New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-13
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
The Word Reform-The True Reformer-
All Parties Guiity-RebeIIion from tie
Party Lnsh,

Although Webster defines reform to b
e. amendment Of what is defective, viciou
corrupt or depraved' the word is one {
]. the best abused and most misused in tn
English language. 1t is equally weapo
J. in the hands of the pure statesman, til
demagogue, the fanatic or the rioter.
. receives a popular Interpretation from tn
time, place, the man and the manner il
which it is used; and from its commonness
its instrumentality in abetting tso Otter
vicious objects and ends, it is greeted viii
uncertainty and even sounds harshly to the
ear. When Victor Hugo uses the word
1 you have vague impression of working
men nncrowniDg kings preparatory to a
universal republic: Garibaldi, scampering
of the Pope and priesthood over the Alps;
John Stuart Mill, textbooks in the work
mans cottage, a limited days work, women
III the universities and at the polls; Wen
dell Phillips, the dropping Of chains from
the slave and an upsetting Of rumshops;
George William Curtis, delicate outline of
honesty and capability in the civil service
OF the nation; but Bourbon newspaper
or orator uses the word recklessly, and in
SO unintelligible manner as to defy any
definite conception whatever
The citizen who is really solicitous for
reform in its true sense is sadly perplexed
IN Louisiana to-day. He finds two parties
contending for his vote, two tickets and two
evils; he is anxious to choose the least, or
he will take neither. He calmly surveys
fia1 nd aiD ~ L:
| hberately, knowing that his vote is valuable,
and if it's not cast in accordance with the
| most practical comprehensive ideas of re-
form, as they may be conveyed to him, it
will be negligently or criminalIy cast.
Louisiana needs the vote of all her sons
"both native and adopted" say the fusion
lists, but no creed, human or divine, com
pels man to vote contrary to the dictates
OF his own conscience, and such a vote can
never be cast by a true reformer. The com
mittees have doctored the Liberal ticket
That was their province, but the people
will do their own voting.
To properly form judgment on the two
parties it is necessary to compare their
records. What are the facts The candid
man must admit that both of the existing
parties make pretensions of reform, contain
good men; and both are entitled to respect
because each represents large body of the
people. Both parties are guilty of unwise
and imnolitic action; neither can claim, |
with fairness that their hands are free from |
corruption. They must be judged by their |
acts, and not by their words. Repu bIicans |
and Democrats assisted in the passage of
the sWindling laws that increased the debt
OF the State, and necessarily the rate of tax
alton. careful reading of the journals of
the Legislature will demonstrate that under
the operation OF the two-thirds rule it was
often in the power Of Democrats to close
they did not. While Republicans were
in power by the negro vote the
Democrats welded the majority of wealth
and intelligence, and only their persistent
adherence to old and exploded issues pre-
vented them from enjoying the confidence
and acquiring Office at the hands of the ne
gro. Indeed, it is sad commentary upon
5he perverseness of man, that ignorance
should so etfectually combat wealth and in
as is demonstrated in the con-
jest of the negro for his rights through the
Republican party as against the Demo cratic
oarty, which pronounced against them.
If Democrats could have yielded to wise
counsel in 1868 and in 1870, and, instead of
he policy they pursued, they had cheer
ully accepted the situation of the negro
md by that means have allowed him to
ease as disturbing element in State pol
ties, there can be no doubt we should have
'een saved from the contemplation of the
'ad credit and unsettled condition Of the
tate to-day. Parties would not have been
rawn according to race antagonisms or
1terests, but on real reform issues and pro I
9cts Of public Improvement and the de-
lands Of commerce would become the
bsorbing topics From the close of the I
ar to the present the State has suffered G
ON constant and periodical agitations of I
sues that should be considered as dead, g
nd these agitations have had their blight 4
lg effects upon every condition of society.
he man who tells the people that the Rad
al party alone, or the Democratic party
one, is responsible for paraiyzing legisIa- 6,
on, is either a superficial observer, no OBJ :,
ryer at all, cheat or knave. 1t is time -
lat sensible men should begin to compre. 9.
End this, and that the Bourbon appeals h
r the sake of "wife, children and all thew n
I'D dear" they must vote the fusion or .,
" other ticket, should be set down as a +
grading type Of political clap-trap. ic
are true men and true elements in Il
parties, politicians to the contrary not 81
and no real correction of ri
yious legislation can take place until by
me means the elements can be grouped pc
der one banner, with reform as the sole dr
ssion. The Liberal movement was be- ev
n In this State by Republicans who were wi
termined to unite with every favorable ict
ment and battle for the good Of the State. ri,
ey were met half way By a portion of pa
} Democratic party, which recognized la
} blunders their own party had com Gu
tied, and teIt that new avenue must be ex
lght for success. The old rings broken be-
the old leaders set aside, the Liberal SUI
'tY proposed to set up new standard
srers and form what every interest of the
tie demands-a peoples party, free from
ID issues and only consecrated to the -
ng. Evil influences surrounded the ="
gention and it sweryed somewhat from
original purpose, but a large number of -ail M
,ublicans greeted with intense satisfae-