New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-16
TAKTNe SHAPE.


TAKING SHAPE,
Through the nebulous condition of the
political world of Louisiana, at the pres
ent moment the eye of prophesy can dis
Germ the workings of the various elements
that compose the body polite, and foresee
the inevitable result.
The Democratic party, as a party, is SO
loaded with the debris of past political
blunders, into which it was led by blind
ness or obiquity of vision almost unpar-
aleled in the history of parties, and SO
hopelessly in the minority, that it can
hardly be reckoned as an independent
actor in the approaching strife, though it
undoubtedly has power as make weight.
The new soi-disdnt Reform party ushered
into life with such a salvo of trumpess, as
the appointed savior of poor, down-trod-
den, tax-oppressed Louisiana, has already
dwindled to puny thing, powerless, ex-
cept for speech-making, and of that our
State has not yet stood in need. The Gus
tomhouse clique flor it does not rise to the
dignity of partly, pulled up by the pres
tige of Presidential patronage, claims to
have under its control the whole colored
population, which it seeks to array against
the white population without regard to the
political sentiments of large proportion
of the latter, whose republicanism is above
question. This impudent assumption,
and the unwise and unpatriotc project
based thereupon, will infallibly meet the
rebuke which it deserves; for the colored
people are too shrewd not to SEQ that d.
vision of parties, based wholly on color,
must sooner or later be fatal tp their in
terests, as it would likewise be prejudicial
to those of the white race, the best inter
ests of both races forbidding the existence
of either a white mans party pr black
mans party, but hberalizing and blending
of the two elements, SO that the govern
ment (that is the people,, may enjoy the
benefits to be derived from each, The
sound sense and instructive patriot
ism of the Masses must be
supplemented by the wealth and in
telligence of the few in the distribution
of the burdens attending the administra-
ton of the government. 1t is unjust and
unwise to impose the whole weight of the
responsible duties Of legislation, as well as
the ministerial and judicial trnsts arising
Hereunder upon the unframed and mex
perienced The true interest of the col
ored population is to be on friendly terms
with their white fellow-citizens; to inform
themselves as thoroughly as possible upon
the political questions submitted to their
decision, as we'll as to that of the highest
and most learned in the land, and to make
their choice according to the hest of their
judgment; acting like men a nd freemen,
not blindly rushing after leader like a
flock of sheep Their right tb vote and to
hold Office like all other citizens is no
longer a subject of dispute. All parties
are agreed upon that subject. Even the
rankest Democrat does not dream of ques-
tioning it.
Thus parties in Louisiana are gradually
taking shape, the sOi-diSqnt Reformers
making bombastic speeches. to which no
body listens; the Customhouse clique
turning their backs upon their white fell
low-citizens, and calling out desperately
to the colored ones, ''You know us, come
boost us up !" the Democrats having aban-
doned the old stOrm-battered hull which
they had first lightened by throwing over
board her cargo of rubbish, standing aloof
watching and waiting, while the Liberal
Republicans, devoted to the best interests
of the community and the country at
large strong in the soundness of their
principles, and happy in the selection Of
their candidates, confidently invite their
fellow-citizens, of ali classes, colors, and
callings, to join them in the great effort
they propose to make for the good of the
State and the country.