New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-14
OLD PARTY LINES.


more the agitation of politicians than
stir among the masses 1t has never been
an easy thing to efface party lines. Nor
is it surprising, in view of the fact, that
ambitious aspirants for Office are ever on
| the Q,,i rire to devise some scheme by
which they may reach place and power.
| They are Indifferent to the means en-
| ployed, so they suffice for the end in view.
But as nearly every imaginable pretext has
! been used to achieve their ambition, it be-
hooves them now to employ novelty.
And SO they have. This new device is
the destruction Of party lines A political
panacea has been discovered which cures
all the ills of government. on the simple
principle of putting out present ineum
bent5 and filling the State and municipal
Offices with new aspirants
But as the abstract and naked PROPOSE
ton would certainly alarm the masses OF
the Republican party, if not a large
majority Of the Democratic party, the
duplicity of the movement is hid under
the pretext Of reform in the abuses OF
government Under this ample cloak, ali
of the old party hacks, who since the war
have sustained defeat after defeat IN their
eager scramble fer Office, are alrayed in
slittering reform panoply, and have come
forth as valiantly as knights templar in
the crusade for power. Even the Demo-
cratic champions, who have held their
party fealty as scarcely less sacred than
their religion have, under the impulse of
a grand infusion of patriotism, sunk their
distinctive political characteristics, and
| even confess willingness to become the
| political Luthers Of the new reformation.
The Republican party has also its repre-
sentatives among them. They are men
| who have been found unwise and incom
petent as leaders, and have been pushed
aside by the talent and address of their
rivals The ''vine and fig trees of office
no longer cast shade for them. The fu-
ture in the Republican party is hopeless of
Office, bankrupt of position. Therefore,
in sadness and contrition Of heart, they
have become reformers Oh the plan of
effacing all party lines.
Just as revolutions sometimes throw to
the surface of society the lees and refuse
matter that befoul its moral sewers they
hope to lie cast up by the agitation of po-
litical elements. It is their only chance of
distinction.
But what reason has been offered for
this condition of things? Admit that there
are abuses that need to be corrected. Is not
an organized party better able to cure
these errors than any combination of indi-
viduals, solely united by the hope of Office.
The breaking down Of party lines and
the establishment of reform party was
never thought of until the Democratic Or
ganization was shown to be unable to cope
with the Republican party. 1t was not
reform doctrines that were preached by
Democratic orators two years ago, but
their old creed and long established prin-
ciples. Unable to obtain Office as Demo-
cratic candidates, these men throw up
their hands and say: well, let Us etface
our party lines, and all go in together.
You Republicans have introduced abuses
into politics, and we Democrats are going
to turn reformers and correct them"
This is the practical effect Of what they
say. AS Democrats they can not beat us;
but as reformers they can quiet Repub-
lican opposition, and effect their purpose
by q snare and delusion.
To this condition Of things the Repub-
lican party can have but one position. 1t
is not opposition to the reform movement
but opposition to the Democratic elements
that are seeking it as disguise to further
a Democratic control of the State. The
Republican party is in favor Of reforming
every abuse but it wants to do it in its
party, and as Republican measure. The
Republicans claim to have first recognized
the necessity of it. The Governor himself
took the initial step in it; his friends in
the Legislature indorsed it, and those who
opposed it are the very men who are now
the fercest reformers in the Democratic
coalition.
Let us push forward reform; but let US
do it as Republicans and as Republican
measure