New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-07
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
Proof of Bourbon CompEicity-Defeat-
Progressive BemOcracy-ExeOm muni

| L tbdl SCN ~ INC DpI4l DOIIos 4IOV Ol1y OppOSi
ton to civil rights, school, constabulary
and election laws, all of which were neces
sary in an emergency to secure the rights 0.
the citizen, but also completely with anG
responsibility for the evil legislation which
has disgraced the State. Since its publica
ton, have read copy Of the address OF
the central commissioners of the Reform
| party to the. people of Louisiana, signed by
| Charles A. Breaux, Daniel bennett, E. Lee
franc, William NJ Burwel1, C. Ward, E. N.
Cnllom and t. Bailly Blanchard, and issued
in 1870 That address cites as a necessity
for an independent reform organization:
4, A fragrant corruption in every part Of
the State and municipal governments, i'm
puted indiscriminately to both the political
parties which have occupied authority.
Further on:
The abuses complained of are chiefly per-
petrated by rapaci0us Adventures and
Southern renegades; the one acting in the
name and upon the perverted authority Of
the cOlOred people, the other protesting an
equally unwarranted and counterfeit au-
tLority from the Democratic party. This
combination has made o raid upon the
State and city treasury which people of
Louisiana have had no bower to resist. As
this infamous coalition involves The charac-
ter and credit of all who love order, who
pay taxes, its defeat will require the cor
dial union of all, without regard to past
party or personal consideration.
The gentlemen who signed that address
stand among the first in the State in brain
and talent. They saw at that early date
the blunders and errors of the Bourb0ns.
They knew that Bourbon policy was disas-
trous, and hence ley rebelled from its
lead, and endeavored to form new party
in harmony with the true condition of
affairs. Their efforts may have been i'll
timed, in advance of public sentiment, or
behind it, but nevertheless it is interesting
to note that it failed because of Bourbon
ascendency in Conservative circles, and the
final result was defeat Of the Democratic
party in 1870 by handsome majority. How
about fusion in 1872
Before the assembling of the Baltimore
convention, we witnessed another rebellion
from Bourbon lead in the Reorganization
of the Reform party. The Democracy of
this State was shaken to the core, as sorely
as their brethren of the Republican party.
Two conventions met, Bourbons and Re
formers; committees of conference were ap-
pointed Reformers commended for higher
policy, but Bourbons hesitated and still
g hankered after the flesh pots of Egypt"
and. both conventions adjourned in disgust
and in despair. Then followed question
able proceeding on the part Of the State
the united State ticket was
born, based on the policy of 1868 and 1870
a policy promising One-half the voters of
the State-the negroes-a recognition of
their rights, yet actually granting them no
security for the pledge. The work of the |
committees was commended by the Bour- |
oons only, who, with John McEnery, for |
Governor, B. F. Jonas, Lieutenant Gov |
ernor, r. II. Lusher, Superintendent of I
Public Education, and ]. B. Eustis, Con-
at large, obtained lions share
Of the compact, and it was heartily opposed |
oy the progressive portion OF the Democ-
'acy, who we're ready to confront the issues
If 1879 on the Cincinnati platform.
Governor Warmoth, true to the conserYa-
i've policy which has characterized his en-
ire administration and his convictions,
etting aside his personal ambition, cut
Dose from the administration wing of the
party and gathered around him
he nucleus of the Liberal movement in
Louisiana. Men Of all parties speedily re-
ponded, and the Democratic ranks were
depleted to an extent which augured well
or the future. Democracy in a majority of
he country parishes wasreduced to shreds;
hitting with the Liberals were men whom
Democracy had most loved and honored.
after Baltimore and the acceptance of the
cincinnati platform, the Bourbons pre-
ended to accept it, in letter and spirit,
2hile at the same time they vented their
pleen and venom upon the young Liberal
arty. Every charge originated in the hot
lood of 1865 or by Auditor Wickliffe on
he defensive and the gossip Of bar rooms,
7as reproduced in the onslaught upon War
10th and his "tools," as progressive Demo
rats were respectfully styled. This course
as insulting alike to Liberal Republicans
nd Liberal Democrats, and it was contin-
ed up to the day of the assemblage of the
LIBERAL convention.
ExamTo the rolls Of that body and you
i'll find upon it the names of the most il
strious and distinguished advocates of
emocracy, and these men represented ma
rites which had seeded from the Demo
attic party. The Bourbons expressed no
of Cancellation; the -Picayatne for
ally communicated from the ranks of
onest men all who should affiliate with
yarmoth, and an attitude Of defiance was
aintained for the purpose Of whipping
aggressive Dem ocracy into the Bourbon
nts.
The Liberal convention used every hon
able effort to effect Cancellation, but the
lplacable spirit Of the Bourbons was main
ined, and the convention adjourned with l
tience almost exhausted. The Liberal t
ovement had struck the chords of public q
mpathy, 1t was only necessary to stand q
N on a generous declaration of princI- g
es, and accept as standard bearers repre- L
NATIVE and impartial men, and its sue 0
IS would have been a forgone conclusion.
10 Bourbon influence caused the Liberals
recede and excuse the presence of War q
9TH, when they knew him to be the ablest
rty leader in the State. 1t afterward ex-
nded its meshes around the Liberal COM
ttee until, in high-toned fit of gener- :
Ity, they surrendered their party, and q q
wed to the beh6st of the Bourbons--
rev away the labor of 1872, and returned :