New Orleans Republican., 1872-05-02
First Ward Republicans.

At an enthusiastic nesting of the First
Ward Repu blicau Mother Club last evening
presided over by Mr.. j. P. Murphy, acting
president, Mr.. Fred. A. johnson said in sub
stance:
NV friends and felIow-citizens-Th com
pliment of your request for me to address
you is a recommendation Of your confidence
in my Judgment, and, in Justice to you and
myself demands caution as to my remarks
at so grave moment in public affairs.
Within the portals of this club room many
recruits, anxious to participate in the lib
eral advantages of Our American govern
ment, more brilliantly advanced by the
great Republican party, have assembled
around men who have saved the Union, to
assist them in its perpetuatiOn, while others
more hOnOred and favored have sought self
glOrifcatiOn and Imperialism under the ma
jesty of Gatling guns, bayOnets and the
dictatiOn of federal appeintees.
This is the great characteristic of our
present federal government that has
caused the republic to back its gigantic
sails, and for the moment cast anchor at
the Cincinnati convention to deliberate
upon the future, and to ascertain whether
the present President of this people as
sumes the position of public master or a
servant of the people who hOnOred him
with their confidence.
Upon the deliberations and conclusions
of these great men will in a great measure
depend the future action Of this club-
small, true in numbers, but nevertheless an
atom that forms part of our government.
Therefore, on this point, say, let us await
their action before indOrslng measures that
are vet to be promulgated.
1t would be unmanly in me to criticise
the intentions of my party friends or
enemies, and unwise To condemn un-
developed measures of reform in our own
I = Of ba
policy OF men from the North to longer
hold that terror of slavery and previous
condition" over the black man. Time has
developed the colOred man in his capacity
of an Individual thinker, and forever closed
the arguments of white men as advocates
of slavery. Parties rise and fall through
leadership, but principle remains the prop
erty of a Republican voter, with power,
well conducted, to promote honorable men
and destroy ambitious cyclists.
Seltishness to great degree has marked
the passing administration. The great
Farragut, whose sky scrapers brushed
away the clouds that mOmentarily Os5cured
our Southern States from the blue of our
Union, has gone to the grave; and Major
Anderson, who felt the first blow in the
past war at Fort Sumter, and so gallantlY
defended it as to command the admiration
of his enemies and the compliments of
Beauregard, has followed him, less thought
of. less rewarded than the unknown rela-
ton who demands political support, ave,
even at the mouths of cannon and the
points of bayonets.
1 do not make these remarks anticipating
any hasty action upon what may be done
in the Cincinnati convention. Nor do /
think for one moment this great club will
ask the postofice for a ticket-Ofleave to
vote with the CustOmhOuse party, for they
have no party, but ring, that does not
ring like true metal; and it requires ex-
Dlanation as to future movements, whether
fhe people Of this and other States vote as
citizens or slaves to imperial masters.
Through the liberality Of our Republican
Dartv, guided by judgment and equity to
all men, yet expect to see the wings of
the American eagle stretched protecungly
over the whole of North and South America
and the West Indies, and the United States
government a terror to tyIauts at home and
abroad.