The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-08-10

knowledged Republicans, many Of whom
have acted with the party from its first
formation, and, who, without previous
organization, came together vOluntari-
ly for the sake of reform and purity in
the government, while on the other
hand the convention at Philadelphia
was composed of delegates chosen large
ly under the
INFLUENCE OF OFFICE-HOLDERS
who, assembled to sustain what is known
as Grantism, being the personal govern
ment and pretentiOns Of President
Grant, involving nepOtism, repayment
of gifts by official patronage, neglect of
public duty, absenteeism, military rule,
disregard Of the constitution and laws,
with general untitness, and i'll dignity to
the cOlOred race, all of which is so
Ilnrepublican as to make hissuppOrt inl-
possible by true Republicans therefore
the Convention held at Philadelphia,
calling itself Republican, was less Re-
publican than that held at Cincinnati.
The two platforms, so far as concerns eS-
pecially the cOlOred race, are alike in
substance, but that of Cincinnati is ex-
pressed in terms of the most worth of
EQUAL RIGHTS.
1t states and claims that we recognize
the equality of all men before the law,
and holds that it is the duty Of the Gov
ernment in its dealings with the people
to mete out equal and exact justice to
all, Of whatever nativity, race, color or
persuasion, religious or political. In
other respects the Cincinnati platform
is the most Republican, inasmuch as it
sets itself against those unrepublican
abuses which have been nmsed by the
President into perniciOus activity.
From the two nominations and the
two platforms, | come to the supporters
of the candidates. And here | look first
at those Immediately about them, and
secondly at the popular vote behind.
Horace Greeley has among his imme-
diate supporters, in all parts of the cOln-
try,
DEVOTED AND CONSISTENT REPUBLICANS,
always earnest for reform and purity
in the government, and upon whose
lives there is no shadow Of suspicion
being a contrast in the character OF
those rings which play such a part in
the present administration. The cOun-
try knows too well of the military ring
through which the President acts. Such
supporters are a very poor recOmmen-
datiOn. Looking at the popular sup
port, the advantage is still with Horace
Greeley. President Grant has at his
back a diversified army of ce-holders
and
MEMBERS OF RINGS.
Horace Greeley finds tlOcking to his
support large numbers of Republicans
unwilling to continue the existing mis-
rule and as allies with them, a regene.
rated party, which comes forward tC
unite in the Liberal movement. The
Democrats in joining Horace Greeley
have changed simply as President Grant
changed when he joined the Republi
cans, except that he was rewarded al
once with high office. The change is
open, adopting the Republican platform
which places equal rights of all under 3
safeguard Of irreversible guarantees
and at the same time accepting the nom.
inatiOn OF lifelong AbOlitiOnist, who
represents, pre-eminently, the senti
ment of duty to the cOlOred race. They
have set their corpOrOrate seal to th(
sacred covenant, They may continue
Democrats in name, but they are il
reality Republicans, by the same title
that those who sustain Republican prin
ciples are Republicans or rather they
are Democrats according to the Origina
signification of that twOrd-dedicated tt
the .--- . - .ssa. ...a..
RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.
1t is lille to say that Horace Gree1e,
and the Republicans that nominated
him are less Republican because thu
Democrats unite with them in supper
of cherished principles and the candi
date who represents them. COnver
sions arc always welcome, and not les
so because the change is in the multi
tude other than an individual. A pc
litical party cannot if it would, ani
should not if it could, shut the doc
against converts, whether. converted by
the score, hundreds or thousands. 81
we find that the supporters of Presiden
Grant announce with partisan triumph
the adhesion of a single Democratic pol
itician, or a single Democratic newspa
per with equal reason and with highe
pride may supporters of Horace Gree
ley announce the adhesion Of one who
turning from things that are behind
presses on to those that are before. /
is also idle to say that the election O
Horace Greeley as President with Graft
Brown as Vice President, will be the re
turn Of the Democratic party to power
On the contrary it will be the Inaugural
ton of
REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES,
under the safeguard of Republican
President and Republican Vice Presi
dent, with Democrats as ayaWed sup
porters. In the organization Of his al
nlinistratiOn and in the conduct O
affairs, Horace Greeley will naturall,
lean upon those who represent best thu
great promises made Ofequal rights an(
reconciliation at Cincinnati. If Demo
Gratis are taken, it will be as Republican
in heart, recognizing the associate term
of settlement as an irreyersible finality
The hardihood of political falsehoOt
peaches IT'S extreme point when it is as
serted that Under Horace Greeley tll,
freedmen will be enslayed, Or that tht
e0lOred people viii in any way suffer il
their equal rights. On the contrary
they will have i'm his election not onI,
the promises made III the Cincinnati
platform, but also splendid eXampl,
for a full generation during which h
has never wavered in his assertion o
his rights. 70 suppose that Horae4
Greeley, when placed where he can d,
them most good, win depart from tn
rule of honest life is an .s. -.-.a.
INSULT TO REASON.
It is none the less idle to suppose tha
Democrats supporting Horace Greele,
expect or desire that he should depar
from those principles which are th,
glory of his character. They have ac
cepfed the Cincinnati platform, with it
tWo-fOld promises, and intend in goOt
faith to maintain it. Democrats can
not turn back who at the Convention
adopting this platform, sang Greele,
songs to the tune of Old John Brown
his sotif is marching on.n Seeking es
pecially an establishment of cllaracte
III the national government, they viii
expect their President to be always tru
to himself, theTefore I pnt aside part