New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-18

moi WlCU 9Uk0 IOK01W W WIG 1OO~A0 VI Uue
vhole0 people. but with intent to secure
special advantages to impOctunate interests
The broad principle laid down in the cal
for the Cincinnati convention, that needless
burdens shall not be imposed upon the PEG
ME. and q genuine tariff reform in accord
ance with that principle, will rid our eys
TEN of taxation of many of its creates,
abuses, and refusal to recognize this prin
ciple will not satisfy the demands of public
welfare or public opinion. Accustomed t.
look only at the ends to be accomplished
and to care little about the dangerous
means employed, the habits of war insen
siblS insinuated themselves into the prac
tees Of peace.
Look at the young men who were frou
ten to seventeen years old when the wal
broke out; they are now from twenty ont
to twenty eight, constituting one full thirt
of our voting population. What scboo
have they gone through! They have
scarcely ever seen or heard anything O.
the constitutional restraints Of power
What they have heard and seen was only
bold assumption and strong exercise O,
governmental authority. They were taught
to believe in its necessity, to submit to it
to aid it. That is the only tradition and
experience under which they have grown
up.
ouCh WClC lAO uutACS AL PoSAAS
upon the party in power after the close OF
the war-duties worthy Of the highest am
bition Of any organization OF patriotic men
They could be appreciated and fulfilled
only if the great objects to be accomplished
stood to those in authority above the allure
nents of power and the seduction OF selfish
party interest. IfthOse duties were not ap'
preciated and fulfilled, it becomes patriotic
citizens to look for means by which theiI
appreciation and fulfllment can be secured
without regard to mere party interest
And in this spirit speak to you; for the
great interests of the republic have always
been to me something higher than party al.
legiance. All were TO- bring about true
peace founded upon reconciliation, q return
of that cordiality Of feeling which alone can
hold this nation permanently together.
This great object could not be accomplished
by mere means of force. 1t demanded a
policy rising above all narrow-minded re-
sentiments; policy dictated by something
higher than partisan spirit.
THE DUTY OF AMNESTY.
There was Justification for restrictive
measures as long as the legitimate results
Of the war were not cOnstitutionally as
sured Then that justification ceased, and
we, the viotOrs in the great civil conflict,
were called upon,, by all considerations OF
patriotism and political wisdom, to make
the Southern people feel that in all our
measures of war and policy we had been
guided bv the necessities Of the State, and
not by feelings of resentment or vindictive-
ness; that we desired to be to them not
naughty cOnquerors, but sincere and we'll
meaning friends, that they might see in the
flag OF the republic not the symbol of de-
feat and degradation, but the symbol of
rights and protection equally guaranteed to
them as to all others; that they might feel
once more the pride and patriotic inspira-
tons Of full American citizenship.
A general amnesty 1.-THE removal Of politi-
cal disabilities) was demanded mot as q meas
ure Of mere sentimental generosity, but as
a measure of the plainest political wisdom.
Years have elapsed since the results of the
war were fortified with impregnable consti-
tutiOnal guarantees, and the general am
nesty has not been granted yet Down to
this very day large and influential class
of citizens in the South are still told that
the public interest, as it is administered by
popular self.gOvernment, is no business Of
theirs, and that this great republic is no
republic Of equal rights for them; down to
this very day the jealousy of the races is
still nourished by the fact that many, and
by no means the unwOrthiest, white. men
are deprived of political rights and privi-
e,
enjoys: down to this very day the work Of
the adventurer and demagogue, who specu
lates upon the ignorance of his followers, is
corruption, robbery and demon
alization are fOstered, the return of good
and honest government is impeded, cheer
full and general acceptance and develop
ment of the new order of things is prevented
in the South by that narrow minded policy
which excludes from public employment
and repels from friendly cooperation large
class of men who have SO great an interest
in an honest and successful administration
Of public affairs.
PRETENSES CONCERNING AM
NFsTY.
1t is true that the President. in his last
message, said q good word for amnesty.
But we find his most trusted and powerful
friends, his lOudest spokesman, throwing
every possible obstacle in it's way, and We
have to hear yet of the rstinstance when
the most OutspOken enemy of this most nee
essary measure was therefore treated and
considered as an opponent of the admins
,ratiOn. And on every possible occasion the
I'D battle-cries of the civil war are revived
oy them as the watchwOrds Of our present
political contests; old prejudices and resent
nents are kept alive as a stock of political
capital, to be used for party advantage, and
Ill this to secure the reelection of the same
President who first appeared in political
ite as candidate for the highest hO2Ors Of
lie republic with the faintest promise Of
peace on his lips. and whose word for am
lesty is this day drowned by the vociferous
protests of his most Jealous friends.
Are we thus to palter in double sense :
with the highest interests of the republic
Is this measure Of peace and reconciliation
% become the subject Of thimble- rigging
uggery. playing the game, NOW you see
t, and now you do nOt!" Is this the man.
Ter in which we are to bind to us with new
,onds of cOrdiality the late enemies whom
We want to become patriotic citizens again!
Jan we thus gain their friendship and con-
idence Is this worthy of the great Re-
publican party of which we were 80 proud
Not those who think as do can be parties
o such hooking performance. We want
N honest and straightforward policy, and
those who shape the conduct Of the party
will not give it, then our duty as honest
nen commands us to seek it where it can
re found.
The close Of the civil war imposed
mother duty upon us. Republican gov
and the free institutions upon
1hich it rests, find their strongest bulwark
4 constitutional principles and forms faith
nlly maintained and religiously observed.
10 republic can stand, no popular liberty,
o personal right, is secure when the
overs of government are left without re-
traint to the whims Of those who WELD
hem. l admit that in times of extreme
ublic danger an extraordinary exercise Of
ower may be necessary. as the Romans |
ut the republic m the hands of a dictator
Shen the enemies were at their gates.
'ut even this can not be done without |
'reat danger. 1t will soon create the habit |
i arbitrary assumptions Of power on one |
lde, and the habit Of thoughtless acqui- |
sence IN arbitrary assumptions on the |
liner; 1t is thus that republics are under |
nlned and perish in the decentralization of |
popular sentiment.
LOOK at our recent history and the |
resent condition of orr off WILL. a..