The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-05-03
THE LIBERAL PARTY.

have demonstrated to every candid
mind that the Democratic party of
the United States now occupies Con-
servative Republican ground as re-
, CARDS principals and public policy.
The reverse is not true-the Liberal
Republicans are not converts to
Democratic ideas. as some contend,
The Democratic party has none Of
those distinctive features, except
such as it had in common with all
friends Of constitutional government,
which gave it vitality in 1868 !;
while the other adheres to its an
Gent faith and has changed only in
meeting later issues, since 1860, the
year of MIR. Linco}n's first election
to the Presidency. Democratic prin-
ciples are therefore merged in those
of Liberal Republicanism-there is
nothing left Of them except what is
fully and clearly enunciated in the
Missouri resolution of 1872. The
Democratic name and prejudices
alone remain and these should not
be made the rallying cry for politi-
cal contest in which even the very
existence Of public liberty seems to
lie at stake.
We contend that, having embrac-
ed Liberal Republican principles and
policy, we should also adopt the new
name and fight under the new ban
net. Such concessions will be made
as justice and political expediency
demand, i'll proportion to numbers,
intelligence and influence. The COM
bination Of forces will form essen
tialy 81 new party, and old preju-
l}ices will not interfere with it's har-
mony as long as its principles form
a common bond Of union.
This has especial reference to Fed
eral politics, but is quite as apph-
cable to those OF the State. In Lou
isiana we find two wings Of the Re
publican party. One supports Gen.
Grant and ultra Radical measures
based upon quasi hostility to the
Southern white people. In State
policy, its tendency is very strongly
in the same direction, holding espe-
cially to those advanced IDEAS" to
be incorporated into penal statutes,
which are yet to complete the recon
struction Of the South. The other
is the Liberal wing of the party and
embraces whatever of conservatism
has existed in the Republican party.
It opposes Gen. Grant and ultra
Radical;s,n, and is willing, in mat
ters which affect the social relations
Of life, for time gradually to accom-
plish what ought not to he forced
suddenly and violently by penal
codes and statutes. In short it is
identified in principles and policy, on
abstract questions, with the Conser-
vative clement of the State. In any
combination Of forces, it is the only
party with which d union can be
made that will not be mere patch
work. Unfortunately for the preiu-
dices Of many heretofore identified
with the Democrat party, Gov. War
moth is the leader and central figure
Of this wing Of the Republican party
in the State Of Louisiana. To accept
the Liberal Republican programme
a'ready ri'1uoNy adopted By the Demo
racy Of the United States, is to accept
Gov Warmoth Us its head and from
in this State. Otherwise, the way te
political salvation is very plain, bu
the lion in the path prevents those
OF little faith from going forward tt
the little wicket gate beyond which
! the skies are bright.
AS for ourself, (and many others
we are glad to say,) the inevitable
combination Of forces has no terror.
for us. Gov. Warmoth has his faults
) it is true, but he is conservative ant
liberal. A union with him and hi
party is the only one which can re
, store anity and good feeling be
tween the two races, and merge into