New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-10-22
TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE,

1t has been accepted by the Repub-
licans in New Orleans that the elections
next month will result favorably TO Grant
and Kellogg We have assisted in Great
ing this belief, not by any direct assertion
to that effect on our part, but by argu-
ments showing what ought to be the re-
suit if the ballots are properly cast and
honestly counted We have majority IN
the State, and it is proper to claim that
this majority will give us the victory, pro-
vided it is delivered as it should and prob
ably will be- We are profoundly I'M
pressed with the conviction that this pc
lief Of its strength has actually become
matter of serious danger to the Repub-
lican party. Big armies have been de-
feated by too great consciousness Ct
superiority, and the weakest men have
won their easiest victories by being more
vigilant and active than their. giant enc
mics
The Republican party is made up Of
volunteers who are at liberty to quit the
camp whenever they take notion SO to
do There is no law that will force an
honest Republican to vote for dishonest
nominee; and since this is the case, the
party that is in a majority before its con
vention has acted may be in minority
after that event, because Of the weakness
Of its candidates. Some selfish men do
not seem to appreciate this fact, but put
themselves in q condition to beat their
friends because they will insist Oh being
beaten themselves.
As we said, the belief in the success of
the State ticket has made the Republicans
over sanguine, and our local convention,
thinking that it had nothing to do but 70
ensure its own welfare, has allowed itself,
in a few cases, to neglect the duty Of
strengthening the general nominations,
which was the most important object it
it was expected to accomplish. Suppose
the country parishes disappoint our ez-
pectations, as they may do, in regard to
giving the Republican ticket that
majority they are relied upon to giveit,
an adverse majority in the city, quickened
and enlarged by unpopular local
nominations, may turn the entire
State over to the opponents Of the
Republican party. Is not the posi-
bility of such result as this sufficient to
deter the convention from responding to
the selfish demands of men who seek to
secure their own ends at the risk Of putting
in peril the entire party?
The possibility Of carrying the munich
pal election is based upon the suggestion
that the Republicans will cast their entire
vote in favor Of the ticket, and that by
the force of popular nominations, and the
fact that the opposition is divided, We can
gain sufficient strength from the non
partisan population to elect our nominees.
This embraces three propositions: first,
our own surely; secondly, the distraction
Of the opposition, and thirdly, che popu-
larity Of our ticket. All Of these three
facts must conspire in our favor, and our
convention has the control Of the entire
programme. If it makes bad selections
it will distract the Republican party, it
will unite the opposition, and it
will drive the non-partisap voters
to the best ticket If we do not meet the
requirements of the hour the Republican
r,or+yr will have o very heavy contest To
make, and the result may be disastrous,
not only locally, but generally. # We do
meet the necessities Of Ghe time our sue
cess is insured, and the vQte Of the city
may be required TO save the State to Grant
and Kellogg It is apparent, then, chat
the Republican convention must act with
great prudence in making its remaining
selections, for it has strained its general
capital to the last point that the interests
Of the party will allow