New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-11
BEWARE OF THE OLD LEAvBN.

the dogmas we have inherited from our
fathers are falsities; that the conduct
based upon those dogmas has been unjust
and injurious, and to set about an lmme-
date and thorough change-this IS IN
deed hard; doubly hard when such change
is the dictate of the mind only, and every
feeling Of the heart, every instinct OF pas
sion, every tie of habit, is utterly aYerse
to it; hard almost to impossibility when
such change is the dictate Of necessity
alone, and mind as well as heart are unlike
unreconciIed to it. Yet this is precisely
the condition of the rank and file Of
the Democratic party Of this country
at the present time. For years they
have been struggling against the tide
Of progress, which, rising in the far North
an humble stream, impeded at every step
| by the rocks Of prejudice, has gradually
risen, fed from innumerable sources, flow
ing onward toward the South, until it
finally submerged the whole country,
| sweeping away IN its irresistible course all
| the landmarks with which its opposers
had hedged in their domain. The Demo-
cratic leaders thus finding themselves so
thoroughly defeated that they have neither
| banner nor war cry left by which to
rally their dispersed and disheartened fol-
lowers, agree to ''accept the situation" 60
over to the opposite camp, strike hands
with such of their former opponents as can
be induced to trust them and seek to obtain
the best terms they can preparatory to a
new conflict on fresh fields To drop
figures, the Democratic party as
such does not propose to struggle
openly any longer against the
the political principles settled by the war
and by the resoluteIy expressed will Of the
majority Of the people in every general
election throughout the country for the
last eight years. It admits the force Of
the constitutional amendments, and in
yites the support of that class Of our citi-
zens whose declared unftness for citizen
ship was it's former rallying cry. 1t pro-
fesses to have abandoned it's old dogmas,
and to be solicitous only for reform, under
the existing state of things. Can it be
trusted? That is the question. Can our
newly made citizens feel a hearty conf
dence in the sincerity of those professions
so opposed to lifelong prejudices and
confirmed habit and, forgetting the
debt Of gratitude they owe to the
Republican party, pledged to the COM
pletion Of its work and the firm estab-
lishment of its triumphant principles
trust themselves in the hands of
friends SO new, and whose friendship
smacks SO much Of self-interest3 For in
this State at least the Liberal party is
composed almost exclusively Of Demo-
crats-those who risked life and fortune
to defeat the principles which they now
profess to support-the political equality
of all citizens, irrespective of race color
or former condition. Such change ree
quires some pledge of sincerity. Have |
the Democratic leaders of the ICON fusion
ticket in this State given any such pledge? |
any that is sufficient to satisfy the jeal-
Gus caution Of men wronged so long as to
be made suspicious? Is the nomination |
Of such men, born and lifelong Demo.
cratso for the chief political positions in
the State such a pledge? is the
absence from their ticket Of pro
and conspicuous Republicans
such a pledge? And if their sincerity is
not assured by the well-known characters
Of the Democratic leaders, is it made more
certain by the hearty conversion to true
Of their followers? Do the
notices and transparencies which adorn
heir professions evince a cordial welcome
o the new element which they invite to
heir support &" No DISTINCTIONS ON Ac-
,oUNT OF Colon !" "PoLtTIcAL Equality
FOR ALL I" trace No GUIDE IN THE
yHoICE OF RULERS Y Are such. the notices
hat emblazon their banners? Not SO; but
instead, that old, bitter appeal to the pre-
adice of race " WHITE SUPREMACY !,
: THIS IS A WHITE MANS GOVERNMENT =
rowing that the old leaYen still lives. Is
here not danger that under favorable cir
warmed by the fire of official
over, it may regain strength enough to
saven the whole lump?
Republicans should look toit that what
as been gained at such cost shall not be
ghtly risked; that the practical establish
lent Of principle so newly received as
lat Of the political equality of all citizens
hall not be entrusted to those who stead
.stly opposed them until compelled to
ocept them. No prudent garrison would !
i've up the command Of a. rewly con
lered citadel to its defeated defenders L
IMPLY because they had yielded to supe- :
or force, and then proclaimed their L
adiness to enlist under the conquering =
inner.
yE OF OUR 'RBDEBMERS0 IN A PASSION, e
Mr.. Hugh McCloskey, who is just now 6
curing as one of the sell appointed IRE u