The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-04-03
The Relative Merits Of the TWO
Parties.

nr. are co-cXlstent With cohsViIu'ion"'
md representative government. They
ire the means by which the dIscordan1
elements of the body polite are united
and directed to one common end, the
nromotion of the material welfare OF
the people, to which all partizansh'p
should be subordinate.
Keeping these truths in view, ana
having no object but the redemption
of our State from its present deplorabie
we propose to discuss the
relative merits of the Democratic and
Reform parties, as means by which this
most desirable end may be accomplish
ed.
tits alledged by the advocates OF the
Reform party, that the Democratic par
tv represents minority of the voters
of the State, and that no portion OF the
colored population will coalesce with
it for any purpose, inasmuch as the ne
croes universally believe that lt mas
not only been identified with their sla-
very in the past, but is pledged to re-
mand them to that condition. Whilst
the Reform party pledging itself to an
honest administration Of public affairs
equally beneficial to both races
holding out to the negro the expecta-
ton of an equal PARTITION of the public
offices and compulsory social equality
and by it's name offering no salient
points of objection to his prejudices,
asserts that it can draw into it's ranks
a sufficient number of colored voters
to carry the State.
This is, we submit, fair statement
for all that is claimed for the Reform
party by it's most jealous adherents.
In our opinion these premesis are
each and all open to dispute, as not
only doubtful but as being gratuitous-
ly assumed, against all rational pro-
liability.
It is not true that the colored voters
in the State outnumbered the whites,
although it is acknowledged that War
moths fraudulent registration in con-
junction with the supine and criminal
Indifference of very large number OF
the white population-among whom
were our most respectable citi~ens-who
failed to register, gives color of truth
to this allegation.
Tho Reform party, in pledging itself
to inaugurate an honest administra
ton of public affairs, can claim no pre-
eminence over the Democratic party,
which has been working zealously fol-
years to accomplish the same end.
The Reform party holds out to the
negro, as an. indacement to join its
ranks, the allurements to Office, and the
destinations of a compulsory socia
equality.
The Democratic party, on the con-
trary, although recognizing without re
cognizing without reservation the pc
, litical and civil equality of the races
/ yet, in regard to the distribution of Of
} fees, it says to the colored population
"become members of our party-tha
: party which has for it's object the com
l mon interest of all, without distinc
+ ton of color, and you shall share tn
Offices in proportion to the adherent
a you bring into our ranks, and commes
= urate with your fitness in point Of ed
a ucation and intelligence"
s As to social equality, they max
g no delusive promises, holding it as a
: axiom that legislation can no more &C
:. complish it than it can change the law
y which govern the international nm
e verse. The Democratic party believe
n that no good but much evil will resu
d from endeavoring to overcome by lee
l. islation the distinction of race, an
d that any. attempt at legislation
II overcome this distinction can have Z
1t effectin removing it, but must assun
the form of persecution, fraught wit
uncomfortable evil in the future.
"a When the Radical Republicans off
social equality to the negroes they a
% not sincere, for they do not practice
>. except in few instances. There is I,
" such thing in the Northern States
se any where else as social equality. "
"a see then nothing but unmixed evil
Of the Reform party making promises
" either express or implied-to the &C
le ored population, which they cannot
~ the nature of things perform. 1t b
a unwisely pledged itself to make il
a. portant concessions, without deman
n ing an equivalent, or obtaining Sol
assurance from Republican leade
he that these sacrifices will secure tn,
or adherence to he new party, a
ga through their influence, tho accessi
H. of a large colored vote.
os AS an evidence of the success of Il
49, new party, it is said, and no dou
rs. truthfully that the Reform meetir
"a have been largely attended by I
nd most intelligent, wealthy and respe
able gentlemen of the communi
This is no subject of graduation, or
ng evidence of the success of the mo-
M ment, as it is fairly presumable Il
+ a every one of those gentlemen, had
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