New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-13
THE thinkers,

THE Thinkers.
The thinkers who patched up for this
State what is pompously styled " the
United State ticket, must have skunk
away in shame on Wednesday night when
the people turned out in their might and
majesty to express their joy over the pro-
gress the Liberal reform party achieved
at Baltimore. The demonstrations on
Lafayette square, and in other portions of
our city, soon after the news had been
telegraphed here that the Democracy of
the country, through their representatives
assembled at Baltimore, had proclaimed
itself in favor of the principles and candi-
dates of the Liberal party, were sufficient
even to make holder men than the thinkers
hide their faces. These demonstrations,
unlike the feeble ones that had just been
attempted by few individuals styling
themselves the Democratic State Central
and Reform State Central Committees of
Louisiana, were indubitable evidence that
the people in this State are backing up
the leaders of the Liberal party. The
handful of men that compose the organ
izations that have combined for the pur-
pose of running straight Democratic
ticket have done so with a view of defeat
ing Governor Warmoth, if he should be
the candidate of the Liberal party for
Governor. 1t would seem as if they look
beyond this contingency, and have a hope
that they can force the Liberal convention,
which is to meet in this city on the fifth of
next month to nominate a State ticket, to
accept their candidate Hon. John Nc
Enery-for Governor. But, however much
the Liberals may respect Mr.. McEnery's
talents and moral qualifications for the
Office, we question very much whether
they will be driven by the two committees
referred to-pretty much all that is left of
the Democratic and Reform parties-into
a measure that would have a decided Demo-
cratic ring. The Liberal party, for the
sake Of reform, is anxious to combine the
votes of men of all parties who honestly
desire therestoration Of good government
all over the land; but it evidently does not
wish to be understood as favoring the re-
vival of the old Democratic party in this
State for that purpose; nor would the Lib
eral party. for the sake of gaining a por-
ton of the political patronage of the State,
be willing to make a combination with
another party, when such union must re-
suit in a sacrifice of principle.
Principle is the political touchstone of
the new party baptized at Cincinnati. The
pure and able men who went there to give
birth to party saw that the principles of
the government had been perverted by the
old parties, and that new one was neces-
sary to bring government back to a
healthy condition. The country had -suf-
fered under Democratic administration
by a serious departure from the principles
of the constitution; and the country is
now in danger from like causes under a
Republican administration. The Liberal
party was inaugurated to overcome this
danger. It is engaged in q work that has
got to be thoroughly done; patchwork
will not answer; nor can few thinkers
mend the matter. 1t requires the aid Of
the people, independent of the old party
organizations, under the lead of skilliul
men pledged to the work of reform.
Factions can not be encouraged or even
tolerated in times like these, for their ten
dency is to keep the people divided, and
render them powerless for maintaining
their rights.
The Liberal party is engaged in the
work Of uniting the people who favor re-
form. Leading Democrats and Repub-
Hcans from every State in the Union met
in Cincinnati, and agreed to resist on the
hastings and at the ballot-box the re-elec-
ton of President Grant His selfish,
arbitrary and unjust administration,
backed up by an army of ofice-holders
and servile majority in both houses Of
Congress, led these honest advocates of
self-goYernment to forget their partisan
proclivities for the time being, and rally
to the standard of the people. They
set forth their platform, unfurled their
banner of reform, nominated Greeley and
Brown-good and true men-as their
standard-bearers, and have gone bravely
to the work Of Kidding the country Of
Grantsm and radicalism.
The Reform movement had mel with
great success when over seven hundred
delegates of the Democracy met in BaIti-
more, and, .burYing all old issues, ae-
cepted the platform" of the Liberal
party and its honored candidates, and
agreed to join hands with the Liberals in
the work Of relieving the country Of the
dangers that beset it.
1t was the generous succor given to the
Liberal movement at Baltimore that
aroused cur people, without distinction of
old party ties, and brought them together
IN such vast numbers on last Wednesday
evening The JOY and enthusiasm eyinced
upon that occasion were gratifying essur-
anees thatthey willwork for reform, State.
and national, under the Liberal banner:
and that they viii sternly set their faces