
eminent for which time IS indispensable. !
t is said that Louis XIV acquired his |
Military rehown by delaying his appear
nee on the field of battle until victory
as assured Thus his generals did the
,ork but he got the gloryo So now that
le present Administrations has Jed
ne South into a condition where
peace and good fellowship are not only
ossible but almost certain: Mr.. Greeley
cps in as the champion of these princie
les, claiming the support of the North OH
count of the past victories of the Re-
ublican party and that Of the South on
count Of the advantages which those
ctories have made possible. But peo-
e can not be thus fooled; and the people
the United States, North and South,
low well the party to whose measures
ey owe the condition of comparative
'"C0 d4d PIOSPGI4uJ WHICH IutS uOH
Joy. AS for the hberality Of the oppo-
ion movement, which seems to be a !
lingness on the part Of distinguished
epublican to be elected by the help of
votes there is certainly no
ue here between the opposing candi-
ties; General Grant, we make bold to
irm, being quite as willing to receive
votes as Mr. Greeley can pos.
,ly be. The real question at issue, then,
ans to be this: VIII the country com.
t the guidance of its destinies for the
zt four years to the true national Re
blican party, springing from the loyal
ion of patriots North and South, OF to a
stard party, born Of fraud and fraiItys
owned by its Democratic father. dis
ming its Republican mother-a thing
5hout name, without a record, with {
definite principles; its origin doubt l.
, its objects questionable its protested i
Il negation? v
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE, A
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