New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-10
OnR FIFTH Anniversary.

supplving a great need by many an
earnest. patriotic heart. Hitherto the
very word Republican, in party
sense, had hardly been used in this city,
the term Union man" being the far
thest that most folks were willing to go.
This title, however, had lost its signif-
canoe, having been assumed by many who
still chung to the Union as it was before
the war, and who repudiated all love for
it in its regenerated state. Some more
definite name was, therefore. required to
identify the supporters of the government
and the constitution as modified b. the
results of the war; and what better could
have been assumed for this purpose than
that Of the great party which had led the
nation triumpbantly through the Red
Sea Of the rebellion into the
Canaan of freedom =? Accordingly we
chose the name REPUBLICAN,, and thus
formally initiated the organization Of the
Republican party Of this State. 10 char
acterize our reception by our contempora-
ries and by a large proportion OF the read
ing community as unfriendly would be to
understate the truth. 1t was more-lt was
positively hostile. No merchant, except
here and there al avowed Republican,
would dare to brave public censure 10y
permitting our journal to be seen in his
counting ROOM no family, a few Of the
same sort excepted, would admit it to the
fireside. Even the newsboys dared not
offer it for sale, having been forbidden to
do so by the proprietors Of the Bourbon
on pain Of being debarred
from tie privilege Of selling theirs. The
principles it advocated were denounced as
absurd and imprac!icable in themselves,
and in their tendency subversive of the
Of this section of the country A
large proportion of our constituency was
as hopelessly unfit by nature for
even the requirements Of self-support, and
necessarily wholly unequal to the duties
and responsibilities of citizenship. In
short, We were held up to public odium as
the enemies of our State and people Of
the overt acts of hostility and violence
threatened against US, but not carried out,
owing to prudential considerations, We
will not here speak. Suffice it to say that
no journal ever had birth under more I'M
favorable auspices, and that had it not
been for the earnest, patriotic hearts men
toned above, and for the consciousness Of
the business of our cause, strength
to struggle against opposition SO
bitter and so resolute, would have
surely failed. Upheld, however, as we
were by this consciousness and by these
few but ardent supporters we per,evered,
and now, behold the result Our para
ioxical principles have become axioms.
Negro citizenship, in the highest sense of
the term, is recognized even by leading
Democrats as the logical result of ante
cedent political events. The existing consti-
tuition in whose adoption We were greatly
is in itself a triumph of Re
publican principles which may well in
spire self-gratulation, while the general
diffusion of elementary education among
the working classes Of our people Of both
races, when compared with the Zimmerman
darkness which formerly prevailed, can
not but meet the approval Of all thinking
men. Even in the matter Of internal i'm
in which our State was here
-otore so backward, and which We have
50 strenuously and persistentlv advocated,
here has been, within the last few years,
marked progress. The railroad 70 Texas,
which has SO long been a desidecatum to
his State is so far advanced that another
ear will see its completion, while shorter
mes. connecting important commercial
points throughout the State, are progress
ng satisfactorily.
50 much for the public prosperity which
We have helped to produce. AS for our
elves, suffice 1t to say that the REPUB-
lean is now established on firm basis,
laving most satisfactory subscription
ist, host OF advertising patrons, and adj
mission into the most conservative count
ng-houses and the most fastidious
antilles. Ia fact, it is now the first paper
which Dqter fomIins call for in the morn
ng: and a glance at ito columns frequently
,recedes even the first sip Of the matin
up, while the pcrusal of its Bourbon
iyals is postponed to a more convenient
easOn, and not seldom omitted altogether.
How has this great change from neglect
nd opprobrium to appreciation and favor
'een produced? Simply by adherins as
losely as possible to the plan marked out
or ourselves in the beginning as that wor-
by our position and the political doctrines
which we represent By never intention
lily abusing the power of the press to up
lold wrong, or to pander to popular pre-
udice, but rather by trying to make it. as
ar as in us lies, Il fountain of truth and
moral influence" 10y taking our stand
lpon high and good principles, asserting
hem boldly in the face of all opposition;
irving to carry them out by every lawful
means in our power; despi5ing alike the
elnpting offers of those who would mis-
cad us, and the threats of those who
would terrify;" and finally, by ''acllnowl-
dying no allegiance to any power bit
ustice.' If in the clashing Of party con-
lict, in which We have necessarily been
Injustice to individuals has oc-