New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-08-07
pn1rTBD woods OF WISDOM.

ever seen from the great Massachusetts
Senator. We were hardly prepared for
such sharp language from the renowned
scholar and statesman. In reply to what
Blaine evidently intended as a reflection
upon the character of Mr.. Summers new
political associates, Mr.. Speaker receives
the following broad5ide:
You are greatly concerned about the
company keep. To quiet your sohcltude,
| beg leave to say, that in joining the fe-
pubiicans who brought forward an original
ab0litionist, / find myself with so many
others devoted to the cause / have served
ALWAYS that / had not missed you until you
FASTENED to report your absence; nor had 1
taken account Of the Southern secessionists
who, as you aver. are now cooperating
with me in the support OF TINS oilSlhaI
abolitionist, except to rejoice that II, among
former associates, some like yourself hest
tate, their places are supplied III an unex-
pected quarter.
That is, he does not desert the princi-
pies Of a lifetime because 3Ir. BLAINE is
missed from the accustomed counsels, nor
think them any the less right because
they attach to them men who have for
merly opposed them. Mr.. Blaine is an
ant illustration Of the truth that men
change, but principles are eternal. And
the accession Of men who have heretofore
been known as secassionists to the great
cause which is now spreading over the
Union are alike creditable to the new con
verts and Strengthening to the movement.
Weak men, who desert their own camp
because their late enemies come into 1t
with olive branches in their hands, Will
always find their places filed by recruits
from quarters unexpected by them.
Our own history is a case in point We
have now springing up all oveI the State
a new party, called the Liberal, which is
composed Of men who have grown weary
of the bare-piclled bone which has for SO
many years caused contention. The Lib
erals come together with the understand
ing that what has been settled is no longer
"a subject Of dispute, and should not be
changed unless demanded by circum-
stances that may hereafter arise. The
American people (and by the term we
mean every legal voter, are determined to
show to the world that they are capable Of
self-government That seven years is long
enough for the settlement Of the little side
issues of the war, especially as the main
questions were decided by the war itself
As we can not recall the past, we should
live for the future. We have enough be-
fore us to engros5 all our care and call
into requisition all our political wisdom,
without tarrying on the highway Of time
to argue old questions, long since disposed
Of and bring up old quarreIs that should
long since have been amicably adjusted.
A mere reference to the errors Of the past,
with a view to avoid them, is proper and
allowable, and we have enough for
the purpose. One Of these IS
want of unity among the people,
which the Liberal party can correct if
those who are now entrusted with its des-
TIMES viii act with wisdom. There have
been obvious defects in the legislation of
the State during the past four years, These
require instant reform. But by pursuing
the course that brought the evils upon US
they will not be cured but perpetuated.
The class that represents the wealth, in
teIIigence and practical experience in
craftsmanship held aloof from afiliation
with majority Of the voters in 1868 and
1870, and lost the battle. They were too
proud to lay aside their prejudices and ac-
cept the aid Of negro votes and too I'M
wise to give to the race. they tainted with
inferiority any share in the hOnors or
emoluments Of Office. Thus prejudice
ruled the day, and swayed the minds Of
men celebrated for fairness and good
sense in nearly every other relation Of life
The Liberal party is not founded upon
any Of the old prejudices. 1t rather seeks
to correct them. . And to obtain the power
to do so, or indeed to do anything at all,
they must nominate men that can COM
mand the confidence Of a large number Of
the coIored people for without their aid
no ticket can be successful. We must
initiate the statesmen Of the nation III this
respect. We must first remove the evil,
GranGsm, in order to make room for the
new system. In this State we must first
get rid of our prejudices, and then come
unity and strength. We must first secure
the control of affairs before we can make
or change single law. How are we to
do this BY rejecting the strongest men
who offer their cooperation? Rather by
accepting influence wherever it is posi-
bic, and selecting candidates who have
the most friends. The Liberal movement
Of itself a certain number Of
votes, but not enough to carry the State,
unless they place man at the head Of
their ticket who can depend upon the
support Of the white Republicans and a
large number of colored. voters. The
of such q candidate should be
left to the Liberal Republican delegates in
the convention, as they are the most likely
to know their strongest man. And then,
when we find old Democrats eX-secession-
lists and all men Of the various antagon-
stic political opinions rallying around our
candidate, we viii initiate Mr.. Sumner,
and rejoice that the places OF those re
sreant Republicans who are bound to
Gran ism are supplied in an unexpected
quarter