New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-17
AN IMPORTANT POLITICAL DOCU,
MENT.

Circular
The Liberal Republicans of Louisiana to their Po
itical Friends throughout the Union:
The undersigned have determined to
Louisiana the prOpriety of attending the
Cincinnati convention, to assemble on the
first of Nav
statement of our reasons for SO doing
Is both necessary and proper. .r.
Pursuing policy in other States similar
to that practiced here. in 1877 the otfice-hold-
ers Of General Grant have packed conven-
tons and sent delegates to Philadelphia in
structed to vote for his denomination for
this movement disqualities the delegate and
proscribes his attendance. In this mode
public sentiment has been forestalled, and
the trusted leaders of the Republican party
Ostracised. To such an extent has this work
progressed that it is now evident that the
Philadelphia convention will be composed
almost exclusively of the personal friends
and dependents of the President, who go
there to register simply foreordained de-
cree.
We do not favor the reelection of General
Grant as President, and even should he be
nominated at Philadelphia, will only con-
sent to support him in case we have not the
opportunity of voting, with a favorable
prospect OF election, for a ticket of Repub-
leans fully committed to the principles and
traditions of that great party.
There being little or no doubt of the re-
nomination of General Grant at Philadel-
familiar with the course of his administra-
ton, especially in this State, to counsel to-
gether and determine what is the wise and
patriotic course to pursue. Here the Presi-
dent has permitted his office-holders to use
the CustomhOuse building for the purposes
of a party convention closing its doors and
permitting no one to enter it for one whole
day, without ticket issued by the United
States marshal, and delivered by the post
master through the gate of the money ORDER
department of the pOstotfice.
On the pretense Of an apprehended dis
turbance, $50 persons were armed and
sworn, and labeled deputy marshals, and
supported by 100 United States troops
drawn up in line of battle in the Custom
house. Out of ll8 delegates regularly
elected to the convention, ninety were re-
fused admission to the courtroom, where
the marshal, postmaster and collector. act
convene. General Grant was fully advised
of all these proceedings by special COM
mittee Of the Republican party, and re-
fused to disavow them. The entire press
of the country reprehended this gross in
trusionl with military and office holding vio-
lence into the domestic affairs of this State,
and begged him to dismiss the instruments
of the wrong. Having been himself the
principal, he refused to dismiss his agents.
The same federal otfice-holders, gathering
fresh inspiration and courage from their re-
tentiOn in place against the protest Of the
nation, next conspired together for the
overthrow Of the State government. In
order to accomplish their revolutionary
purpose, they employed in the Custom
house large number of Senators and
Representatives, with the sole view of con-
trolling their votes and action in the Leg
islature A number OF these persons have
duty for the government in pursuance of
their appointment, but have regularly
drawn their pay.
In their effort to destroy the State gov
eminent they used an armed revenue cutter
to take beyond the authority OF the State
for several days, fifteen Senators, six of
whom were CustOmhOuse officials, with the
avowed purpose of breaking quorum of
the Senate. For nineteen days this was
continued, when they returned, backed by a
mob which publicly threatened violence.
Federal troops we're brought here on the
application of these cOnspirators with the
purpose of giving force and moral support
to their movement, and when they found
that the patriotic General in command
would not allow himself to be made their
tool and would use the troops to preserve
the peace, these same conspirators caused
the removal of the troops without the city
in order that the mob might proceed with
its violence, and this notwithstanding a call
had been made by the Legislature, properly
organized, on the President. as prescribed
by the constitution, for troops to protect
the public property of the State.
These same cOnspiratOrs next caused a
United States commissioner to issue war
rants for the arrest OF fOu, Senators and
twenty-five members of the House, on the
frivolous preteXts of violating the Ku- klux
shals from the Capitol few moments be-
fore the session of the Leg islature, in order
to enable an INSCRIPTIONS minority in the
House to expel enough members in the in
term to allow them to carry out their
schemes of revolution and violence.
BY aiding, supporting and indorsing these
conspiratOrs, General Grant has voluntari
~ assumed the responsibility of their &C.
tons. Not only this, but he has treated all
renonstrance with supreme contempt
Actuated solely by ambition and. the spirit
of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, he has been ever prompt
to use United States bayOnets in support OF
his own selfish purposes. He has maintained
in office men VIGOROUSLY incompetent and
inimical to both the interests of the party
and those OF the community at large. tie
has never hesitated to trample upon or sci
aside the principles of the Republican party
| when they interfered with his private aims
or desires. In fact, he recognizes his pub
lie and political duty as subordinate to his
personal interests.
These are some of the considerations that
impel us to recommend participation in
the proceedings OF the convention at Gin
cinnati, and there to take such action as
wisdom and patriotism may dictate.
This convention will be composed of many
of the leading minds of the Republican par
| ty, and is exclusively gathering of the
members of that party. Many of those who
will be present have made illustrious records
| of devotion to the Republican principles
and are historically identified with the
proudest of Republican triumphs. But they
will be men of independent character and
fearless purpose-not prepared to bow the
knee to the Baal Of personal despotism-
men who are in favor Of Republican gov
| eminent in the United States, and who be
lieve we are in supreme peril of losing it.
ADJUSTMENTS.